Riobamba is located in the heart of Ecuador. Closest beaches to Riobamba are located on the Pacific Coast. The nearest beach is known as “Playas”, its full name is General Villamil Playas, located in the Guayas province. Although you will find the most beautiful beaches in the Santa Elena province. If you are planning to ... Read more
The beach of Los Frailes is part of the protected area of the Machalilla National Park. It is located 6 mi (10 km) north of Puerto López, in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. The beach of Los Frailes has clear blue waters and very calm, creating a feeling of peace and relaxation. Los Frailes is ... Read more
Cuenca, Ecuador is a great town, except for one thing; it’s not on the water. Closest beaches to Cuenca are located on the Pacific Coast. The nearest beach is Jambeli island, located near the coast of Machala, but you will find the best Ecuadorian beaches in Santa Elena. We recommend travel north the Coast, and stop ... Read more
Here is a guide to the best beaches to visit in Ecuador. Ecuador has miles of Pacific coastline. Ecuador has beautiful beaches along the Pacific coast. The peninsula of Santa Elena and Manabi are the home to dozens of beautiful beaches. Best time to visit for hot weather is during the dry season, from December to May. This is also the high season, so beaches are crowded. Although water is colder from June to November, it is a great time for whale-watching, especially from late June to early October.
When it comes to beaches, Ecuador offers something for everyone. Learn where to go scuba diving, snorkeling, or surfing. There are big resorts to stay as well as many small fishing villages with affordable places. Here is a guide to help you plan your beach vacation.
Find the best Beaches near Guayaquil. Closest beaches to Guayaquil are located West of the city, on the Pacific Coast. The nearest beach is called “Playas”, located in the town of General Villamil Playas. In the same Guayas province, going South there are the beaches of Data and Posorja. Although, if you are willing to travel a … Read more
Riobamba is located in the heart of Ecuador. Closest beaches to Riobamba are located on the Pacific Coast. The nearest beach is known as “Playas”, its full name is General Villamil Playas, located in the Guayas province. Although you will find the most beautiful beaches in the Santa Elena province. If you are planning to … Read more
Quito is the capital of Ecuador. It is an incredible destination to visit, full of history and natural wonders very close to the city, but it has no beaches. The closest beaches to Quito are on the Pacific coast. The nearest beach is Atacames, Esmeraldas. Esmeraldas is a province with beautiful beaches. Although, many locals … Read more
Cuenca, Ecuador is a great town, except for one thing; it’s not on the water. Closest beaches to Cuenca are located on the Pacific Coast. The nearest beach is Jambeli island, located near the coast of Machala, but you will find the best Ecuadorian beaches in Santa Elena. We recommend travel north the Coast, and stop … Read more
Machalilla National Park is one of the largest protected areas located in Manabi, Ecuador. The park has many islands and beautiful beaches to enjoy, from June to September, humpback whales arrive off the coast of the park to mate, especially near Puerto López.
Puná Island is a large island off the coast of the Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador. It has a protected area of 855 square km., well known for its great mangroves and great biodiversity. The island was created by the accumulation of materials on a core formed by volcanic rocks. Puna island is an ecological reserve that houses … Read more
Chipipe is a beach located west of Salinas Yacht Club, in the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador. Chipipe is a sector relatively close to Salinas. It has a more relaxed atmosphere than the Salinas beach. It has clear and calm water, without waves. Chipipe offers a pleasant atmosphere, an ideal place to go with family … Read more
Rabida Island is an unpopulated island. Most of the coastline is rocky except for a beach on the northeast side. Rabida Island has a peculiar red color, caused by the high contents of iron oxide in its sands. It has a large sea lion colony. It is a great place for swimming and snorkeling, where … Read more
Puerto Cayo is a fishing village located south of Manabí, Ecuador. Its beach is about 3 mi (5 km). Puerto Cayo is the closest port to the Machalilla National Park. Most of its inhabitants are engaged in fishing, others are engaged in the manufacture of fabrics and crafts. In front of the beach of Puerto … Read more
General Villamil Playas is known simply as “Playas” is the closest beach to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Only 60 mi (96 km) away — an hour’s drive by car. General Villamil Playas receives many local visitors, especially during the winter. General Villamil Playas has many seafood restaurants with delicious seafood as the main ingredient in many dishes … Read more
Ballenita is a coastal city located in the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador. This peaceful beach is only 5 minutes from La Libertad, 20 from Salinas and 40 from Montañita. Ballenita is visited mainly by local tourists. Most of them travel with their families during the weekend or on vacation. Ballenita has a viewpoint from … Read more
Ayangue is a small beach town in Ecuador. Ayangue beach is calm, water is warm with no currents, making it safe and kid-friendly. Along the beach, there are fishermen’s canoes and hut restaurants with typical coast region food, such as patacones (twice-fried green plantain chips) with fried fish. Ayange is close to the “El Pelado … Read more
Playa Rosada or pink beach is a coastal town located in Santa Elena province, Ecuador. Playa Rosada is a tranquil, secluded, pink-sand gem. This beach keeps its virgin nature and it is normally not crowded unless you go in high season, this is from January to April. Due to its natural habitat, there are no … Read more
Punta Carnero is a beach on an island located in the province of Santa Elena, 10 minutes by car from Salinas, Ecuador. It is one of the best places to see the sunset in all of Ecuador. In fact, the perfect place to sit and just watch the sun go down. Punta Carnero, which means … Read more
Mar Bravo is a beach located in the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador. A few minutes from Salinas, another coastal city. Mar Bravo is inside the are of the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE – “Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana” in Spanish.) As its name implies, it is a beach with a rough sea, in fact, “Mar Bravo” … Read more
