Between 1999 and 2009, Manta shared its airport with the U.S. Air Force in unison with Ecuador in strategic warfare against Colombian drug cartel traffic through surveillance flights in an effort to stop the flow of illegal narcotics. In 1996 a Boeing 707 cargo aircraft crashed into a wooden church located in Manta. It was reported that amazingly the statue of the virgin remained intact. Manta was also the host city for the sixth South American Windsurfing Championship in 1991.

Manta, Ecuador, boasts a rich history that dates back to pre-Columbian times. Originally inhabited by the Manteño civilization between 800 and 1532 AD, the region was an important trade hub for indigenous peoples, connecting the Ecuadorian coast with other cultures along the Pacific. The Manteños were skilled seafarers, known for their large rafts that carried goods such as textiles, shells, and ceramics across long distances.

When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, Manta became a key port in their colonial trade routes. Over time, the city developed into a significant fishing and maritime center, particularly excelling in tuna fishing, which continues to be a major industry today. Despite modernization, Manta has retained its historical significance through archaeological sites, museums, and local traditions that reflect its indigenous and colonial past.

Today, visitors can explore this history by visiting the Central Bank Museum in Manta, which showcases Manteño artifacts, or by taking a trip to the nearby Pacoche Forest Reserve, where pre-Columbian sites and natural beauty merge to tell the story of the region's early inhabitants.