THE FREE SPIRIT HOSTEL ECUADOR
Surf, sun & sMILEs
in puerto Engabao
Beachfront surf & yoga hostel in Ecuador | Breakfast & dinner included.
Escape the crowds. Surf empty waves. Eat healthy food. The most authentic experience on the Ecuadorian coast.
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Free breakfast & dinner
Surf every day
Community vibes
Yoga with a view
Hidden & real Ecuador - surf, yoga and community!
Our hidden paradise is located in the south of Ecuador, in a small fishing village called Puerto Engabao just 2h from Guayaquil International Airport and a quiet alternative to busy Montañita, 3 hours away. It's theperfect place for solo travelers, couples, surfers, and adventure seekers to connect, relax, and experience the best of the Ecuadorian coast. Right on the beach, we offer surf, yoga, and a welcoming community.
The hostel
Large common spaces, private backyard & much more
Pool & chilling spots
Enjoy our backyard pool, game areas and the best place to watch the sunset
Beachfront
surf & yoga
Waves for any level, surf rental & lessons, yoga deck and yoga classes
OUR PACKAGES
*Flexible duration or stay-only options also available
Starting at
$360/ 6 nights
Experience a 6-night surf learning getaway with a surf lesson every 2 days, yoga every day, unlimited surfboard usage, and nourishing vegetarian meals.
Starting at
$450/ 6 nights
Take your surfing to the next level with our 6-night surfcamp package. Want to progress faster? Surfcamp gives you a lesson every day instead of every other day, for $15 more a night. Refine your technique with daily surf practice, complemented by rejuvenating yoga, unlimited board access, and nourishing vegetarian meals to fuel your progression in and out of the water.
Starting at
$540/ 6 nights
Perfect if you're an intermediate surfer looking to level up with a dedicated coaching or if you've never surfed before and want an instructor all to yourself. Either way, this is the package for you. Plus enjoy free breakfast and dinner each day for an easy surf trip while reconnecting with your inner flow.
Starting at
$252/ 6 nights
Ride as much as you want with unlimited board rentals, and enjoy free breakfast and dinner each day for an easy surf trip.
Starting at
$216/ 6 nights
Find your flow with daily yoga class, plus free breakfast and dinner. A balanced and rejuvenating retreat from start to finish.
To choose a package, select the package option under your room on the booking page.
A ROOM FOR EVERYONE
Dorms to a full range of private rooms for every budget. Plus, wherever you stay free breakfast & dinner are included. Even if you sleep on the beach!
Friends private room
2 People
3 People
4 People
Deluxe fan private room
2 People
3 People
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Your home by the ocean
At Free Spirit Hostel, it’s all about good vibes, community, and a true connection to nature. We’re more than just a place to sleep, we’re a home for surfers, yogis, solo travelers, couples and anyone who’s chasing freedom and adventure.
Our spacious common area is the heart of the hostel, a place to relax, recharge, or dive into the good vibes. Whether you’re in the mood to swing in a hammock with a book, challenge a new friend to pool or ping pong, or just hang out with fellow travelers, there’s always something going on.
Relax by the pool or dive into the ocean just steps from your room. Grab a drink at our beautiful bar and enjoy front-row seats to some of the most stunning sunsets you’ll ever see.
Need to get some work done? We’ve got you covered with our dedicated free co-working space. Designed specifically for digital nomads and remote workers, our space offers high-speed, reliable WiFi and plenty of power outlets. It’s the ultimate work-surf balance, where your "office" is just steps away from the waves.
Feel the Free Spirit on Ecuador’s coast, without giving up comfort.
- private rooms up to 4 people (with fan or AC)
- dorms (with fan and max. 4 people)
- individually designed rooms with private or shared bathrooms
- all beds come with a mosquito net for a peaceful night’s sleep
Whether you choose a shared dorm or a private room, each space is designed with love, simple, comfortable, and perfect for recharging after a day of surf, yoga, and sunshine.
Surf’s always up, just steps from your bed
With a point break and beach break right out front, you’re never more than a few steps from the next wave. Whether you’re a total beginner or already chasing green waves, our spot is made for all levels.
Grab a board anytime and paddle out, no crowds, no stress. Just you and the ocean. With over 15 surf spots nearby and great swells, we’re blessed to live next to some of Ecuador’s best waves.
Boards are available at the hostel and if you’re just getting started, we offer surf lessons with experienced local instructors who’ll have you popping up in no time.
If you’re an intermediate or advanced surfer, we also offer surf trips with experienced guides who know the best local breaks.
