Surf and Relax at the Beaches of Ecuador

Although many people first think of Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela as the South American countries with the top beaches, Ecuador should not be overlooked. With almost 1000 miles of coastline connecting Colombia to the north and Peru to the south, this equator country has its own fine beaches to boast. No Ecuador vacations are complete without take at least a short trip down the coast of the Ecuadorian Pacific Rim to see some of the finest beach life that the continent has to offer.

Starting up north after you’ve gotten your fill of Quito, head to the immensely popular Atacames Beach. Because it is just 4.5 hours by car from the busy capital city, this beach is the go-to spot for locals and travelers alike. And yet, it is still rather undeveloped. The nightlife pulses until the sun rises again, but during the day, most of the people in town take time to lounge lazily along the beach. To get away from Atacames’ energy for a bit, visit Playa Escondida about 8.5 miles south where you can relax at the safe, private, and sparkling beach good for families and the tired.

After Atacames has filled your partying needs, drive down to Muisne 30 minutes south with some of the softest sand in the country. The beaches themselves are on an island just barely off the coast and is accessible by a short canoe ride. Laid-back and calm, the mainland population is only 7,000 so this beach is perfect for those who want to find their own secluded little corner in Ecuador. A number of protected mangroves can be seen which house precious marine life from the fury of the occasionally angry ocean.

Making your way down, Montanita should be your next stop. It is a beach growing in popularity especially among the young, adventurous, backpacking crowd. The waves are great for surfing and a number of accommodations and restaurants that offer both local and international flavors round out the allure of Montanita. Indeed, surfing is the thing to do here, and many shops and courses can help you find what you need. This is the place to get socializing at night again because the excitement never sleeps.

Before reaching Guayaquil, in fact larger in population and area than Quito, get your last breath of fresh sea air 90 miles away at Salinas Beach. Salinas is a place of luxury; the boardwalk offers many developed tourism amenities and all the comforts of a resort town. The best time to come is December to May even though the temperature sits at a steady 80 degrees Fahrenheit most of the year.

Start planning your trip to Ecuador today, also easily done by arranging any number of South America vacation packages available.

This article about Ecuador’s beaches was written by a travel expert at Peru For Less who specializes in helping you plan fully customized Ecuador vacations and South America vacation packages.

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