DESTINATION MONTECRISTI

At the Origins. In Ecuador’s province of Manabí, there is a small town with a grand reputation. Situated on hilly slopes, not far from the coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean: here for more than 3 centuries, a very fine elastic and shiny straw has been woven from fibers of a native palm. The name of this town is Montecristi, universally recognized as the cradle of Panama hats.