Daily yoga on our oceanfront deck
Breathe in the ocean air and flow with the rhythm of the waves. Our beautiful, open-air yoga deck sits just steps from the beach, offering front-row views of the Pacific.
With the sound of the sea as your soundtrack and the ocean breeze on your skin, it’s the perfect space to move, stretch, and reconnect.
We offer daily yoga classes for all levels, led by passionate teachers in a laid-back and supportive atmosphere.
Prefer your own practice? No problem, yoga mats and props are available for you to use anytime. This is your space to slow down, tune in, and feel good.
Food made with love
Fresh, healthy & delicious
At Free Spirit Hostel, we believe in food that fuels the soul. Every evening we serve a freshly made, healthy vegetarian dinner, crafted with local ingredients and good vibes. Whether you’ve just come back from a surf session or a yoga flow, our dinners are the perfect way to gather, connect, and enjoy.
For breakfast, you can choose from three tasty options:
- scrambled eggs with toast & fresh fruit
- peanut butter toast with banana & fruit
- smoothie bowl topped with granola, banana & chia seeds
Not just for vegetarians! Our guests love our weekly Ecuadorian Shrimp 'Tipico' nights, occasional BBQ feasts and our meat empanadas sold at our bar. You won't go hungry.
Got allergies or special requests? Just let us know, we’re happy to adapt!
Puerto Engabao, a hidden gem on Ecuador’s coast
Welcome to Puerto Engabao, a small and authentic fishing village where time slows down and the ocean sets the rhythm. It’s hidden, peaceful, and full of character. The perfect alternative to Montañita: all the waves, none of the noise.
You’ll find delicious local restaurants serving fresh seafood and Ecuadorian classics at friendly prices, perfect for lunch after a surf session. For those who want to hit the streets, the village also features an amazing skate park, and we offer skateboard rentals right here at the hostel! It’s a place to experience real coastal culture, away from the tourist crowds but close enough to feel connected.
And if you ever need a dose of city life, the next bigger town is just a 30-minute bus ride away, and it costs only 90 cents. There you’ll find ATMs, a big supermarket, shopping malls, cafés, and everything else you might need to stock up or explore for a few hours.
Every day brings new waves, new friends, and new memories
It's time for you to seize the day in Ecuador
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There's no bad time to come: we have waves 365 days a year, for every level! Here's what to expect:
- December to May - warm season. Hot, sunny days and warm water (no wetsuit needed). The north swell brings clean waves, often glassy in the mornings. Perfect for beach lovers and sun seekers, with fun waves for every level, from first-timers to experienced surfers.
- June to November - cooler season. Cooler temperatures, more grey days and more wind, especially in the afternoons. If you don't like the heat, it's the perfect time to come. The south swell brings more consistent, often bigger and more powerful waves. Experienced surfers will love the power, and beginners can still learn safely in the whitewater, with lessons adapted to the conditions. The water gets cooler too: we have spring suits available at the hostel, or bring a 1 mm wetsuit top if you get cold easily.
Every year is a little different: some years, the cooler season brings plenty of sunshine and clean waves too. Not sure when to come? Write to us and we'll tell you what to expect for your dates.
Absolutely!
Most of our guests arrive solo. Our family-style dinners, free daily activities, daily yoga classes and group surf lessons make it easy to meet people. You'll arrive alone and leave with a new family.
Traveling as a couple or with friends? You'll feel just as welcome: we have private rooms for two, rooms for groups of friends, and the same warm family vibe.
Solo female travelers come to stay with us all the time! Some take the bus, others prefer a taxi or our airport pickup, it's up to you. Puerto Engabao is a small, tight-knit village, far from the big cities, and our team is on site every day. At the hostel, you can enjoy your own quiet time whenever you like, and when you want company, family-style dinners and daily activities make it easy to meet other travelers. We also have secure lockers for your belongings. Any questions before you come? Write to us, we'll be happy to answer.
We live here, and we feel very safe here, otherwise we simply wouldn't keep our doors open and welcome travelers every day. Puerto Engabao is a small, quiet fishing village where everyone knows each other.
We don't believe anyone can truly promise safety anywhere in the world today. What we can do is make your trip here as easy as possible: our driver can pick you up directly at Guayaquil airport and bring you straight to the hostel.
News and online forums often talk about Ecuador as a whole, not about our little village. If you have any doubts, just write to us, we'll be happy to tell you how life really is here, day to day.
- Cash in US dollars, in small bills: there's no ATM in the village, and bills over $20 are hard to use in local shops and restaurants
- Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
- A reusable water bottle (we have free filtered water)
- Flip-flops and beachwear
- A sweater for the evenings in cool season
We provide bed sheets, pillows, mosquito nets and yoga mats. Towels are provided in private rooms, and available to rent for $3 if you stay in a dorm. Surfboards are available to rent at the hostel, or included in our surf packages.
