Manta Ecuador: NOT what we EXPECTED (from this POPULAR EXPAT CITY)

Amelia and JP VLOG 234: We FINALLY went to Manta Ecuador and filmed it for this week's video! Yay!!!

We were REALLY impressed with Manta and we're already planning our next trip back to film more of the city. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Ecuador, and it's very popular with expats. If you want to live by the beach, but you prefer a modern city with all the amenities, this might be the perfect spot for you.

Having been to several coastal cities in Ecuador, Manta was not what we expected. It's somewhat of a hybrid between the large, commercial city of Guayaquil, and the smaller coastal city of La Libertad. Based on our first impression, it seems to have the best of both worlds!

Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis

Faster Car (Spanish Version) by Rendez-Voodoo

Our Unconventional Contributor:
Jeffrey Pickett

Our Unconventional Supporters:
Janet & Paul Stonestreet
Connie Crew
Gary Peet
Joe Stratton
Jose and Alexandra
Audrey and Damaro Lewis
Luis Rivas
Leif Brogren
Bruce Leslie
Brian & Tonya Scott
Maureen Kelly
Deborah Linton
Susan & Rick Joyce
Kit Thornton
Richard Valverde

#ameliaandjp #ecuador #expats

[williamhunter]

All I wanted to say is : YOU GUYS KICK ASS!!! I am so envious of your life TOGETHER. It is a beautiful thing. You guys need to know this... your relationship is what makes it work!!! GOOD LUCK TO YOU BOTH !!!

[dalesides]

I've learned so much about Ecuador since finding your videos. And watching the two of you interact together is half the fun. You look like you're as much in love as the day you were married. So Sweet, both of you, and Ecuador!

[Really_jason]

My parents are from Manta. I like watching your informing videos. Makes me feel more connected to my Ecuadorian roots!

[MamboDinamicoDanceCoLLC]

I used to spend my summers in n Manta during my teenage years. The seafood there is to die for. The ceviches are some of the best you will ever taste.

[rigobertocarvallor.]

As Manta’s born and raised citizen, let me give you guys our warm welcome. I am very proud of everything you say in your video and it makes me happy that you enjoyed your visit here. Please come back anytime!

[cjonespac]

Thanks for the video. We visited Manta just before covid and are considering moving there. Looking forward to your Manta Video Part II ! Don't forget a trip to the fish market its a lot of fun. Ryan and Tiffany are THE BEST! So gracious and knowledgeable.

[jsphat]

Nice shots of the city as well as the editing and choice of music, guys! Manta looks so beautiful, clean and fun. I’m Ecuadorian but I’ve never visited there. Keep up the great work with these videos and continue to enjoy my native country. Greetings from NYC!

[GaryMeadowsMusic]

We were there a few years ago and then a couple years ago and noticed they really did a lot of work to the city. Rosds, clean up, electrical systems. We also made it to Galapaos for a week, that was great.

[plbmck]

My wife and I are looking forward to coming down in the next couple of years to scope out some locations for retirement. Definitely coastal. Manta is on the list, but below Salinas and the towns closer to Salinas. Manta looks like a must see on our trip, though. Big fan. Stay healthy!

[PB-tojd]

I can’t wait to move to the beautiful country with the nice weather e everything looks good 👍👍👍

[pav]

Thank you for talking about wheelchair access. I'm a retired dual citizen, soon to be an expat, who uses a wheelchair. I always check out the wheelchair access on YouTube videos and it was great to hear the topic mentioned. Thank you.

[carlosivanjarre]

Great vid guys. Next time you visit Manta I would suggest to visit a "Super Tranquilo" place called San Lorenzo, which is 30 minutes by car. There is a good pop up restaurant called "Muya" (They will be open again in January) They could probably tailor a specialty menu for you, and the food is great, everything slow cooked in a wooden stove, but with a gourmet flavour. San Lorenzo has a 2 station "Mirador", and it is also a preferred sea turtle spawning ground. Just before you get to San Lorenzo, there is a beautiful "Natural Reserve" called Pacoche, you could do some trekking in the misty mountains. I really enjoy how relaxing and comforting your videos are. Be well.

[joseolayaful]

Thank you for showing the world how wonderful my country is! 👏

[billloveys]

Great video guys! I've been waiting for your take on Manta for quite a while...I knew you'd get there. LOL I've been following the real-estate there and have seen some beautiful condos and ocean front properties, but your video shows more of the city's infrastructure and amenities... looking forward to Part 2 where the restrictions may be lowered and anxious to see if it is always that windy or you just caught an exceptional weekend. Thanks!!

[lenneakernaz]

So happy you are exploring Manta! In a decade or so I'm planning on starting my expat life in Ecuador and Manta will be my first stop. I haven't seen much content on that city so I'm excited it's part of your rotation now.

[owensmith]

I lived in Manta for a few months in 1998. One of the best climates in Ecuador, though admittedly I was there for the Dry Season. A breezy 70-80 degrees every single day - gorgeous weather. Just prior to my moving there Manta was EVISCERATED by the El Nino storms in 1997 that took a terrible toll on a lot of the smaller towns and provinces in Ecuador along La Costa (The Coastal region) - houses had been washed away by floodwaters, or buried in massive mudslides, with families sleeping in them in the middle of the night. Horrific. They just didn't have the flood control at the time to deal with the volume of water unleashed by those storms, but they seemed to have learned the lesson by the time I was there.

When you go back be sure to visit the Panama Hat shops in Montecristi, just about 30 minutes East of Manta on the way to Portoviejo. They still made them by hand when I visited, and there's a popular Cathedral there where "La Virgen de Montecristi" is housed, at the foot of an impressive mountain of the same name, visible for 50 miles in all directions (one can hike it if one chooses).

The Encebollado in the Manabi province is DELICIOUS. I also lived in Chone for a few months and visited Portoviejo, San Vicente, Canoa, Calceta, and Bahia de Caraquez often - beautiful little towns at that time, undeveloped for the most part, like going back in time. Don't know about now...? Ecuador was much more undeveloped when I lived there in the late 90s - horrible roads. It took 6+ hours in a rough bus ride to travel what should take an hour or two on a normal US Interstate. When Rafael Correa was elected one of the good things he did for the country was build solid highways that didn't exist before - reinforced concrete roads with proper drainage that could withstand their Wet Season. It was much easier to get around when I went back in 2009 for a few weeks.

You're living in Olon, somewhat close to another town I also lived in for a few months, Playas de Villamil (or just "Playas"), and visited Salinas, Ballenita, La Libertad often. There was a fascinating Museum/Restaurant in Ballenita called "El Farallon Dillon" that was opened by a retired Sea Captain with tons of Sailing memorabilia that's fun and fascinating. Don't know if it's still there but if so, you'd enjoy it for sure. Very Unique spot.

I'm a blowhard, I'll stop now!

[hectormariscal]

GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!!....J.P. AND LOS BENDIGA!

[intriagoandrade]

love it, thank you so much for sharing my city with the world. Take care guys..!

[cvc]

¡Manta es maravillosa!

Muchas gracias por las vistas.

Saludos cordiales

[kettybriones]

Super excited that you finally went to my hometown. Glad you liked it. I haven’t been there since 2005, lots of changes. Thank you for this video .