Balsa Surf Camp by Rotamundos

3.0 star property
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Balsa Surf Camp by Rotamundos

Exterior
Reception hall
Family Room
Yoga
Hallway

Reviews

9.6 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Bar
    Bar
  • Spa
    Spa
  • 24/7 front desk
    24/7 front desk
  • Breakfast included
    Breakfast included
  • Laundry
    Laundry
  • Housekeeping
    Housekeeping

Explore the area

Map
Barrio La Punta, Manglaralto, Santa Elena
  • Montañita Beach
    7 min walk
  • Montanita Church
    9 min walk
  • Montanita Spanish School
    11 min walk
  • Salinas (SNC-General Ulpiano Paez)
    82 min drive

Room options

Family Room

  • Sleeps 5
  • 3 Twin Beds and 1 Queen Bed

Standard Quadruple Room

  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Beds

Standard Triple Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Double Bed

Standard Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Superior Studio Suite

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Double Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Standard Double Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

Family Room

  • Sleeps 5
  • 3 Twin Beds and 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Standard Triple Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Standard Double Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Montanita

When you stay at Balsa Surf Camp by Rotamundos in Manglaralto, you'll be near the beach, within a 10-minute walk of Montañita Beach and Montanita Church. .This spa hotel is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Montanita Spanish School and 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from Montanita Point.

What's nearby

  • Montañita Beach - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Montanita Church - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Montanita Spanish School - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Montanita Point - 3 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Olon Beach - 10 min drive - 4.5 km

Getting around

  • Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Intl. Airport (GYE) - 179 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Wave - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Restaurante El Surfista - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Shankha - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Restaurant Ebenezer - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Tiki Limbo - ‬11 min walk

About this property

Balsa Surf Camp by Rotamundos

Hotel with a full-service spa, a short walk to Montañita Beach
Balsa Surf Camp by Rotamundos offers 12 accommodations with DVD players and safes. Rooms open to furnished balconies. This Manglaralto hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Rooms have detached private bathrooms. Bathrooms include bathtubs with rainfall showerheads, and complimentary toiletries. Housekeeping is provided daily.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the hotel's full-service spa. Services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, Swedish massages, and body treatments. The spa is equipped with a spa tub and Turkish bath/hammam. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and reflexology. The spa is open daily.
Make yourself at home in one of the 12 guestrooms featuring DVD players. Rooms have private furnished balconies. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with bathtubs feature rainfall showerheads and complimentary toiletries.
Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages and body treatments. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and a picnic area.
At Balsa Surf Camp by Rotamundos, enjoy a satisfying meal at the restaurant. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. A complimentary full breakfast is served daily from 8:30 AM to 11 AM.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, and laundry facilities. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available on request), and free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary full breakfast is served each morning between 8:30 AM and 11 AM.
Onsite venue - This restaurant specializes in Regional cuisine and serves lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • Free self-parking on site
  • Return airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Airport shuttle on request

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 8:30 AM–11 AM
  • 1 restaurant
  • 1 bar

Things to do

  • Full-service spa

Family friendly

  • DVD player
  • Laundry facilities
  • Separate living room

Conveniences

  • Reception hall

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Concierge services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Tour/ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Body treatments
  • Massage - deep-tissue
  • Massage - hot stone
  • Massage - Swedish
  • Reflexology
  • Spa open daily
  • Hot tub
  • Turkish bath/hammam

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Ceiling fan

Bathroom

  • Bath
  • Free toiletries
  • Private bathroom (not in room)
  • Rainfall showerhead

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • TV

More

  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: noon
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

The property charges 8 percent for credit card payments
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
5 children, up to the age of 1, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Ecuador value-added tax (15%). Nonresident travelers who present a valid passport and tourist visa may be eligible for a tax refund. However, nonresident travelers may be exempt from value-added tax (15%) on package bookings.
  • Deposit is payable by PayPal and is due within 48 hours of booking the reservation.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 100 per vehicle (roundtrip)
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 8 percent

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
This property requires a 50% deposit via bank transfer or PayPal, due within 48 hours of booking the reservation.

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property

Property is also known as

Balsa Surf
Balsa Surf Camp
Balsa Surf Camp Hotel
Balsa Surf Camp Hotel Montanita
Balsa Surf Camp Montanita
Balsa Surf Camp Hotel Manglaralto
Balsa Surf Camp Manglaralto
Balsa Surf Camp
Balsa Surf Camp by Rotamundos Hotel
Balsa Surf Camp by Rotamundos Manglaralto
Balsa Surf Camp by Rotamundos Hotel Manglaralto

Balsa Surf Camp by Rotamundos Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 30 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 30 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 30 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 30 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 30 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Brad, Queensland, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Balsa Surf Camp is like staying with family! It has a wonderful atmosphere, and the location is nice and quiet within a very easy walk to town. For a surfing adventure, everything is at your fingertips and the team are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed the daily yoga, thank you to the wonderful instructor Darcy Lynch. I will visit Montanita again, and I wouldn't think of staying anywhere other than Balsa.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Barb, Philadelphia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was a little tropical oasis! The ambiance of the place is laid back and comfortable. Everyone is friendly. The food is good. The yoga class is good. The location is fantastic. If I ever return to montanita (and I probably will), I would not stay anywhere else!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing place to relax and unwind. Very friendly staff, great breakfast, yoga and beach, only problem was we didn’t stay longer!!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great vibes. Amazing food. Really kind and attentive staff. Very relaxing atmosphere.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The property was beautiful. The staff was wonderful and so warm and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Very good location as it is close to the beach and far enough away from the sounds from the bars downtown. The staff are very friendly... this was the third time we stayed here
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

tyler, cleveland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Paradise on the beach
They have an amazing sense of community at the hotel and it’s so relaxing I can’t wait to come back. People say montanita is too loud and to stay in olon but balsa is far enough away from downtown that it’s very tranquil. Also their surf lessons were awesome that’s a must do while you’re here.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

Andres

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A hideout
Amazing experience. Total unexpected. This is a retreat for anyone looking to be away from civilization, and city noise. Very peaceful experience, amazing staff, and the food totally down to earth. The place breaths stillness and calm with the sound of the crashing waves.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Corey, San Francisco, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location, service, chill vibe
I really enjoyed my time here. Location is perfect - away from the main town center of Montañita but close enough to walk to it. Great breakfast served every morning. Very relaxing to lounge in the hammocks. Great yoga classes taught by Duff. Great staff. Location is perfect if you're looking to relax, surf, yoga, etc. I will definitely return.

