Manabí district, Ecuador

Places to visit near Manta

Manta is a city in Manabí district, Ecuador, home to about 183,166 people. Within 50 km by road there are 170 places to visit — 34 forts & heritage, 12 hill stations & viewpoints, 32 churches and 20 beaches & coast. The must-see places are El Murcielago (4 km), Barbasquillo (5 km) and Isla de la Plata (66 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Manta on the map

Manta, Ecuador
Manta, Manabí district, Ecuador. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Manta at a glance

Location
Manabí district, Ecuador
Population
about 183,166
Coordinates
0.9621° S, 80.7127° W
Places within 50 km
170 (2 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for forts & heritage; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Manta

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Manta: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Manta, by type

Forts & heritage near Manta

35 forts & heritage within 100 km of Manta. The closest is Memorial 16A (1 km); the best-known is La Casa Rosada (3 km). Best time: october to february.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Manta

33 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Manta. The closest is Colina Mirador (2 km); the best-known is Quebrada S/N (4 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Churches near Manta

33 churches within 100 km of Manta. The closest is Iglesia de Jesucristo SUD (1 km); the best-known is Basilica Virgen Monserrat (14 km). Best time: year-round.

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Beaches & coast near Manta

31 beaches & coast within 100 km of Manta. The closest is Playa Prieta, Río Chico, Portoviejo (1 km); the best-known is El Murcielago (4 km). Best time: october to march.

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Parks near Manta

23 parks within 100 km of Manta. The closest is Virgen de Fátima (1 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Waterfalls near Manta

8 waterfalls within 100 km of Manta. The closest is Urbanización Cascada del Angel (35 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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A one-day trip from Manta

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 14 km on the road.

  1. Start in Manta
  2. 2 km Museo del Mar · museum, Manabí
  3. 1 km Los Esteros Beach · beach, Manabí
  4. 1 km Tarqui Beach · beach, Manabí
  5. 3 km El Murcielago · beach, Manabí
  6. 2 km Barbasquillo · beach, Manabí
  7. 5 km Back to Manta

Plan a longer trip from Manta — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Manta

No traveller has reported from around Manta yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Manta

    All places near Manta by distance

    Within 15 km of Manta

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Manta by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Other attractions3939Salvación Army - Manta Corps (1 km)
    Forts & heritage3435Memorial 16A (1 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints1233Colina Mirador (2 km)
    Churches3233Iglesia de Jesucristo SUD (1 km)
    Beaches & coast2031Playa Prieta, Río Chico, Portoviejo (1 km)
    Parks2323Virgen de Fátima (1 km)
    Waterfalls18Urbanización Cascada del Angel (35 km)
    Museums67Museo del Mar (2 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens25Galápagos (2 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves03Isla Cayo (58 km)
    Temples11Barrio Nueva Esperanza (4 km)
    Caves01Mi Vivienda (77 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs01Poza Honda (80 km)

    Manta: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Manta?

    El Murcielago (beach, about 4 km), Barbasquillo (beach, about 5 km), Museo del Mar (museum, about 2 km), Tarqui Beach (beach, about 2 km), Los Esteros Beach (beach, about 2 km), Museo Municipal Etnográfico Cancebí (museum, about 2 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Manta?

    170 places on Spotwander: 39 other attractions, 34 forts & heritage, 12 hill stations & viewpoints, 32 churches, 20 beaches & coast.

    Which is the nearest fort to Manta?

    Memorial 16A, about 1 km by road; To the Fisherman (1 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Manta?

    Colina Mirador, about 2 km by road; Quebrada S/N (4 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Manta?

    Iglesia de Jesucristo SUD, about 1 km by road; ACYM Cristo El Salvador (1 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Manta?

    Start in Manta, visit Museo del Mar, then Los Esteros Beach, then Tarqui Beach, then El Murcielago, then Barbasquillo, and drive back — about 14 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Manta?

    October to February for forts & heritage; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Manta

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Manta’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Manta on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.