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MECSEMT

Eloy Alfaro International Airport

Manta, EC

Airportist Score

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MECSEMTNormal

Eloy Alfaro International Airport

Manta, Ecuador · South America

Manabí’s Manta coastal gateway with Priority Pass Salas VIP Manta by Layover Stay airside after control — morning-heavy split hours (roughly 06:00–09:00 most weekdays; Sunday 13:00–21:00 on strip), max stay listed as both 2h and 3h on PP conditions, wine-only complimentary alcohol, shirt-and-shoes dress code — for domestic and international passengers.

Airportist Score

6.4/ 10

Mixed

Ease of use7.0
Comfort & amenities6.0
Food & retail5.6
Ground access6.6
Reliability6.4
Lounges6.2

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

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All airports Official site

MECSEMTNormal

Eloy Alfaro International Airport

Manta, Ecuador · South America

Manabí’s Manta coastal gateway with Priority Pass Salas VIP Manta by Layover Stay airside after control — morning-heavy split hours (roughly 06:00–09:00 most weekdays; Sunday 13:00–21:00 on strip), max stay listed as both 2h and 3h on PP conditions, wine-only complimentary alcohol, shirt-and-shoes dress code — for domestic and international passengers.

Airportist Score

6.4/ 10

Mixed

Ease of use7.0
Comfort & amenities6.0
Food & retail5.6
Ground access6.6
Reliability6.4
Lounges6.2

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare MEC with another airport

Best way to city
~15–25 min typical drive framing — confirm live
Taxi / ride-hail
Lounge
1
Terminals
Single passenger terminal (domestic + limited international)

Alternatives

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Passenger airports within about 150 km. Scored airports show their Airportist Score so you can weigh a switch.

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SNCGeneral Ulpiano Paez Airport
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144 km

PVOReales Tamarindos Airport
Portoviejo
26 km
JIPJipijapa Airport
Jipijapa
26 km
BHALos Perales Airport
Bahia de Caraquez
49 km
SNCGeneral Ulpiano Paez Airport
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144 km

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MECGuide

MECGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

PP hours

Morning-heavy split · Sunday afternoon

PP strip: roughly 06:00–09:00 most days (Wed 07:00–09:00; Thu 06:30–09:00); Sunday 13:00–21:00.

Match your bank to the strip — evening weekday banks often miss the lounge.

Find it

After control · left and right VIP rooms

PP: after control / pre-boarding; VIP rooms left and right for domestic and international.

Same-day boarding pass expected.

Drinks

Wine only + soft drinks

PP: complimentary standard alcohol limited to wine; soft drinks listed.

Shirt and shoes required; max stay ≤2–3h on conflicting strip notes.

Banks

Coastal Ecuador connectors

LATAM / Avianca / Copa-style UIO–GYE–regional product — confirm live.

Do not invent frequencies beyond published boards.

Live conditions

Right now at MEC

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Priority Pass holders whose bank hits the published morning (or Sunday afternoon) window
LATAM / Avianca / Copa-style Quito–Guayaquil–regional banks — confirm live
Compact Manabí single-terminal plant

Watch out for

PP hours are split and morning-heavy — miss the window and there is no lounge
PP conditions list both 2h and 3h max stay — treat as ≤2–3h; confirm live strip
Complimentary alcohol limited to wine; shirt and shoes required
No published MCT

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

7.0

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

6.0

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

5.6

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.6

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.4

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

6.2

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Terminals

Single passenger terminal (domestic + limited international)

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for MEC.

Updated Sep 25, 2026

IATA MEC / ICAO SEMT — Eloy Alfaro International (Manta)
GPS -0.9461, -80.6788 · Manabí coast
Salas VIP Manta by Layover Stay (PP) — airside after control; morning split hours (see PP day strip; Sunday 13:00–21:00); max ≤2–3h; wine only; dress code
LATAM / Avianca / Copa-style banks — confirm live
No official MCT or security wait minutes — omitted

3 official sources

https://www.prioritypass.com/es-LA/lounges/ecuador/eloy-alfaro-international/mec-salas-vip-manta-by-layover-stay
https://www.aviacioncivil.gob.ec/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eloy_Alfaro_International_Airport

Full guide

Explore the MEC guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Getting There
2 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Taxi / ride-hail
View Getting There
Lounges
1 lounge with access rules, hours, and verdicts.
Salas VIP Manta by Layover Stay
View Lounges
Traveler Tips
Match departure to the PP day strip — evening weekday banks often miss it.
6 tips & hacks
View Traveler Tips
Amenities
3 rated amenities — food, Wi-Fi, quiet spots, family, and sleep.
Salas VIP Manta by Layover Stay (PP)Coastal Ecuador banks
View Amenities
Water
No authoritative fountain map or official bottle tariff → empty water_options.
View Water
Reviews
Editorial and traveler reviews — what people actually complain about.
View Reviews

☁️25°C / 77°F

Security wait times

Current security wait information is not available for this airport. Check the airport's official website or app before travel.

Official airport site

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 27, 04:11 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.