BAHIA DE CARAQUEZ

The city lies on a small peninsula in the mouth of the Chone River and used to be the main commercial port of Ecuador. A devastating earthquake in the 1990's, which nearly destroyed the city and the El Niño phenomenon both had a huge impact on the economy of the region and the population structure changed dramatically. Thanks to many ecological projects set up in the whole area, Bahia was declared an Eco-City in 1999. Every year the city welcomes tourist from both Ecuador and abroad. The hotel infrastructure combined with the pleasant weather all year round are among the main attractions of this beautiful destination, which can be a base for all water sports, including jet skiing, water skiing, wake boarding, diving or surfing. The nearby eco-reserve of the Isla del Corazon is a bird watcher paradise, with huge roosts of frigate birds, herons and pelicans in the unique biotope of the native mangroves.