Our Place

Surf, yoga, and community in Puerto Engabao

Hostel / Hybrid
Lodge

Your Hosts

LGBTQIA+ Friendly
Pet Friendly
Good for Weekly Stays (7-28 Days)
Good for Monthly Stays (28+ Days)
Good for 18-35 Year Olds
Good for Adults Only
Good for Couples
Good for Groups
Good for Remote Work
Good for Retreats
Good for Solo Travelers
Good for Unplugging

Your Stay

Surf, yoga, and family-style community

Active & Outdoors
Adventurous & Extreme
Delicious & Indulgent
Escape & Off-Grid
Productive & Focused
Slow & Simple
Social & Communal
Wellness & Spiritual

Our Neighborhood

Authentic coastal living off the beaten path!

Beach
Rural
Village
Hostel / Hybrid
Lodge

Surf, yoga, and community in Puerto Engabao

An authentic Ecuadorian experience away from the crowds, where guests become family.

  • Located in the authentic fishing village of Puerto Engabao, our hostel offers a soul-filled escape for those looking to connect with nature and like-minded travelers. Since 2019, we’ve provided a space where surfing, yoga, and communal living intersect to create a truly "Free Spirit" environment.

  • Our famous family-style vegetarian dinners bring everyone together at one big table. We also pride ourselves on our local roots, working closely with village partners like our taxi driver, Don Vicente.

Our sleeping quarters are designed with love for travelers who value both community and a peaceful night’s rest. We offer a mix of shared dorms and private rooms, all featuring comfortable mattresses and fresh linens to ensure you’re recharged for the morning surf.
The rooms are built to catch the natural ocean breeze, providing a cool, breezy atmosphere that makes falling asleep to the sound of the Pacific easy and natural.

  • Air Conditioning
  • Desk
  • Lockers
  • Outdoor Fireplace
  • Towels - Bath

We offer a full experience beyond just a bed. Enjoy our outdoor pool, bar, and high-speed Wi-Fi, daily yoga, surf lessons, and board rentals. We aslo offer free daily activities and local tours. Everything you need for an active, community-focused stay is right here.
To ensure a seamless arrival, we offer a dedicated airport shuttle service from Guayaquil (GYE) through our trusted local partners. We also provide secure baggage storage and free on-site parking for those traveling with their own vehicles. Whether you need laundry services after a week on the road or local tips from our front desk team, we are here to ensure your stay in Puerto Engabao is comfortable and stress-free.

  • Beach / Pool Chairs
  • Beach / Pool Towels
  • Gift Shop
  • Laundry Service
  • Library
  • Parking - Free
  • Pool - Outdoor (Year-Round)
  • Sport Facilities

Our space is built for connection and relaxation. You can enjoy our refreshing pool, stretch out on the yoga deck, or hang out in the common area for a round of billiards or ping-pong. Between the lush garden and our cozy common areas full of hammocks, there is always a spot to enjoy the coastal breeze. Whether you’re joining a group activity or finding a quiet corner to unplug, the atmosphere here is all about balance and good energy.

  • Garden
  • Living Room
  • Play Area
  • Playground
  • Pool
  • Pool - Outdoor (Year-Round)
  • Sports Facilities
  • Wellness / Yoga Facilities

Food is at the heart of our community. We are famous for our family-style vegetarian dinners, where guests and staff gather at one big table to share stories and a home-cooked meal. Our on-site bar serves refreshing drinks throughout the day, and we provide a communal kitchen for those who prefer to cook their own lunch. Whether it’s a healthy breakfast to fuel your surf or a sunset drink with new friends, our dining experience is all about connection and fresh, local flavors.

  • Kitchen
  • Bar / Lounge
  • Breakfast & Brunch
  • Dinner

Our coworking space offers high-speed Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. We know reliability is key, so we have a backup generator to keep you online in case of power outages. Our space provides the perfect balance of productivity and coastal vibes.

  • Meeting Rooms
LGBTQIA+ Friendly
Pet Friendly
Good for Weekly Stays (7-28 Days)
Good for Monthly Stays (28+ Days)
Good for 18-35 Year Olds
Good for Adults Only
Good for Couples
Good for Groups
Good for Remote Work
Good for Retreats
Good for Solo Travelers
Good for Unplugging

I traded the mountains for the waves to create a place where community and connection come first.

  • My journey to Puerto Engabao began with a realization that the fast-paced life I was living in Switzerland no longer felt like my own. I decided to quit my job and follow the ocean, eventually falling in love with surfing. I knew then that I didn’t want to just be a tourist; I wanted to build a life where I could surf every day in a bikini and wake up to the sound of the Pacific.

