Los Frailes Beach: Is It Worth the Visit?
The coast of Ecuador offers some truly beautiful beaches, but in my opinion, Los Frailes was one of the best beaches we visited and is absolutely worth the visit! Since it is a protected beach inside Machalilla National Park, your experience won’t be same as visiting any other beach.
There are no hotels, no beach bars, and no vendors lining the shore. Instead, you’re met with clean sand, blue water, and beautiful views. If you’re spending time in Puerto López and want to experience the coast at its best, Los Frailes absolutely deserves a spot on your list.
How To Get To Los Frailes From Puerto López
Los Frailes beach is 20 min drive north of Puerto Lopez, and getting there is fairly straightforward. You have a few different options depending on your budget, time, and how flexible you want your day to be.
By Car
If you have access to a car, this is one of the easiest ways to visit Los Frailes. You’ll drive north from Puerto López and pay $2 parking fee at the park entrance. Foreigners are required to register with their passport, which only takes a few minutes.
The beach parking lot is about 300 meters from the entrance. You can take your car to the parking lot and the beach access is right there from the parking lot. Having a car also makes things simpler when it comes to food. Since food and drinks are not allowed on the beach, you can keep your food in the car and come out to eat whenever you feel like.
By Taxi
Taxis from Puerto López can drop you off directly at the beach entrance. This is a good option if you don’t want to deal with parking or driving yourself.
One important tip is to agree on a pickup time in advance. There’s no cell signal at the beach, and taxis don’t wait around, so having a plan to get back will save you stress later in the day.
By Bus and Tuk Tuk
This is the most budget-friendly option, but it requires a bit more patience. From Puerto López, take a green bus heading north on Ruta del Spondylus road. This is the same bus that you use if you want to visit other towns like Ayampe or Olon from Puerto Lopez. Ask the driver to drop you at the Los Frailes entrance.
From there, you have two choices. You can hike about 3 km to the beach, or you can take a tuk tuk. During peak season from June to October, there are usually plenty of tuk tuks waiting. But in the off-season, like January when we visited, there may only be one or two available, and you might have to wait.
If you’re visiting during a quieter time of year, it’s worth keeping this in mind when planning your day. If you do plan to hike, consider the heat as it gets really hot!
READ MORE: Taking The Bus From Cuenca To Puerto Lopez, Ecuador
Entry Fees And Park Hours
Los Frailes is part of Machalilla National Park, so there are a few rules and small costs to be aware of before you go. Nothing complicated, but knowing this in advance helps avoid surprises.
There is no entry fee to access Los Frailes beach itself, which is one of the reasons it’s such good value. However, there are a few small charges inside the park:
Parking costs $2 if you’re arriving by car.
Umbrella rental is $4 if you want some shade on the beach.
Using the washrooms costs $0.25 per visit.
Showers are available for $1 if you want to rinse off after swimming.
Park hours are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you plan to hike, it’s important to know that access to the trails closes after 2:00 pm. This means you’ll need to arrive earlier in the day if hiking is a priority.
Because this is a protected area, park staff do enforce the rules. These limits help keep the beach clean and prevent overcrowding, especially during busy months.
Food Rules And What To Know Before You Go
Food is not allowed inside the park, and this is taken seriously. While bags may not always be checked at the main entrance, they are checked again at the beach access point near the parking lot. That’s where our bags were inspected.
If you’re driving, the best approach is to eat before entering the park, enjoy your time at the beach, and then eat again once you leave. You can keep food in your car, but it must stay there.
If you’re arriving by bus or taxi, it’s especially important to eat a proper meal beforehand. There are no food stalls on the beach, and you won’t find places selling meals inside the park.
Near the parking lot, there are a few small souvenir shops where you can buy water, drinks, and ice cream, but no proper food. Planning ahead will make your day much more comfortable, especially if you’re spending several hours swimming or hiking.
READ MORE: Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for Cuenca, Ecuador (2026 Guide)
Hiking At Los Frailes: Miradores And Trail Options
Los Frailes isn’t just about the beach. If you enjoy walking and viewpoints, the hiking trails here add a completely different layer to the experience. You don’t have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy them, but timing and heat make a big difference.
There are a few options depending on how much you want to do.
The Short Hikes to the Miradores
We didn’t plan on doing the full loop, mainly because we wanted to spend more time in the water. Instead, we chose two viewpoints, which felt like the perfect balance for the day.
We hiked to Mirador Fragatas first, which took about 20 minutes. The trail is straightforward but exposed, and even that short walk feels intense under the sun if you go later in the day. From there, we continued to Mirador Tortuga, another 10 to 15 minutes.
The views from these miradores are worth the effort. You can see the coastline stretching out, the contrast between the dry landscape and the blue water, and just how untouched this area still feels. During whale season, you may even be able to see whales from above!
You can also visit a third mirador and be back within about an hour if you move at a relaxed pace.
READ MORE: Best Day Hikes Around Cuenca, Ecuador
The Full Loop Hike
For those who want more, there’s a full loop trail that takes around 2 to 3 hours to complete. This route connects all the miradores and gives you a more complete view of the park.
We didn’t do the full loop, mainly because the heat was intense by the time we arrived and we didn’t want to rush our beach time. If hiking is your main goal, it’s best to start early in the morning when the park opens at 8:00 am.
You can also ask for information at the information desk in the parking lot.
Finding the Trailhead
The trailhead is not right at the beach entrance. Once you enter the beach area from the parking lot, turn right and walk along the shore. Keep walking until you reach the far end of the beach. That’s where you’ll find the trailhead for the miradores.
Where To Eat After Visiting Los Frailes?
By the time we left Los Frailes, we were starving. The kind of hungry where you don’t want to think or wait, you just want food, immediately.
As we exited the park, we took a left and ended up in the small town of Machalilla. That’s where we found a local spot called Sabor Esmeraldeño, and honestly, it ended up being one of the best meals we had on the coast.
We ordered encocado, a traditional coastal dish from northern Ecuador made with coconut. It was rich, flavorful, and deeply comforting after a long day in the sun. We were traveling with Ecuadorian friends from the north coast, and even they said this was one of the most authentic encocados they’d had.
For $5, we got a huge portion of food which is half of what you’d pay in Puerto López for the same dish. The restaurant closes around 5:00 pm, so it’s best to go straight after leaving the park.
If you have time, Machalilla is also a nice place to stay a bit longer and watch the sunset before heading back. It’s quiet, local, and feels like a natural extension of the day rather than rushing straight back.
Final Thoughts
Los Frailes is the kind of place that stays with you because of its simplicity. A protected and a beautiful beach and just enough hiking to make the swim feel earned.
We didn’t try to see or do everything, and that was the best part. Instead, we chose what mattered most to us. Time in the water, a short hike for the views, and a relaxing afternoon under the sun.
If you’re visiting Puerto López and want a beach that feels natural, quiet, and well cared for, Los Frailes is absolutely worth your time. Go prepared, respect the park rules, and let the day unfold at its own pace.
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