Machalilla National Park

Machalilla National Park is a protected area along western Ecuador's Pacific coast. Established in 1979, it incorporates beaches, fog forests, dry forests, small islands, and two larger islands: Isla Salango and Isla de la Plata.

The National Park covers approximately 75,000 ha (185,000 acres) in Manabí Province near Puerto López and the rural parish of Machalilla, a small fishing village. The diverse area consists of three different regions: the North sector, the South sector, and the Isla de la Plata.

Machalilla National Park is part of the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena hotspot. Wildlife includes armadillos, two monkey species, and more than 270 species of birds. Many of the large mammals in the park are regionally and locally endangered.

Machalilla National Park is the only habitat outside the Galápagos Islands for the waved albatross. The only known records of the Belted Kingfisher in Ecuador also come from the coastland of Ecuador. The ocean regions of the park also provide a breeding ground for humpback whales.

The surrounding forest at the highest altitudes includes areas of rainforest drizzle, similar to the Andean cloud forest—the lower slopes host semi-deciduous and deciduous forests. Marine habitats include cliffs, sandy beaches, rocky shores and low, rugged islands.

The forest toward the coast becomes dry scrub, where vegetation is scrubby and stunted. Species of flora include cacti, such as candelabra cactus, and the most representative trees belong to the families of Mimosaceae and Capparidaceae. In the riparian forest are clusters of bamboo, cane, and large trees (Ficus spp.)

Some human populations inside the park have subsistence farming and livestock areas. The inhabitants are mainly engaged in fishing. However, tourism holds high importance for the local economy in many cases.

The remnants around the park are embedded in a matrix of disturbed areas, dominated by maize, banana, sugarcane and cattle pastures. Several factors, including deforestation, commercial fishing, poaching and the ecological impact of the tourist industry, have threatened Machalilla National Park.

In 1991, The Nature Conservancy, the United States Agency for International Development, and a group of partner organizations across Latin America and the Caribbean began contributing funds for conservation as part of the Parks in Peril (PiP) program.

Isla de la Plata

Isla de la Plata ("Silver Island") is a small island of approximately 5.9 sq km (2.3 sq mi) in size, lying just south of the equator, 37 km (23 mi) off Puerto Lopez, Ecuador. It is part of Machalilla National Park.

Some say the uninhabited island derives its name from the legend that a centuries-old treasure was buried here by Sir Francis Drake, which has never been found. Others say that "silver" refers to the large deposits of guano that stain its dark cliffs.

The island is sometimes called "The Poor Man's Galápagos" because, much like the Galápagos Islands, Isla de la Plata hosts many animal species.

Some species include frigate birds, pelicans, albatrosses and red-billed tropicbirds. Other birds found here include the blue-footed booby, the red-footed booby, and the Nazca booby. In addition, a large population of green sea turtles is located around the island, in addition to many lizards, iguanas, and crabs.

Isla de la Plata is a breeding ground for humpback whales. It is also a critical migration area for oceanic mantas, sharks, three types of rays, and other diverse marine life. Also found here are the South American sea lion and the Galápagos sea lion.

Archaeological evidence indicates that the island was an important offertory and religious center during the pre-Columbian era. In addition, there is a shrine and burial site on the island.