10/10 Excellent

Brooke , Byron Bay Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful little Haven right on the beach
What a great place balsa is. Set 10minites up the beach from montañita, it's the perfect place to stay away from the mayhem. Daily yoga, breakfast included is delicious. The staff are really friendly and helpful and they provide all the services of a hotel, in a laid back setting. The rooms are clean and comfortable, it's is quiet and has a great laid back vibe. There is other yoga studios and restaurants near by id you want to mix it up. Surf lessons and board hire at the surf shop on site too. The massage and healing at the spa was amazing. All in all a great weeks stay in Ecuador! As a solo female traveller I felt safe and comfortable here. Definitely recommend for those not wanting to live in amongst the party of the town.

10/10 Excellent

Adam D, Portland Oregon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great beach access is just a few steps away. Quiet yet close.

6/10 Okay

Juan

Liked: Cleanliness
Hotel did not have hot water or a TV. Place was clean and staff very friendly. Far from the noisy montanita, yet close enough so you can enjoy the nightlife of the town.

10/10 Excellent

Megan, Madison, WI

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Most Amazing Hotel!
This hotel was nothing short of Amazing! The hotel had all of the amenities that you would want in a very nice hotel, the bathroom was SO clean and nice. The bed was of ok comfort, but nothing bad about it. The mosquito netting was wonderful! There was a table and 2 chairs to sit in, a wardrobe for clothes with drawers and hangers, a lockable drawer and a safety box with 2 locks in the room. They also had a fan! There was a balcony, with a hammock, a chair hammock, a couch AND a table. It was so Amazing, besides the pampering amenities, it was also very ecological! The materials we all very ecological, the design as well. They reuse the waste water to help water the garden which is simply amazing! The staff are SO helpful, there is always someone at the desk ready to speak English of Spanish (and French too I believe!). They will help you with anything from, towels in your room, restaurant suggestions, where to get sun screen in town, how to get to other cities, etc. They whole trip was AMAZING, a breeze, nothing was overlooked and I felt completely at home with them.

8/10 Good

Joe, Phoenix

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good place for a stay.
Great staff, very helpful and accommodating. Not right on the beach but a very very short walk to the beach and is located far enough from the weekend high volume night noise in town (but close enough to walk the beach to the middle of town to partake in the atmosphere). Bottom line is if you plan to turn in before 2 am on the weekend consider the short walk to the middle of town as a good thing

10/10 Excellent

Shawn, Cuenca, Ecuador

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hotel on the Beach.
Wonderful place with great staff! Breakfast served until 11am.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great hotel!
Lovely spot, not far from town centre but far enough to be able to sleep at night. Rooms lovely, most staff great one or two needed a bit more sleep (were fairly grumpy). But would defo stay again

10/10 Excellent

Real, Ottawa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Close, clean and friendly
This places is close enough to be able to walk to town, but far enough that you dont hear all the noise. It's clean and the staff is very helpful.

10/10 Excellent

Arie, NY

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed for 5 nights with my girlfriend. The owners of the hotel are lovely people, they were both very helpful and attentive and even gave us a free breakfast when we showed up way before our check-in time. The property is beautiful and relaxing. If you want to surf this is the place to stay. The owner shapes his own balsa boards which he rents and sells. they are beautiful boards, he has every shape and length you could want, and a short alley leads you directly to the best surf spot in montanita, a 30 second walk from your door. It was also nice not to sleep in the middle of the rave that is downtown montanita. It's only a 10 minute walk along the beach away from the center of town, but its totally tranquil. Breakfast was free and delicious everyday and the fries I ordered as a snack were great. The only downsides were the Internet was weak sometimes, but that's been the case pretty much everywhere I've traveled in S.A., and the hot water ran out a couple of times, but it would come back if you let it rest for a bit.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
More than we expected
Balsa was great. Clean, quiet, friendly, and worth the extra money compared to other places.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel to relax and surf
Good located, 10min to walk to the center of montanita (party place -> very noisy during the nights). You dont hear the party music at the hotel. Breakfast is very good. Nice garden in the hotel area. Absolutly recommendable.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Surf Camping in Montanita
We spent a week at Balsa Surf Camp and were really happy with our stay. In the village there are cheaper options, but if you are not travelling on a shoestring budget we would highly recommend this place. Carefully crafted balsa/bamboo huts stand in a paradise like garden. Surfboards available for rent at the camp and there is only one minute walk to the beach – right at “the point break”. Breakfast was delicious and staff was friendly and helpful. The bed was a little hard for our taste, but this is understandable as Balsa is a surf camp, not a spa. :)

10/10 Excellent

Calin Dan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Muy relajante !!!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
El trato, instalaciones y ubicación excelente . El restaurant es muy bueno
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Calin Dan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Es un hotel muy acogedor, cerca de la playa y alejado del ruido . El personal es fantástico
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018