45 kilometers north of Pedernales is Cojimíes, an ideal space of nature to share with family or with the company of friends. There you can enjoy beaches, gastronomy and adventure tourism; You can do sports or place a tent to enjoy the sun or a spectacular view of the sea.
Estuary sightseeing
Recreational activities such as rowing a boat through its warm waters are practiced in the Cojimíes River estuary.
The Cojimíes River estuary, which extends for 32 kilometers and separates the Isla del Amor beach from Cojimíes beach, is an ideal setting for nature tourism through the mangroves and water sports such as skiing and sport fishing.
“Here we have a free environment for practicing water sports. We rent scooters for $15, boogie boards for $20, and water skiing for $15; even more, tourists will have the opportunity to rent boats for $12 and practice sport fishing with the community members of the area”, explains Luis Andrade, a tourism promoter in Cojimíes.
Island for lovers
Near the Cojimíes beach is the Isla del Amor, which is surrounded by crystal clear waters and a heart shape.
A romance route in the north of Manabí is in Cojimíes. Those who come to this tourist attraction can rest or take a river walk on the Isla del Amor, located in front of the beautiful Cojimíes beach. There, couples or entire families begin the experience by disembarking on a fine sandy beach.
Couples hold hands and walk barefoot. In this corner of tourism in Cojimíes you can enjoy the breeze of the mangroves, you can explore the river estuary aboard boats, to observe the flora and fauna of the area.
Luis Gallardo, another of the tour guides, comments that to get to the island you must rent a boat for $5 per person on Cojimíes beach. The tour takes approximately 10 minutes.
“The island is desolate, with a precise environment for lovers of peace and tranquility; Of course, the name itself says it, Isla del Amor, that is, an ideal place to be with your partner and be at the peace of the sea”, says the guide Gallardo, who stresses that it is also ideal for the family.
Birds of Cojimies
In Cojimíes a large number of birds such as herons and friendly boobies that catch tourists.
Gallardo comments that approximately 10 minutes from Cojimíes is the Mache Chindul Ecological Reserve. There you will be able to observe wild birds and animals, in addition to taking unique photos in this coastal wooded area. “A great variety of birds and animals, which coexist with streams and waterfalls, await tourists who seek direct contact with nature, true peace is felt here”, the guide expressed.
Gastronomy
On the shores of Cojimíes beach, a variety of dishes made from shellfish and green plantains are offered.
Among the variety of shellfish fresh from the sea, bathers will be able to request delicious typical dishes. María Albear, owner of the Niño Divino restaurant, located very close to the beach, provides more details about the dishes to be served: "We offer a variety of dishes such as shrimp ceviche, breaded shrimp, seafood platter, fried sea bass, garlic crabs, among many and exquisite dishes accessible from $5 to $15", he refers.
Lodging
- Cojimíes has a good hotel infrastructure, some even with swimming pools and all services. The prices of the rooms in the establishments are comfortable and accessible to all tourists. Here two examples:
- Hotel Santorini. It is located in front of the Cojimíes beach. The rooms are priced from $40 per person per night.
- Hostería La Finquita. It is in front of the Cojimíes beach. Prices start at $45 per person per night.
¿How to get?
To travel to Cojimíes you have to get to the Pedernales canton. If you are going from the city of Quito, you should go to the Quitumbe bus terminal to take the buses of the Aloag cooperative or Kennedy transport. And if you are in Guayaquil from the Terrestrial Terminal you can take units from the Coactur and Reina del Camino cooperatives. From Esmeraldas you can also reach Pedernales in a trip of about 2 hours 30 minutes. (I)
