Flight 36

Guayaquil – Medellín

The largest city in Ecuador and an important port on the Guayas River
José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport is one of the most modern in Latin America
After takeoff, views open up over delta landscapes and vast banana plantations typical of the Guayas region

🏖️ Machalilla Coast – Wilderness on the Shores of the Pacific Ocean

Flying along the central coast of Ecuador offers a unique perspective on the protected area of Machalilla National Park – a region where dry tropical forest, rugged cliffs, and calm bays meet
This is one of the few dry tropical forests in South America
The area also has archaeological significance – once inhabited by the Valdivia culture, one of the oldest known civilizations on the west coast of the Americas
In the sea lies Isla de la Plata – an island reminiscent of the Galápagos, home to blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and other iconic species
Between June and September, it’s possible to spot humpback whales from the aircraft as they migrate along the coast, often appearing as swirls on the surface or spouts of water

🚢 Manta – Coastal Heart of Central Ecuador

Manta is one of Ecuador’s largest ports and a key center for fishing and maritime trade
The city lies on the open Pacific coast with vast beaches and dense urban development contrasting against the surrounding dry landscape
Tuna fishing leaves a strong economic footprint here – Manta is one of the world’s most important tuna processing centers

The flight route followed the Pacific coast of northern Ecuador and southwestern Colombia – a region rich in culture, nature, and contrasts
Esmeraldas is one of the centers of Afro-Ecuadorian identity – known for marimba music, traditional dances, and coastal cuisine based on coconut and seafood
From above, you can see sandy beaches, tropical forests, and scattered villages lining the Pacific coast
Crossing into Colombia, the terrain changes – extensive mangrove forests, islands, and winding waterways appear
Tumaco, nicknamed The Pearl of the Pacific, lies on an archipelago with distinctive wooden stilt houses, viewed from above as a mosaic of human settlement closely tied to nature
The area is ecologically unique – serving as a nesting site for sea turtles, a migratory corridor for birds, and a refuge for endangered dolphins and fish
This part of the flight offered a rare view of a sparsely urbanized yet rich coastal zone that remains hidden from regular tourist routes

About halfway through the flight, the approach to the Andes mountain range begins
Over the city of Cali (officially Santiago de Cali), a wide Cauca River valley is visible from above, surrounded by green Andean slopes – one of the most densely populated areas of Colombia
The city is considered the world capital of salsa – home to hundreds of dance schools, music clubs, and the annual Feria de Cali, the largest salsa festival in the world
Cali has a strong Afro-Colombian community, reflected in its rhythms, cuisine, and culture

The approach to Medellín passes through mountainous terrain – the city lies in a narrow Aburrá River valley, surrounded by Andean slopes at an elevation of over 1,500 m
Thanks to its location and year‑round mild climate, Medellín is nicknamed “La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera” – The City of Eternal Spring
In the past, Medellín was known mainly for cartel activity, but today it’s seen as a model of urban transformation and innovation – including the Metrocable gondola system connecting hillside neighborhoods with the city center
From the air, you can see the city’s characteristic structure – a contrast between modern buildings and densely populated hillsides (comunas)
Landmarks include Nutibara Hill with a replica of a traditional village (Pueblito Paisa) and architectural icons such as Plaza Botero with monumental sculptures by Fernando Botero
Landing takes place at José María Córdova Airport, located at 2,141 m in the nearby city of Rionegro – the approach is relatively steep due to mountainous terrain