Coastal Ecuador

Guayaquil

Guayaquil, Ecuador’s economic capital, is the gateway to the country’s coast and the Galapagos Islands. Guayaquil has undergone a renaissance since the late 1990s, one that’s completely reshaped its riverfront promenade. The city’s revitalized Malecón 2000 waterfront blends gardens, museums, and open-air art with views of the Guayas River. Just uphill, Las Peñas is a colorful neighborhood of restored colonial houses, galleries, and cafes.

Recent years have brought luxury hotels, eclectic dining options, contemporary art museums, and a charming historical park. Guayaquil also offers access to nearby mangrove reserves and cacao plantations.

The Coast of Ecuador

Away from its bustling ports, the Ecuadorian Coast is threaded with laid-back fishing towns and golden beaches. Near the northern city of Esmeraldas, sit the beaches at Tonsupa and Atacames. Here, surfers and kite-surfers share their blue-green waters with fishermen in brightly painted boats.

On the central coast, some of the country’s best beaches are found north of Guayaquil, near Montañita and Machalilla National Park. The park’s most famous beach is Los Frailes, a postcard-perfect crescent, backed by pristine forest. Machalilla protects 136,000 acres of tropical dry forest and over 300,000 acres of vital marine habitat.

Isla de la Plata, located 14 miles west of Machalilla, shares several characteristics with the Galapagos. Isla de la Plata supports diverse wildlife with resident species including frigate birds, waved albatross, blue and red-footed boobies, sea lions, and sea turtles.

Our Favorite Hotels

What to do in Coastal Ecuador

Guayaquil is often visited as an overnight destination before or after a Galapagos vacation. City highlights include the Malecon 2000, Seminario Park, and signature Guayaquil buildings such as the Crystal Palace, the Moorish Tower, and the Governor’s Office. You can also explore Santa Ana Hill, the charming neighborhood where the city was founded. LANDED can also arrange private, customized experiences such as biking on Santay Island and cacao tours on nearby Haciendas.

Surrounding Haciendas offer activities such as hiking, biking, river tubing, milking, chocolate-making experiences, horseback riding, beekeeping, and cacao and cooking classes.

Ecuador’s coast offers visitors the chance to surf, kite-surf, and fish. Offshore, between June and October, migrating humpback whales mate and calve, allowing for whale-watching. Wildlife viewing cruises often include snorkeling as well.

Sea expeditions offer guests the opportunity to explore unique places, pristine beaches, ecological reserves, and natural treasures.

What is the Weather Like?

These locations can be visited year-round, although rooms should be booked well in advance during the December to April high season. Coastal Ecuador is sunny and warm, with highs in the low 90s and lows in the 70s. Rains and humidity levels though, vary throughout the year. The wet season lasts from November to April and is hot and rainy.

No matter when you visit, the weather in this area can surprise you. Mist and rain can be present at any time of the year. These averages are changing, please check extended weather forecasts using your favorite weather app prior to departure.

Getting There

Guayaquil is served by the modern José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport. Direct flights arrive daily from New York (6.5 hours) and Miami (4.5 hours). Regional connections from, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, or Colombia among others make Ecuador easily accessible from across Latin America.

Manta’s airport can also be reached from Quito and Panama City.

Planning to visit the Galapagos Islands? Flights from Guayaquil take approximately two hours, making it a convenient launch point for your next adventure.

Start your journey today