Flights to Manta Airport (MEC)

Discover Manta

Cheap Flights to Manta Airport

Manta is a mid-sized port city located in Ecuador. Travelers arriving by air choose flights to Manta Airport (MEC). Filled with tropical landscapes and friendly residents, Manta is the world’s largest exporter of cacao beans and a popular destination for chocolatiers. Because the city is named after the equator that runs through the center of the region, visitors are frequently spotted standing on the line that marks the middle of the globe. The Galapagos Islands are perhaps the main attraction of the province, but the Amazon rainforest and the Andes Mountains are also popular destinations.

Facilities at Manta Airport

Manta Airport is a combination military and civilian airfield with very few facilities to speak of. Cheap flights to Manta Airport (MEC) can be scheduled through Copa Airlines, Avianca and TAME Vuela Ecuador Airlines. The airport has a definitive industrial feel, but guests will enjoy high-end luxuries like free Wi-Fi.

There are several transportation options when you're ready to head to the city center. Car rentals are the most popular choice. Manta also has a local bus route that takes you inside the city and to surrounding areas. Travel outside of Manta costs around $1 to $2 per hour, and bus fare to downtown is just 25 cents. Hire a taxi for around $3 to $4 within city limits, or pay approximately $10 for a trip out of the city.

Things to Do Near Manta Airport

Once you’ve arrived on your flight to Manta Airport (MEC), you will find a wealth of things to do. Coffee lovers enjoy touring the cacao farms and learning how the beans are harvested. You can even help grind the beans and make your own batch of artisanal chocolate.

Ecuador sits on an avenue of volcanoes known as the Ring of Fire. These volcanoes are definitely a must-see. The Tungurahua is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, and the Kichwa has erupted daily since 1999. Other popular activities include iguana spotting in the Galapagos and whale watching in Puerto Lopez.

If you are an adventure seeker, you can choose from Ibarra rafting, swing jumping, trekking, climbing, kayaking, or exploring the lava tubes. The beautiful beaches of Los Frailes and Tortuga Bay provide white sand, clear water, and excellent surfing.

Shopping opportunities abound in Manta. For local fare, visit the Otavalo Market where you can choose from a wide selection of handmade crafts. Roses are extremely inexpensive in Manta due to the excellent growing conditions, so you can purchase a dozen for that special someone for around $2 a dozen.

Travel Tips for Manta Airport

The best time to schedule cheap flights to Manta Airport (MEC) is during the high season from June until September. Temperatures hover around 85 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the summer months, and so you can look forward to beautiful outdoor exploring conditions.

Football and bullfighting are popular spectator sports, or you can play 18 holes at the Montecristo Golf Club. If you are interested in experiencing Manta culture firsthand, you can stay at one of the family-run guesthouses for a few dollars per night. The average meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs $6 to $10 dollars, and roasted guinea pigs are considered a delicacy.