morning fish market

I always say "yes!" to fish markets. It is the best way to meet locals, see what they are bringing from the depths, and get the freshest seafood!Before heading out on one of the island excursions this is the best way to spend your morning.

We liked this so much we went on two mornings. The second day there weren't as many pangas landing fish, perhaps because of our timing but more likely because the tide was higher and there wasn't as much beach for business to take place on. Go early to catch all the action.On the first morning there were about 125 pangas landing fish. Fish were being cleaned and then weighed. Most went into waiting trucks packed with ice. Buyers were supervising the weighing and waving big wads of bills. Chaos everywhere. Dogs sleeping under the cleaning tables, clouds of frigatebirds, mobs of pelicans, many dozens of busy people.I counted at least 20 different species of fish. Many of these I had never seen before while others were more familiar. One boat was offloading a good catch of dorado (mahi mahi).On the shore there's a line of local businesses (not quite street vendors, not quite restaurants) selling fresh fish meals, probably mainly for the fishermen. The menu seemed pretty much the same, plates of rice and plantain with VERY fresh fish that just came in. I didn't inquire about prices but I'll bet they were very reasonable.If you want to see how a traditional Ecuadorian fishing village operates when the catch comes in you should get up early and take this in. Authentic with a capital A.

Puerto Lopez is a working fishing town (around 10,000 people) increasingly popular with American retirees. It was a community that promised fresh food, entertainment, a working cash machine and shops.It has a two-mile beach that is littered with beach bars, the usual sea-front shops and a few upscale hotels in the northern area. It is sheltered so the surf is not vey high and it is excellent for swimming.The rush hour in Puerto Lopez starts in very early morning when the fishing boats return. The southern end of the beach turns into a fish market for a few hours. Fishermen sell sting rays, wahoos, swordfish, hammerhead sharks and other species we couldn't identify. You need to get up early though. It winds down by 8am but the experience unforgettable. If you are unsure if it is for you watch this two minute video that we shot and edited in October 2014. (http://vimeo.com/113773659)Our favourite food place in Puerto Lopez was Camelita. It serves superb fresh fish dishes at reasonable prices.You can hitch easy rides on Ecuadorian tuk tuks for one dollar to the local market and bus station.From Puerto Lopez you can get a taxi to magnificent beach in Los Frailes.The waves are much calmer there than in Ayampe. It is drier too. You are in the arid micro-climate of Manchalilla National Park.