Booking direct means you get our best price, you can add a surf or yoga package at a discount, and you talk directly with our team. No middleman, just us.
Most guests pay for their booking online when they reserve. At the hostel (bar, surf lessons, yoga, tours…), you can pay by card or in cash.
We recommend cash: card payments come with a 3 to 6% fee, depending on your bank.
There are no ATMs in Puerto Engabao or Engabao. The closest one is in Playas, 30 minutes away, so please withdraw US dollars in Guayaquil or Playas before you arrive. Bring small bills: bills over $20 are hard to use in the village.
To confirm your booking, you can pay the full amount directly online. Prefer to pay only a 30% deposit? That's possible too: just contact us and we'll send you a payment link.
Payments are non-refundable. However, if you cancel more than 7 days before your arrival, you can transfer your payment one time only, within 1 year:
- To new dates: for the same type of room or an upgrade.
- To someone else: as long as they arrive before your original date, for the same type of room or an upgrade.
Cancellations made 7 days or less before arrival cannot be transferred.
Yes! Make Free Spirit your home for 3 weeks or more and get up to 30% off, with breakfast and dinner included every day.
You'll also get 50% off all our packages (Learn to Surf, Surfcamp, Private coaching, yoga or surf rental), plus free access to our co-working space with reliable fiber Wi-Fi. Contact us to book your long stay!
Yes! With 25 beds, an ocean-view yoga deck, a pool and family-style meals, Free Spirit is the perfect place for yoga retreats, surf camps, friend groups, team trips and celebrations. You can book a few rooms or the whole hostel. Write to us for a custom quote.
This can happen for two reasons: either we're fully booked for your dates, or your stay doesn't meet our minimum-night policy (3 or 6 nights, depending on the season). If in doubt, write to us — we can often find a solution.
We're mainly an adults-only hostel (18+). Teens aged 14 to 17 are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian aged 18 or over.
Traveling with younger children? Just write to us! As a hostel, we have a bar, a pool without a lifeguard, and so it can sometimes get a bit noisy. But if your family is used to hostel life, we'll be happy to talk about it and see what works for you.
By car: Puerto Engabao is 1.5 to 2 hours from Guayaquil, depending on traffic. Take "Vía a la Costa" toward Progreso, then follow the signs to Playas Villamil. In Playas, take the road to Engabao and continue to Puerto Engabao. Follow the "Vía a la Playa" sign: you'll find us right on the beachfront, on the left. Coming from Salinas? Avoid Google Maps and drive via Progreso instead.
By bus from Guayaquil: From the Guayaquil bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre), take a direct bus to Playas with Cooperativa Villamil or Cooperativa Posorja. Buses leave about every 30 minutes, and the ride takes 1.5 to 2 hours. The last bus leaves at 8 pm (if you miss it, you can easily find a taxi). In Playas, take a local bus to Puerto Engabao, or a taxi to the hostel for about $8.
From Quito:
Avianca and LATAM offer almost hourly flights to Guayaquil, from $65. You can also take a bus from Quitumbe terminal to Guayaquil (8 to 10 hours, about $16).
From Baños, Cuenca, Mindo, Otavalo or Cotopaxi: Travel to Guayaquil, then follow the directions above. From Baños, we recommend the 7:45 am direct bus to Guayaquil, or the 11 pm or 12:30 am night buses.
From Montañita, Olón, Ayampe, Puerto López or Manta:
Take a direct bus with Cooperativa Manglaralto, which runs along the coast from Manta to Playas. Then follow the directions above from Playas.
Yes! We offer surf lessons and surf camps for all levels, right in front of the hostel. Every package runs for the full length of your stay and includes unlimited surfboards and a daily yoga class. Prices are per day, on top of your room.
- Never surfed before? Learn to Surf - $30/day.
A surf lesson every other day, so your body has time to recover. Our best seller!
- Want to progress faster? Surfcamp - $45/day.
A surf lesson every single day. Perfect if you want to make the most of your trip.
- Want an instructor all to yourself? Private coaching - $60/day.
A private lesson every day. Ideal for beginners who want full attention, or intermediate surfers ready to refine their technique and level up.
- Already surf? Surf rental package - $12/day.
Unlimited boards for your whole stay, instead of $20/day without a package. We have 20 surfboards available.
