This new tourist attraction is one of the funkiest beach places in Ecuador. This place is rocking every day of the year and it's always hot so you never need a sweater.

Montanita's surf scene is very active. There are waves here every day of the year and is a good spot for beginner surfers. Many backpackers come here from all over the world. This place is fun, cheap and offers various types of budget accommodations from camp sites $2 USD a night to more expensive hotels with varying prices for accommodations.

The nightlife scene is very active as well and mostly gets busy during the weekends as well as during the popular, annual carnival. Backpackers and extranjeros enjoy yummy cocktails for cheap prices and there are currently 3 nightclubs with a few more being built in. During the weekends many locals from Guayaquil come here to spend the weekend.

The music, while eclectic to say the least isn’t exactly what you’re rushing home to download on your ipod. The fun times though are exactly what you’re looking for in Motanita.

1. Surfing.

The beach is great. No rocks! There are many surf rentals but one specific company I have to recommend is called Sweet Surf : www.sweetsurfecuador.com

They have the best surf guides if you looking for an instructor and are great teachers of this incredibly difficult sport.

A MiniHostels card will get you a free lycra shirt when you rent a board in Sweet Surf Ecuador and a 10% discount as well.

Prices start from USD $ 4 per hour or  $6 per 2 hours or less if you rent for the whole day. A cool couple from Sweden and Ecuador offer local horseback riding for USD $25 for the day and there are spa services.

2. Recommended hostels in Montañita

Surfing Inn Hostal: Very cheap $5-$10  per night with a good location.

Rosa Mística: This place is located right after the point to the other side of the Montañita beach where some backpackers but mainly surfers like to hung out.

Hostel Montezuma: $8-$10 per night, located in the most central part. A bit loud for my taste but is undoubtedly where is happening. Music bars and singles could sum this hostel up in three words. The owner's name is Martin. Montezuma hostel has rooms with private bathrooms and showers with sea view.

Funky Monkey Hostel Montanita in the Centro commercial has a nice restaurant in the lobby.

Hostal Casa Grande: from  $8 per night the only place that includes breakfast with the bed fare.

Hotel Montanita: is a central hotel with many youngsters dancing every night on the Terrace. Be warned – its loud!

Hostal Mar del Surf: a cute and cozy place, this hostel has 10 rooms with private bathrooms and hot showers and a guest kitchen for backpackers who like to cook. Here the reception guys will get you any bus ticket around Ecuador for great rates.

Charos Hostal and Restaurant: this fancy hostel in Montañita is also sea side, enjoy!

Hola Ola offers one of the best restaurants in town. Amazing Food at Great Prices! Located in the micro centre of Montañita. Here Israeli backpackers enjoy tasty Israeli food but people from all around the world appreciate the flavors of this Mediterranean restaurant. Hola Ola is like the center of town. The Israeli owners are laid back cool guys and can help you with any advice. Above is a small hostel called Tierra Prometida and the best as well as the fastest Internet in town where you can make international phone calls at some of the cheapest prices. If you are looking for a camping site or accommodation which is a bit less ‘touristic’, just ask Tomer or Shacahr from Hola Ola and they will help. These guys also have a bakery on one of the most central corners in town and you can try the amazing burekas or some shabat jewish bread.

Another cool restaurant is Machu Picchu Restaurant, with a laundry place, salad bars and telefonica.

The most popular club is called Cana Grill. $3 entry and live bands almost every night really bring in the crowds.

If you are looking to buy real estate, Montañita before 2009 is the place to buy. Land is going up here every day.