Royal Decameron Mompiche
Royal Decameron Mompiche is for a very specific traveler: someone who wants to genuinely get away from it all, is comfortable with a long drive to reach the property, and finds real value in natural surroundings over polished resort infrastructure. It opened on 20 December 2009 as Ecuador's first all-inclusive resort and marked 15 years in December 2024, with a staff of more than 430 drawn mostly from Esmeraldas province. The destination itself is striking: lush tropical forest meets the Pacific, six kinds of mangrove surround you, and Mompiche village retains an authentic fishing-community feel that mass tourism has not smoothed over. No other all-inclusive in Ecuador offers this combination of full package convenience and off-grid atmosphere.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Genuinely remote, off-the-beaten-path setting in a fishing village wrapped in six types of mangrove forest, with hikes to waterfalls and trails, and Playa Negra, where the titanium-rich sand glints silver and a long left-hand wave breaks, just 10 minutes away
- +All 282 rooms sit in buildings tiered up a hillside above the Pacific and every one has a terrace or balcony; the Ocean Front and Ocean View categories face the water, while Standard rooms do not promise a sea view
- +Three a la carte restaurants named on Decameron's own all-inclusive page: Acantilado for fish and seafood, MISO for Thai dishes and a sushi bar, and Il Forno for Italian, alongside the international buffet and a snack bar, with specialty dinners included on a reservation
- +The Portete Ville Beach Club on Portete Island has its own bar and snack bar and the activities team runs programs there, so it works as a day trip within the resort; access depends on the tides
- +Five pools for adults and children plus a jacuzzi reserved for ages 15 and up keep the property from feeling crowded
- +Humpback whale watching runs from Mompiche June through September, one of the most accessible whale seasons on Ecuador's coast, and the hotel's excursions counter books the boats
- +The El Fortín nightclub is on site and included, and Decameron runs live shows every night, which families with kids and groups both appreciate
Cons
- −Getting there is a commitment: the nearest airport, Esmeraldas, is about 140 km and two to three hours away by road, and from Quito it is roughly 357 km and five and a half to six hours of driving
- −As of August 2026 the US State Department keeps Ecuador at Level 2, lists Esmeraldas city and everything north of it as Do Not Travel, and says to reconsider travel to the areas south of the city, which is where Mompiche sits; check your own government's advice and your insurer before booking
- −Decameron's booking page promises Wi-Fi in common areas only, and in-room signal is a consistent complaint from anyone who needs connectivity
- −Check-in is 3pm on paper and is frequently described as slow and disorganised, sometimes taking an hour or two on busy arrival days
- −Hot water is inconsistent and room maintenance issues come up regularly: broken fixtures, dated furnishings and air conditioning problems that take time to resolve
- −Buffet variety does not match the specialty restaurants and some guests find it repetitive after a few days
- −The plan covers national-brand liquor, in Decameron's own words, so premium spirits and decent wine are limited and the bar drinks are described as basic
- −Rates feel high relative to the overall quality and the remoteness, and some travelers feel the value does not hold up against Decameron properties in easier-to-reach locations
The three specialty restaurants are a real standout for a Decameron property: Acantilado for fish and seafood, MISO for Thai and sushi, and Il Forno for Italian, all included with a reservation, backed by an international buffet and a snack bar. The bars are the lobby bar, the Vista al Mar cliff bar, Los Piqueros at the pools, the Las Islas bar at MISO and the one at the beach club. Rooms climb a hillside in tiers above the sea and every one has a terrace or balcony, five pools spread the crowd out, the jacuzzi is adults and teens only (15 and up), and the Portete Ville Beach Club on Portete Island adds a boat-trip element whenever the tide allows. The main frustrations are logistical: check-in can be chaotic, hot water is unreliable in some rooms, Wi-Fi is only promised in common areas, and the drinks are national brands.
This property works best for nature-minded couples, surfers who want a base near Playa Negra, families open to a real adventure in Ecuador, and travelers who have already done the typical Caribbean or Mexican all-inclusive and want something different. The security picture needs a look first: as of August 2026 the US advisory tells travelers to reconsider trips to the parts of Esmeraldas province south of the city, which includes Mompiche, and not to travel to the city or anywhere north of it. Beyond the gates, whale watching in season, mangrove hikes, waterfall trails, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and diving, and the Mache-Chindul Ecological Reserve give you plenty of reasons to leave the resort.
Common Questions
How long does it take to get to Mompiche, and is the journey worth it?
Is Mompiche safe to visit given the Esmeraldas advisory?
Is the surfing at Mompiche as good as people say?
Can you see whales from the resort?
How good is the food compared to other Decameron properties?
Is this resort good for families with kids?
Restaurants (4)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Restaurante Portete |
| Italian | Restaurante Il Forno |
| Asian | Restaurante MISO |
| Seafood | Restaurante Acantilado |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
Mompiche11 min drive · 2.9 mi
11 min drive · 2.9 mi
More things to do (5)
- Playa Negra (Mompiche) · beach4 min drive · 0.7 mi
- Portete · beach5 min drive · 1.1 mi
- Whale watching from Mompiche (June to October) · excursion11 min drive · 2.9 mi
- Muisne · town55 min drive · 32 mi
- Same · beach60 min drive · 40 mi
Amenities
Google Reviews★ 4.5 · 7,474 reviews
“I stayed here as a family of 4 a few years ago. When we arrived after an 8 hour drive from Quito honestly we were very disappointed with our room which had no view and the sliding doors didn’t shut or lock properly, so we complained and got moved to...”
“Recently came back after eleven years of my first visit. I am glad to say that the rooms and buildings have been well kept. The service keeps being top of the line, very kind, friendly and helpful. It is also helpful that the personnel is still count...”