All our packages (Learn to Surf, Surfcamp, Private coaching, Surf rental and Yoga) must be booked before you check in. Adding one is easy:
1. On our booking page, choose your dates and your room.
2. Continue your booking: in the "Add-ons & Extras" step, select your package.
Each lesson lasts 1 hour and all the equipment is included (surfboard, leash and lycra if needed). Our experienced local instructors adapt each session to your level. Intermediate or advanced? We also offer surf trips with local guides to the best breaks nearby depending on the conditions.
Yes! We offer a 1-hour yoga class every day on our open-air deck facing the ocean. Classes are for all levels, and the style changes depending on the teacher - a great way to discover new practices. Yoga mats and props are provided.
- Yoga package - $6/day: a class every day of your stay.
- Without a package - $12 per class.
Coming for more than two classes? The package is the best deal.
Our schedule follows nature's rhythm. Surf lessons are planned around the tides and wave size, and yoga classes are planned around the surf lessons. That's why we set the schedule day by day. You'll find it at the reception every morning.
Every day, we organize free activities: volleyball, beer pong, karaoke, pictionary, quiz nights and more. You can also play ping-pong, pool, Spikeball, washers or foosball, swim in the pool, join a jam session, enjoy a bonfire or a movie night. Subject to availability, you can even get a massage or a tattoo while listening to the waves!
You'll love our little pueblo for its peace and tranquility. Puerto Engabao is an authentic, welcoming village with just a few bars and hostels, including ours.
- Explore: walk around the village, run on the endless beach at low tide and watch an amazing sunset.
- Meet the locals: join a game of soccer or volleyball at the park.
- Skateboarding: we have one of the best skateparks in Ecuador! Skateboard rental at the hostel: $5/day.
- Fishing trip: $30 p.p. Spend a day like a local fisherman and share a fresh shrimp lunch from the day's catch.
- Ecuadorian cooking class: $40 p.p. Learn to cook coastal classics like ceviche, bolón or arroz con camarones with a local chef.
- Cerro del Muerto: $25 p.p. Hike this iconic rock formation for stunning views.
- Engabao hike: $15 p.p. A 3-hour hike to the top of Cerro de Engabao, we'll even carry your favorite beer to the summit.
- Dolphin trip: $30 p.p. A boat ride through the mangroves to see wild dolphins.
- Cacao trip: $45 p.p. Visit a local hacienda and follow chocolate from tree to bar, with a tasting.
Book your tours at the reception when you arrive.
Every booking includes:
- Your bed or room
- Breakfast and our vegetarian family-style dinner, every day
- Free daily activities: volleyball, beer pong, karaoke, pictionary, quiz nights and more
- Free filtered drinking water
- Our co-working space with fiber Wi-Fi
- The pool, games, hammocks and common areas
Not included: lunch, drinks at the bar, surf lessons, board rental and yoga classes. Want to save on surf and yoga? Our packages are cheaper than paying day by day.
Lunch is not included, but you have plenty of options: cook your own meal in our fully equipped guest kitchen, or enjoy a delicious almuerzo (set lunch) at one of the local restaurants in the village, at friendly prices ($3,50).
Need a quick bite? You can also get one of our homemade meat or vegetarian empanadas at the bar.
Since our opening, food has been at the heart of the Free Spirit experience. All our dinners are vegetarian, except for our weekly Ecuadorian shrimp night. Our team combines spices, fresh local vegetables and creative ideas, with filling portions that even meat-eaters love.
Dinner is served family-style: guests, staff and owners all sit together at one big table. It's the best way to make friends!
For breakfast, choose from three options: scrambled eggs with toast and fresh fruit, peanut butter toast with banana and fruit, or a smoothie bowl with granola, banana and chia seeds.
Craving meat? Order our homemade meat (or vegetarian) empanadas at the bar, or buy meat in town and cook it in our guest kitchen.
Allergies or special diets? Just let us know, we're happy to adapt.
Yes! We have reliable, high-speed fiber Wi-Fi in all common areas, good enough for video calls. We also have a free dedicated co-working space and a backup generator, so you stay connected even during power outages. Many digital nomads stay with us for weeks.
We don't recommend drinking tap water in Ecuador, especially in our village. That's why we offer free filtered drinking water to all our guests. Bring your reusable bottle, or buy one at our souvenir shop!
Check-in is from 2 pm and check-out is until 11 am.
Arriving early or leaving later? No problem: leave your bags at the reception and enjoy the hostel until your room is ready, or until it's time to go. Our reception opens at 8:30 am, so please plan your early arrival after that time.
Of course! Just tell us your arrival time when you book. Our driver can pick you up at the airport, or we'll email you instructions to access your room.
