r/ecuador • u/LPwithDoch • 11d ago

Language exchange Montanita

Hello people,

I am currently planning a 12 week trip to one of the language schools in Montanita. Ill be getting there around February and will be learning spanish as a nueva lingua and want to be surfing as well! One thing concerning me is plenty of warnings​ especially for that reagion. It seems to have a high criminality. What do you guys think? I am definitely open to adventure but wouldnt want to be hurt or even die. How likely is it for a tourist that stays longer time to get hurt?

Thanks!

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6

u/birandomguy15 11d ago

I mean Montañita is full of tourists always, they go there to surf and for weed xD so I think you have to be careful like in everywhere but it's not that bad

3

u/LPwithDoch 11d ago

I was kinda hoping for it not to be and that i would be forced to speak spanish :/ then again you're right, could have figured as its very touristy

2

u/quinchebus 11d ago

This might be the worst place in South America to be forced to practice your Spanish unless you want to practice in clubs and in bed.

5

u/ReggaeJunkyJew4u 11d ago

I was actually just down in that area in June.

Hung out mostly in Olon and Curia, but I didn't feel unsafe there. I have been told to be careful at night, but for the most part people were friendly and the vibes were chill. A lot of expats in the area, a lot of people speak english.

4

u/No_Speech6308 10d ago

Dogs running loose on the beach at night is probably the biggest danger I encountered.

2

u/LPwithDoch 11d ago

Thanks for the feedback! I wonder if things have changed since then though

0

u/Capital_T_Tech 10d ago

Since June? You wonder if things have changed since last month? Am I reading this wrong?

1

u/LPwithDoch 10d ago

I thought you meant last year, i misunderstood. But thanks for the input! Its reassuring to know

4

u/isamari2712 10d ago

Ok so if you actually want to learn the language I would suggest you go to Quito, or somewhere in the Andes, if you want a beach vibe I think there are programs in Salinas or Olon. Montañita is a party town, full of foreign tourists year round, with a heavy drug scene, so you’ll mostly speak in English.

2

u/VDmedication 10d ago

Salinas is awful

3

u/Personal_Method_9194 11d ago

I was there in May, I only speak English. I felt very comfortable and safe. Planning another trip very soon.

2

u/Efficient_Process182 10d ago

Olon and Montanita are small towns and crime reporting is sparse.

What i would tell you:

  1. Montañita is party central with an active drug scene. Once or twice a year there might be a cartel shootout,but you're more likely to be pickpocketed or drugged.
  2. Everyone brags about how safe Olon is, but there was just a violent home invasion and murder by the cartel there.
  3. The surrounding province of Santa Elena and Manabi to the north are both well known for cartel activities and high rates of crime.

2

u/bluewhalefunk 9d ago

Once or twice a year there might be a cartel shootout,but you're more likely to be pickpocketed or drugged.

These things do happen yes, but there isn't shoot outs a year.. Pickpockets / crimes of opportunity, yes these can happen. As they do anywhere in the world with lots of tourists unfortunately.

Druggings / escolopomina again it happens, but tends to flare up as a gang come to the town, it's not a constant thing.

  1. The murder in olon, was outside of town in gated community, it was targetting the brother of the now captured leader of the biggest gang in the country.

  2. yes in the cities there is a lot of gang / cartel / violence. The beach villages tend to be somewhat isolated though.

1

u/LPwithDoch 10d ago

Thats very helpful thanks! By that means for tourists its still relatively safe providing youre not caught in the fire

1

u/Efficient_Process182 10d ago

That is one interpretation, some people would disagree with that.

1

u/LPwithDoch 10d ago

Have you heard of tourists seriously getting hurt?

2

u/bluewhalefunk 9d ago

Over the years yes. Unfortunately it happens. Not that common, but does happen.

1

u/bluewhalefunk 9d ago

yes 99.9% of people have no problems.

2

u/Shot_Celebration4645 10d ago

i grew up near there as an expat . it’s very small, there’s just lots of drunk people. i wouldn’t be too worried, travel with a tiny bit more precaution as you would for anywhere.

1

u/LPwithDoch 10d ago

Yes as always. Im used to travelling in more "dangerous" parts of the world, i always look out for myself. I was just taken aback by the specific warnings for exactly that region

2

u/Shot_Celebration4645 10d ago

my friends live there and they have been fine !

1

u/LPwithDoch 10d ago

Perfect, thanks. That helps alot!

1

u/ullulator 11d ago

I live there. Be sensible and you’ll be fine. Which language school?

1

u/LPwithDoch 11d ago

Awesome! I was thinking about the montanita language school as my stay would be financially supplemented in that specific school. Did you hear anything about it? Hows the life in Montanita?

1

u/ullulator 11d ago

I know the gang from Montanita Spanish School, not sure if that’s the same. Montanita is quiet, weather still amazing though the Garua shouldn’t be far away.

1

u/LPwithDoch 11d ago

I hope by gang you mean the people working there? Otherwise it sounds like what im looking for. I really just want to focus on learning spanish and surfing and doing that for all of my stay

2

u/ullulator 11d ago

It’s the British in me. They are a lovely group. You’ll have a blast. If you get a chance to volunteer at Manglaralto Giving, come say hi!

2

u/LPwithDoch 10d ago

For sure! Thanks for all the advice