  • My goal is for our guests to travel and stay together with a “slow and simple” mindset. I want them to leave Puerto Engabao realizing that you don’t need much to be happy: just a good wave, a meaningful conversation, and a community.

Active & Outdoors
Adventurous & Extreme
Delicious & Indulgent
Escape & Off-Grid
Productive & Focused
Slow & Simple
Social & Communal
Wellness & Spiritual

Surf, yoga, and family-style community

Discover a place where community, surfing, and wellness meet. Whether you're working remotely or chasing waves, you'll find your rhythm in our quiet fishing village.

  • We encourage our guests to be active guardians of our coastline. And to do so, we offer a “trash for treats” incentive: any guest who collects a full bag of plastic or trash from the beach is rewarded with a free drink at our bar.
    We are committed to a circular waste system where nothing goes to waste. All of our organic food scraps are collected and given to a local family in the village to feed their pigs and chickens, supporting local food cycles. We also manage a dedicated recycling system on-site to minimize our environmental impact. By staying with us, you are part of a community that prioritizes a “slow and simple” lifestyle, ensuring we leave Puerto Engabao as beautiful as we found it.

  • We believe in tourism that gives back to our neighbors. We actively support our local community, sponsoring the local female pro surfer, by partnering with local staff, including our cleaning and kitchen team, and our trusted driver for all guest transfers.
    Our guests have the unique opportunity to learn from the community through Ecuadorian cooking classes taught by local chefs from the village, providing a truly authentic (and delicious) cultural exchange. We also take pride in our social impact projects, such as supporting the local skatepark, which has created a vibrant sports culture for local kids. By staying with us, you are directly supporting these grassroots initiatives and the families of Puerto Engabao.

Beach
Rural
Village

Authentic coastal living off the beaten path!

Engabao Road, Équateur

  • Puerto Engabao is a hidden gem on the Ecuadorian coast. While other surf towns have become crowded and commercial, our village keeps its soul, where the rhythm of the day is set by the tides and the return of the local fishing boats.What makes our area truly special is the access to amazing waves without the heavy crowds. We are perfectly positioned between a consistent point break and a fun beach break, making it a paradise for surfers of all levels. For locals and guests alike, the village is a safe, welcoming community where you can walk the sandy streets, enjoy fresh seafood right from the ocean, and experience the genuine warmth of Ecuadorian hospitality in its purest form.

Getting here and exploring the coast is simple and stress-free. We provide a reliable airport taxi service from Guayaquil (GYE) through our long-term partner, Don Vicente, ensuring a smooth transition from the city to the beach.
For local trips, there is a convenient local bus that runs every 20 to 30 minutes to Playas, the nearest town. It’s a great way to explore like a local for only 90ct. For your daily adventures, we offer on-site surfboard rentals so you can head straight to the point break. Whether you’re arriving from abroad or heading out for a day of exploration, we handle the logistics so you can focus on the journey.

  • Public Transport Nearby
  • Shuttle Service - Airport - Paid
  • Shuttle Service - Paid

We offer a variety of ways to move your body and expand your horizons. Our core focus is on surfing and yoga, with daily sessions led by experienced instructors who meet you at your skill level. For those wanting to dive deeper into the local culture, we organize Ecuadorian cooking classes where you can learn to prepare traditional coastal dishes using fresh, local ingredients.
Beyond our scheduled lessons, we offer guided local tours to help you discover the hidden corners of the area. We also host a rotating schedule of free daily activities, ranging from community bonfires to creative workshops, ensuring there is always an opportunity to learn something new while connecting with fellow travelers.

  • Active & Outdoors
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Wellness
  • Languages & Cultures
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Billiards
  • Cooking Classes
  • Fishing
  • Fitness Classes
  • Hiking
  • Nightlife
  • Yoga Classes

  • Health & Wellness
  • Markets & Shopping
  • Volunteering & Activism
Engabao Road, Équateur

Free Spirit hostel Ecuador

Hostel / Hybrid
Lodge
LGBTQIA+ Friendly
Pet Friendly
Good for Weekly Stays (7-28 Days)
Good for Monthly Stays (28+ Days)
Good for 18-35 Year Olds
Good for Adults Only
Good for Couples
Good for Groups
Good for Remote Work
Good for Retreats
Good for Solo Travelers
Good for Unplugging
Active & Outdoors
Adventurous & Extreme
Delicious & Indulgent
Escape & Off-Grid
Productive & Focused
Slow & Simple
Social & Communal
Wellness & Spiritual
Beach
Rural
Village

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