ECUADOR
LEVEL
Beginner - Pro
VIBE
Fun & Chill
SEASON
October - July
PARTY
Moderate
REMOTE & REAL: COMMUNITY, SURF, YOGA AND RELAX AT THE BEACH!
Our little paradise is located in the south of Ecuador, 1h30 from Guayaquil (the closest international Airport) and a 3-hour escape from the bustle of Montañita, in a small fishing village called Puerto Engabao. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, surfers, and adventure seekers to connect, relax, and experience the best of Ecuador by offering a beachfront hostel with surf, yoga, and a welcoming community in an authentic and safe environment.
The Hostel – 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.
Feel the Free Spirit on Ecuador’s Coast – without giving up comfort.
- private rooms up to 4 people (with fan, 1x room with aircondition)
- 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
Once a week, we mix it up with a local ‘tipico’ dinner, including shrimp (camarones) or a vegetarian version, so you can get a true taste of Ecuador. Sometimes we also offer lunch like a BBQ with meat options.
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 remote, peaceful, and full of character.
You’ll find delicious local restaurants serving fresh seafood and Ecuadorian classics at friendly prices, perfect for lunch after a surf session. 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, cozy cafés, and everything else you might need to stock up or explore for a few hours.
Location Highlights
- Uncrowded surf breaks right out front
- Surf for all levels
- Surf lessons / Surf guiding / Surf trips
- Beachfront Location
- Spacious common area
- On-site bar with ocean view
- Beautiful yoga deck
- Pool area to cool off
- Close from Guayaquil Airport and the Galapagos Islands
- Social & family-like atmosphere
- Daily activities
- Safe & friendly environment
- Experience local Ecuadorian culture
Learn to Surf Package includes
- 6 x nights accommodation in a dorm or a private room
- 6 x breakfasts
- 6 x vegetarian family dinners
- 3 x beginner surf lessons
- 1 x theoretic surf class
- daily yoga classes
- Surf and yoga equipment available for free use
Extra activities available:
- Ecuadorian cooking class
- Dolphin trip
- Cacao trip
- Salsa lessons
- Hiking Cerro del Muerto
- Fishing trip
- and many more
Learn to Surf Package From
-
per week/ package also available individual nights
OTHER PACKAGES
Yoga Package
-
accommodation in a dorm
-
breakfast and dinner
-
yoga class
Stay only
-
accommodation in a dorm
-
breakfast and dinner
Surf Package
-
accommodation in a dorm
-
breakfasts and dinner
-
surf rental
LONG TERM STAY
Long term stays from 3 weeks+ are available with a discount up to 40% depending on the length of your stay. All prices include breakfast & dinner, surf & yoga equipment. There is 5G wifi available for Digital Nomads. Contact us to book your long term stay!
QUESTIONS?
You may find the answer below.
By Taxi:
We offer a taxi service directly from the Guayaquil airport for 70$US. To book a taxi, please message us via facebook or email.
By Car:
It’s about a 1h30 ride from Guayaquil. Take the ‘Via a la Costa’ to Progreso, in Progreso follow the signs to Playas Villamil. Once you get to Playas take the road to Engabao, from there continue on the dirt road to Puerto Engabao and follow the “Via a la Playa” sign to find us right in front of the beach.
By Bus:
From the terminal Terrestre de Guayaquil, take a direct bus to Playas (directo), which usually leaves every 30 minutes with “Cooperativa Posorja or Cooperativa Villamil”. Watch out, the last bus leaves at 8 pm (if you miss it, you will easily find a taxi). Once you are in Playas ask for the bus to Puerto Engabao or take a taxi for 7$ to 8$US to our hostel.
From Quito to Guayaquil:
Avianca, Tame, LATAM offer almost hourly flights from Quito to Guayaquil starting from 50 $US.
You can also take the bus from Quito (Bus Terminal Quitumbe) to Guayaquil which takes about 8-10 hours and costs 12 $US.
From Baños, Cuenca, Mindo, Otavalo, Cotopaxi
Get yourself to Guayaquil and follow the indications above from Guayaquil.
