Breaking waves off the coast of Ecuador. Captured by Oscar Zabala
"My best friends and I went to SOuth AMerica to shoot my last photo series and explore as much of Ecuador as we could fit into one month. Towards the end of the trip we went to check out the coast and found a mud bath about 50 feet from the beach. We decided to jump naked in the mud bath and then run down to the water to wash off. Running naked around the beach at night with my friends was one of my favorite memories from that trip."
- Oscar Zabala
Go: Los Frailes is a protected beach in the Machalilla National Park. Hike along the shore until you find the mud baths, perfect for a late night soak and sprint into the Pacific.
Stay: Stay at the Hosteria Piqueros Patas Azules, a hotel and restaurant right on the beach. The rates are reasonable and the location is unbeatable.
Eat: Coastal meals traditionally consist of fish, beans, and plantains. Be sure to try encebollado, a fish stew with boiled cassava and pickled red onion rings.
Drink: Aguardiente is a sugar-cane based spirit, commonly seen in plastic shot cups at any Ecuadorian bar. Alternatively, pick up enough beer for the day at the local hostel and head out to the beach.