Muisne: Almost Your Own Island
One of the most remote beach destinations in Ecuador, Muisne is a small island fishing community located some 42km (26 miles) southwest of Atacames. There's no road directly here, although the buses leaving Esmeraldas and Atacames will say MUISNE. The buses leave you at a small pier in the village of El Relleno, from which you take one of the nearly constant little boats across the Río Muisne to the island. The fare is 20¢ (15p). The boat-taxis run throughout the daylight hours and often into the early evening. Pedal-powered Ecotaxis await the boat-taxis and will take you to the tiny village, and anywhere else on the island, for $1 (65p). There are only a couple of places to stay on the island. The beachfront Hostal Playa Paraíso (tel. 06/2480-192) is your best bet, with rustic rooms and individual cabins going for $10 to $20 (£6.65-£13) for a double. The beach in Muisne is long, broad, and almost always nearly deserted. Ask at the hotel or around town, and you should be able to organize a boat tour through nearby mangroves. Aside from that and sunbathing, there's not much else to do here except enjoy the beach, sea, and tranquillity.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
