Machala is the capital of El Oro province, Ecuador. It is located three hours south of Guayaquil, located near the Gulf of Guayaquil. Machala is also known as the "Banana Capital of the World" — "Capital Bananera del Mundo" in Spanish. Machala has the second most important port in Ecuador. From Puerto Bolívar, mainly bananas and shrimp are exported, which are shipped mostly to North America. About the altitude, Machala has an elevation of 20 feet (6 meters) above sea level.

One of the tourist destinations near Machala is Jambeli beach, where locals gather especially during weekends. Machala's square, in the center of town, has a beautiful church at one end and government buildings at the other.

Local holidays are the Provincialization of El Oro on April 23 and the Cantonization of Machala on June 25.