Discover Olon: beach, nature and culture

Olon offers several reasons to include the coast, nature and culture in your travel plans. At Playa Olón, gentle waves meet views of the mountains and vegetation surrounding the community. Mangroves and forest offer other natural highlights, while a sanctuary and several festivals reveal more sides of the town.

Beach and special places

Playa Olón is a beach with gentle waves and views of the mountains and vegetation surrounding the community. This offers a different focus from the El Cangrejal mangrove forest, which is home to blue crabs and other species of migratory shorebirds. Exploring Olon lets you take in a range of landscapes without assuming that you will see any particular animals.

One cultural highlight is the Santuario Blanca Estrella del Mar, which houses an image of the Virgin Mary inside a shell, on a carved wooden altar. The combination of the shell and carved wood gives the image a distinctive, tangible connection to the place.

Festivals and sporting experiences

At the Kite Festival, a fertility goddess is chosen and wears traditional clothing from Ecuador’s coastal culture. The kites represent the dreams of the Huancavilca. The Mangrove Festival includes a parade along the main streets, with students, community representatives and representatives of government organizations taking part. If a festival is important to your trip, check the dates in advance.

Surfing championships are also held in Olon. The “OLONCHIS” cycling route follows paths that can be used for cycling. Races can be arranged during the week for specific groups, or undertaken freely and voluntarily. These offer different sporting options alongside the town’s cultural and nature experiences: competitions and cycling.

Nature and activity

El Cangrejal draws attention to a mangrove habitat: blue crabs and several species of migratory shorebirds are among its wildlife. At Playa Olón, by contrast, the focus is on the gentle waves and views of the mountains and vegetation. Each place offers its own highlights when choosing nature experiences for your trip.

Camping is possible in the forest along the route to the Cascadas de Alex. If you include this stop in your plans, confirm that camping is possible before your visit.

More nature and surfing destinations in the wider destination of Santa Elena

In the wider destination of Santa Elena, La Chocolatera offers a different geographical highlight: it is the westernmost point of the Ecuadorian coast and the second-farthest projection in South America. Five viewpoints are connected by self-guided paths with information signs. Nature lovers may also consider Humedal Ecuasal, a distinct option within Santa Elena; this wetland is home to more than 100 species of seabirds and wading birds.

The wider destination of Santa Elena also offers different ways to experience surfing. Surfing championships are held in Olon, while Montañita offers surfing lessons. Ecuador’s first national surfing championship was held at La Fae in 1984. These are different perspectives on the sport: competition in Olon, lessons in Montañita and a dated milestone at La Fae.

The seasons also shape some nature experiences in Santa Elena. From June to September, humpback whales use the warm waters off Salinas to mate and give birth; this natural phenomenon recurs every year. In Dos Mangas, the Las Cascadas trail winds through the humid forests of the Cordillera Chongón-Colonche, passing several waterfalls. During the rainy season, the main waterfall can reach up to 20 meters in height.

Keep your travel plans in mind when searching for a vacation rental

When looking for a vacation rental in Olon, it helps to first prioritize the things you want to shape your stay: the beach and its views, natural areas such as El Cangrejal, or activities such as cycling and surfing. Those interested in culture can also consider the religious imagery and festival traditions. If other places in the wider destination of Santa Elena are part of your plans, you can add more landscape and activity options. This will help you clarify your travel plans before comparing accommodation options based on your personal requirements.

Discover more destinations: Anconcito, Ballenita, Montañita, La Rinconada, Santa Elena, Chanduy, Ayangue, Valdivia.

Back to the wider travel overview: Santa Elena.