Jambelí is an island surrounded by mangroves. It is located South of Ecuador. Jambelí is the closest beach to Machala. To reach Jambelí, visitors take a boat from Puerto Bolívar (international port). The trip last half an hour and cost around $5. Many local people from Jambelí offer their houses for rental. The island also … Read more
Portete Island or “Isla Portete” is a small island located south of Esmeraldas, Ecuador. It is less than 3.7 mi (6 km) long north to south and 1.2 mi (2 km) wide at the widest point. Portete Island is a very quiet place with beautiful coconut palm trees, ideal for walking along the beach and … Read more
Same beach is the north coast’s most popular beach in Esmeraldas, Ecuador. Same beach is not really a city or even a village but sector with a string of white hotels and apartments on a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) beach located 5 miles (8 km) south of the coastal town of Súa. The beach Same is … Read more
Súa beach is a fishing village surrounded by hills and cliffs, located 21.7 mi (35 km) from Esmeraldas city and 3.7 mi (6 km) south of Atacames, Ecuador. Súa beach has very calm waters, ideal for a family with children. It also has a distinctive rock called “suicide rock” – “Peñón del Suicida” in Spanish. This … Read more
Salinas is a coastal city located in the province of Santa Elena. Salinas is the main beach resort on the south coast of Ecuador. Salinas has a stretch of immaculate beach, also has popular beaches such as San Lorenzo and Chipipe. It also has a beautiful promenade known as Malecón. Along the Malecón, you can … Read more
Olón is a peaceful and quiet coastal town located in Santa Elena, Ecuador. Olón has clean and tranquil beaches, great for couples or families with children. It also has a short boardwalk (Malecón) lined up with restaurants and kiosks. Olón is a perfect place for activities such as sport fishing, water skiing, water sports, soccer, … Read more
La Libertad is a clean and organized coastal town located in Santa Elena, Ecuador. It is considered the largest commercial center in the Santa Elena peninsula. La Libertad has a nice church and a traditional boardwalk (Malecón) with benches, plants and lovely views. The beach along the Malecón is very narrow, and mostly submerged at … Read more
Montañita is a coastal town located in Santa Elena. It is considered one of the best beaches in Ecuador. This town has a bohemian touch. Montañita is usually crowded, with fun all around. It has lots of handcrafting shops, small rustic bars, restaurants with delicious food, and street vendors walking on the beach. Montañita is … Read more
Manta is a coastal city located in the province of Manabí. Known as the “Tuna Capital of the World.” Manta has the largest seaport in Ecuador. It is a stopping point for international cruise ships. It also has a local airport “Eloy Alfaro” with connections from Quito or Guayaquil. Manta has beautiful beaches accessible from the … Read more
The beach of Los Frailes is part of the protected area of the Machalilla National Park. It is located 6 mi (10 km) north of Puerto López, in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. The beach of Los Frailes has clear blue waters and very calm, creating a feeling of peace and relaxation. Los Frailes is … Read more
Isla de la Plata (“Silver Island”) is an island full of natural wildlife, located 25 mi (40 km) offshore. Isla de la Plata is part of Machalilla National Park and part of the Manabi Province, Ecuador. This natural reserve is home to many animals some of which migrate from Galapagos Islands, it includes blue-footed boodies, albatrosses, frigate birds, … Read more
Canoa is a beach town located in Manabí, north of Bahia Caraquez. Canoa has a long coastline surrounded by vegetation and big waves, which make it the perfect destination for surfers around the world. The town is small and not as developed as Atacames or Montañita, but it is a beautiful place indeed. Around its … Read more
Bahía de Caráquez is a charming beach city located on a peninsula in Manabí, Ecuador. Known simply as “Bahía”. Bahía de Caráquez has long with sandy beaches that run miles between the town and the fishing village of San Jacinto. On the northern side of the peninsula, there is a bridge connecting Bahía to other … Read more
San Cristobal island is located in the east side of the Galápagos archipelago. San Cristóbal Island lies approximately 600 miles (965 km) west of mainland Ecuador. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, capital of the province of Galapagos. Located southwest of San Cristobal.
Tonsupa is a small beach town located in Esmeraldas, Ecuador. This beach is one of the closest to Quito (245 mi – 394 km). Tonsupa offers basic amenities, like sunshades, deck chairs, and nearby restrooms in restaurants and hotels. Playa Tonsupa is a little quieter and less congested than Atacames. At night, you can stroll … Read more
Mompiche is a small fishing village in the south of Esmeraldas, Ecuador. Mompiche has amazing beaches of fine sand and big waves, surrounded by lush tropical forest. Surfing is a popular attraction throughout the year. The town of Mompiche is charming with only a few main streets. The high season is regularly congested with many … Read more
Atacames is a beach town located in the Esmeraldas province, Ecuador. Atacames is an exciting destination, full of friendly people that enjoy partying, especially at night. The beach area has a boardwalk, tons of bars, and restaurants right on the sand in the form of huts. There are many clubs to go out dancing and … Read more
Puerto López is a small fishing village, located in the center of the Machalilla National Park, in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. Puerto López is located in a wide bay surrounded by green hills. It is also the base to explore the beach of Los Frailes, considered the most beautiful stretch of the coast of … Read more
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of Galápagos Province, Ecuador. It is located on the southwestern coast of San Cristóbal, the easternmost island in the Archipelago de Colón. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is also the capital of the San Cristóbal Canton. It is worth mentioning that there is an airport on the island of San Cristóbal. About the … Read more
Esmeraldas is a coastal city, capital of the Esmeraldas province, located on the Pacific coast of Ecuador. Esmeraldas has an international seaport and a small airport. Las Palmas is the closest beach to Esmeraldas, but Atacames and Sua beaches receive most tourists. It is also home to the majority of Afro-Ecuadorians, the base of their … Read more