From Montañita, Olon, Ayampe, Puerto Lopez, Manta:
Take one of the direct buses from “Cooperativa Manglaralto” passing by the coast all the way from Manta to Playas, and follow the indications above to get to the hostel from Playas.
Yes! We even have a co-working space for digital nomads or for people who are working/studying remotely. We also have a generator to make sure you’re always connected in case of power cuts.
The best time to visit us is in between November and June. Keep in mind that we are located south of the equator which means the colder months are from June until September, with less sunshine but still good conditions to surf!
What is there to do in the hostel?
There is plenty of stuff to do at our hostel. You can play volleyball, ping-pong, washer, pool, spikeball, foosball table, swim in the pool, beer pong, have a jam session, make a bonfire on the beach or have a movie night. Upon availability you can also get a massage or a tattoo while seeing and listening to the waves!
What is there to do in Puerto Engabao?
You will surely appreciate our little pueblo for its peace and quietness. Different from the busy nightlife in Montañita or the crowded landmarks of Baños, Puerto Engabao is a remote oasis with only a few bars and other hostels around town, including our own. Surfing and doing yoga are the main activities but these are not the only activities to do here. Take a walk around town, go for a run on that infinite looking beach at low tide and enjoy a sunset. You may also meet local people in the village, play soccer or volleyball with them at one of the local courts.
And last but not least: We are having one of the best skateparks in Ecuador! Skate board rental available for 5$/day 😉
What is there to do nearby?
You could spend a day in the nearby city of Playas, where you can find supermarkets, pharmacies, a shopping mall and restaurants. If you wish, we can organize some trips for you for an extra cost:
- Dolphin trip
- Ecuadorian cooking class
- Fishing trip
- Surf trip
- Cacao trip
- Small hikes
This could happen for two reasons. Either we already have a full house for the dates you’ve chosen, or because there’s a problem with the length of your stay, it doesn’t follow the minimum night policy (depending on the season) of 3 nights or 6 nights. If you want to be sure you can still write us, sometimes we can arrange something for you.
Since it’s opening, The Free Spirit Hostel has built part of its experience on the type of food we consume, and the way we appreciate it. Although we offer fresh fish once a week, all of our dinners are vegetarian. Instead of meat, our team match different flavors, combining spices, fresh local vegetables and original ideas to excite your taste buds in a creative manner. Meat is available at the supermarket in Playas, and you’re welcome to cook it back at the hostel. Dinner is served family style, meaning that guests, staff members and owners get together for dinner to sit together on one big table.
We only accept US Dollars. But don’t worry there is many ATM in Playas, 30 min by bus.
We also accept credit cards with an extra fee of 10%
We do not provide towels for the dorms but for an additional fee you can rent one.
For the private rooms the towels are provided.
The surf rental is included in the ‘Learn To Surf Package’ package. However, if you didn’t buy the ‘Learn To Surf Package’ we offer a Surf Rental package at 10$US per day for your whole stay. Surf Rentals are 20$/day without packages.
The price starts at 20$ a class when you take the Learn to Surf package. If you just want to do 1 or 2 classes during your stay you can take it day by day from 25$-35$ a class depending if it’s a private one or a group one.
The yoga schedule is decided in relation to the surf lessons schedule, which are themselves decided upon the wave size and tides. So the general schedules of our hostel are constantly changing with nature’s rhythm.
Anyone aged 14 or over is entitled to stay at the hostel as long as they are accompanied by a parent/guardian that is over the age of 18. This must be pre-arranged with the hostel. Anyone over the age of 18 can stay here without any restrictions.
Sure, as long as you let us know by mail what time you’ll be arriving when you make your initial booking. We can then arrange your arrival with our driver if you want to use our transport services, or we will explain to you how to access to your room via email.
Unfortunately no. Best option would be to withdraw cash when you arrive in Guayaquil. Playas is the closest town and it’s fairly big there you will find plenty of ATMs. The buses between Puerto Engabao and Playas leave every 25 minutes.
Yes we do! Depending on the season and packages available, dinner and breakfast is cooked and served by the Free Spirit staff. However, the guest kitchen is equipped with a stove/oven, a fridge, cooking supplies and a cabinet to store your food, is accessible anytime.
Free Spirit Hostel Ecuador
Sea you there!