Esmeraldas
The island of La Tolita, approximately 120 km. north of the city of Esmeraldas, is a rich archaeological area which was inhabited by the pre-Columbian civilisation of La Tolita, one of the most outstanding in Ecuador (500 BC to 500 AD.). Their people crafted ceramic, gold and platinum. There is an on-site museum looked after by the community. Very near, lie giant mangrove swamps which rise from the blue waters of this part of the Pacific.

Manabí
In Machalilla National Park , which begins 80 km. to the south of Portoviejo, is Agua Blanca which contains remains of a settlement from the Manteño period. Today you can still see several stone foundations of its former buildings. In the same area are Salango and the Valley of Agua Blanca. In the former, a museum dedicated to the Boatmen of the South Sea stands out, with objects form the Valdivia, Chorrera-Engoroy, Machalilla, Guangala, Bahía and Manteña cultures. The latter has sites which are over 5,000 years old, such as a ceremonial manteño site.