Refugio de Vida Silvestre Manglares Estuario Río Muisne

This wildlife refuge spreads across more than 90,000 hectares along Ecuador's Pacific coast, combining dense mangrove forests with shallow coastal waters. The landscape consists of winding waterways threading between tangled root systems, creating a web of channels and shallow pools.

The refuge was established in 2003 to protect mangrove forests that had suffered widespread destruction during the 1980s from shrimp farming expansion. Its creation marked a turning point in recognizing the need to preserve these vital ecosystems.

Local people have fished these mangrove channels for generations, harvesting mollusks and crustaceans as part of their daily routine. This way of life remains central to the community's connection with the estuary.

The main route goes from Quito to Esmeraldas, then by boat from the Muisne dock into the mangrove channels. Visitors should wear waterproof clothing, sturdy shoes, and bring insect repellent since conditions are warm, damp, and prone to mosquitoes.

Four sea turtle species come here to nest and lay eggs, making this one of the most important nesting grounds on South America's Pacific coast. The refuge also shelters six different mangrove species rarely seen together in one place.