The 9 best beaches in Ecuador: surf, party, and chill
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Loading... - Amelia McPherson
- 02 Dec 2021
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Vying for attention alongside its volcanic peaks, cloud forest national parks and Amazonian rainforest, Ecuador’s 1390 mile (2237km) Pacific coastline doesn’t always get the time and attention it deserves. But however busy your itinerary, the oft rugged coastal shores here are worth seeking out, offering everything from mangrove forests, rocky outcrops and whale watching to watersports, soft sand vistas, and yoga retreats.
You’ll get a real taste of Ecuadorian life at the water’s edge too, with hospitality and great seafood at a host of low-key villages and towns that swell on weekends and national holidays when local families flock to la costa.
Of course, when it comes to la playa, the Galápagos Islands are Ecuador’s most glittering attraction, with white sands and sparklingly turquoise waters to rival any of the world’s most pristine beaches. But there are a great many, albeit less striking, coastal resorts near the mainland’s towns and cities like Quito or Cuenca, where you can take your pick between party towns, amenity-filled resorts or secluded spots backed by lush rainforest and abundant wildlife.
Hit reset with a few days at sea level and allow for some well-deserved hammock time or explore the coastline’s biodiverse hinterland. From Esmeraldas to Huaquillas on the border of Peru, the Ruta Spondylus drive is one way to travel the whole Ecuadorian Pacific, taking in the history of the reddish- and purple-hued sea shell, sacred to the continent’s pre-Columbian peoples.
Start in Esmeraldas and follow it as far as possible, perhaps to the very southern tip of Santa Elena peninsula, where a drier climate contrasts with the rest of the coastline’s generally humid one. Situated on the equator, Ecuador’s coastal temperatures don’t vary much, making it a viable year-round destination.
These are the best beaches in Ecuador.
Tonsupa is the best beach north of Quito
North of Quito sits the region of Esmeraldas, home to the coastal city of the same name, a busy air and sea hub for international travel. Wetter and wilder than the beach towns in the south, Esmeraldas is home to a thriving Afro-Ecuadorian culture and offers a different vibe to the country’s interior. What’s more, Esmeraldas has a string of beaches relatively near to each other that have everything an ocean-seeking beach-hopping traveler could want.
Tonsupa’s one of the region’s most popular coastal towns and a good option for trips out of the capital, Quito. Bigger than nearby Same beach, but less frenetic than its southerly neighbor at Atacames town, Tonsupa’s long, clean strand has hotels and apartments that overlook the ocean and a range of places to eat and drink. Relax and watch the sun dip into the ocean with a plate of shrimp ceviche and a Pilsener beer.
Súa beach is very family-friendly
Heading south from Atacames beach, the closest of all to Quito and a bit of a built-up party central resort, you’ll find the serene and family-friendly Súa beach and fishing village. With its calm waters and verdant backdrop, Súa’s a great place for swimming with little ones. It's even possible to go humpback whale watching in July and August.
Ecuador’s coastal lowlands rise from sea level to the western side of the Andes mountains, meaning there are numerous rock formations, islets that jut out from the sea and smaller mountain ranges along the Pacific. At Súa, green-topped cliffs create a scenic vista and a great place for taking dramatic photographs. But it’s not just a pretty backdrop – Súa’s home to seabirds and other wildlife, making this a natural haven for some quality downtime
Playa Escondida is the best beach for isolation and nature
If getting away from it all is high on your agenda, you couldn’t find a more secluded retreat than Playa Escondida. Hidden away as its name suggests, this ecological reserve is a place that’s harder to reach than most of Ecuador’s beaches but served by Ecuador’s reliable national bus system – even if you do have to time your arrival and departure carefully.
Home to myriad species and a haven of biodiversity, accommodations meld into the natural background leaving you feeling that you’re miles away from any urban conurbation – a great option if hammock time and a good book are needed after the late nights in Esmeraldas’ party resorts, or if high-rise ocean resorts just aren’t your thing.
Mompiche beach has a laid-back vibe
A hinterland of lush, tropical rainforest makes Mompiche the perfect antidote to any busy itinerary, but with enough local amenities for the traveler in need of creature comforts. Head to the south of the Esmeraldas region for some downtime in this small fishing village, where quiet beaches attract surfers and backpackers alike.
With smaller accommodations mostly and cabanas to rent, Mompiche’s thatched beach huts add to the uncrowded and laid-back vibe, where sometimes the only sounds are those of the surf coming in. Get out and about and take a dolphin tour or travel the short distance by taxi then by boat to Portete Island for even quieter beaches, palm trees, and homestay-style accommodations, dining on meals like camarones apanados (breaded shrimp) or biche de pescado (fish soup). Nearby, larger resorts mean the area has everything for all types of visitor.
Montañita is the best beach for parties and surfing
If it’s a party you’re after, you can’t go wrong with Montañita. A longtime favorite with surfers and backpackers, this southwest town in the Santa Elena province is about 110 miles (175km) from Guayaqui.
While the shoreline pulsates with tunes that overflow from the beach’s bars and restaurants, Montañita is also a great location for yoga and is renowned as one of Latin America’s top surfing spots. If you’re in search of serenity or a little calm after the night before, get to the sands early and do your salutations to the sun before the party atmosphere settles in again for another vibrant night. Read More…
