Las Tunas
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Whale watching
Best known for
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Jun–Sep
Whale season
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~190 km
From La Libertad
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Hanging bridges
Inland attraction
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Overview
Las Tunas is one of the northernmost communities on the Santa Elena section of the Ruta del Spondylus (E-15), situated close to the point where the highway enters Manabí Province and approaching Puerto López. It is a quiet fishing and agricultural community — less well-known than Ayampe or Montañita — but rewarding for visitors who arrive in the right season.
Las Tunas sits in the whale-watching corridor where humpback whales pass particularly close to shore between June and September on their annual northward migration. The combination of the whale season, the hanging bridges over the jungle streams behind the village, and the consistently fresh seafood makes Las Tunas a worthwhile stop for travellers who have pushed north past the main Spondylus towns.
Whale Watching
Between June and September, humpback whales migrate northward through the offshore waters. Las Tunas is positioned where the whales pass in relatively close proximity to shore — closer than at many points further south — and the beach and headland above the village are both good vantage points for shore-based watching.
Early morning and late afternoon tend to produce the most sightings. Binoculars are useful. For closer viewing, boat tours depart from nearby Puerto López (approximately 20 minutes north), which is the main hub for whale-watching tours in the region and offers departures with certified guides from June through September.
Hanging Bridges & Inland Access
Behind the village, a network of suspension bridges crosses the streams and small rivers that descend from the hills above Las Tunas. The bridges are accessible on foot from the village and offer an easy, low-intensity nature walk through vegetation that is considerably greener and denser than the dry coastal scrub further south. The streams below the bridges support herons, kingfishers, and iguanas year-round.
The bridges are a community initiative and are maintained by local residents. A small entrance contribution may be requested; this goes directly to the community.
Food
Las Tunas is a fishing community and the seafood is correspondingly good and fresh. Small comedores serve ceviche, sopa marinera, and grilled whole fish at prices that reflect the absence of tourist infrastructure. Fish arrives from the boats in the morning and is typically sold out by early afternoon — eat early.
Getting There
From the Sumpa Bus Terminal (Santa Elena): northbound buses on the E-15 toward Puerto López or Manta (~4–4.5 hours, approximately $4). Ask to be dropped at Las Tunas. Buses pass regularly during the day.
From Ayampe: 5 minutes north by bus. From Puerto López (Manabí): approximately 20 minutes south.
See Also
- Portal:Ruta del Spondylus — route overview
- Whale Watching — full guide for the route
- Ayampe — community to the south
- La Rinconada — cliff viewpoint to the south