Bola de Oro nature Trail
To explore the tropical humid forest along the Bola de Oro Nature Trail (Sendero Bola de Oro), travel 9 km inland to the small town of Río Blanco (also known as the El Pital community) and arrange a hike or horseback ride with a local guide to ascend the highest point in Machalilla National Park, the Bola de Oro, at 800 meters.
Surrounded by tall trees and giant bamboo, with parrot calls sounding overhead, you will encounter community-run farms along the Río Blanco river, then head upwards to encounter howler monkeys, deer, agouti, ocelots and tigrillos, as well as numerous species of birds.
If you wish to stay overnight, there are campgrounds near the trailhead or at the top of Bola de Oro, or you can seek food and lodging by returning to the community of Río Blanco, where locals run tourist services and maintain the surrounding forest to ensure a sustainable future.