Ecuador is best known to host the Andes Mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and the Galapagos Islands. Its extensive Pacific coastline has some of the best beaches in South America that will leave you mesmerized. In other words, Ecuador is a small town with the most fantastic offerings for many people.
The country also has impressive beaches ranging from quiet beach towns like Muisine to the busy coastal resort regions of Salinas. This small yet vibrant country gives you unlimited options to suit your needs. Besides, you’ll enjoy its beautiful climate, sand dunes, surf, and remarkable ocean-side amenities. So, here are the 8 best beaches in Ecuador.
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Rabida Island Red Beach
Set on the uninhabited Island of Rabida, Red Beach is a gem among the beaches of the Galapagos. As the name suggests, it features sand red in color which is caused by the iron in the volcanic rocks that rust when exposed to air.
But it’s not just the striking color that makes this beach spectacular. Visitors will have a chance to spot sea lions basking in the sun, Darwin finches, pelicans, flamingos, and sometimes even Galapagos penguins.
East of the beach, there are also great snorkeling opportunities. The highlights include green sea turtles, eagle rays, reef sharks, and eels.
To get there, you have to board a Galapagos cruise. However, make sure to check the itinerary first because not all cruises stop there.
Playa de Olon
Undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Ecuador, huge, clean, quiet. You can watch a variety of birds or just relax and watch the horizon.
From Monday to Friday it is quiet, on weekends it gets crowded, but there is always a place to rest. The best comes at the end of the day, when the sun sets over the sea, it is beautiful and indescribable.
With a Pacific Ocean with warm waters and an attractive range of bars and restaurants on the beach offering cocktails and good music, this beach has it all to have a great time.
In addition, Playa de Olon is a very quiet place where you can stay and eat at affordable prices, and if you are lucky you can watch whales from the beach!… it’s A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
General Villamil Playas (beaches), in Guayas Province
Plan to spend time at General Villamil Beach so you can swim and play in its warm waters.
This beach is ideal for beginners and little ones because of its gentle waves. The ice cream parlors offer a nice way to cool off on a hot day, while the restaurants and snack bars along the beach offer a variety of culinary alternatives.
This formerly small fishing community is now rapidly becoming a popular seaside resort in Ecuador while still retaining some of its original beauty. It is located on the south coast of Ecuador, about 72 kilometers from the metropolis of Guayaquil.
“Playas” has the same top-notch beach facilities as Salinas but without the crowds. The beaches are pristine, the locals are friendly and the calm waves make it a fantastic place for families and inexperienced swimmers.
Don’t miss the Iglesia San Jacinto del Morro Church while you’re here. This lovely site is famous for being one of the oldest churches on Ecuador’s southern coast.
Salinas Beach
Salinas starts our list as one of Ecuador’s best and most extensive beaches. You’ll find this resort area with many beaches like Chipipe Beach, San Lorenzo Beach, General Villamil Beach, and more.
Being a host to the ISA World Junior Surfing competitions, Salinas beach stands as one of the most popular beaches in the country. In addition, it’s home to several upmarket yacht clubs and attracts many visitors worldwide.
The beach is in Santa Elena province, the westernmost part of the city, which boasts lots of hotels, shops, and well-equipped rentals, making it a suitable option for beachgoers. With a proximal location to the city of Guayaquil and the Jose Joaquin de Olmeda International Airport, getting to this fantastic beach is super easy.
Los Frailes Beach
The stunning Los Frailes Beach sits in Machalilla National Park and lies north of Puerto Lopez. This protected and perfect beach is certainly one of Ecuador’s best and most beautiful beaches. It features a curving bay, blue waters, yellow sand, and the lavish greenery of the forested park behind it.
You’ll find this secluded beach thrilling and very peaceful to stroll along its golden sands. Thanks to the rocky cliffs and hills covered with trees, the scenery is also incredible.
Although it is often deserted, Los Frailes Beach can sometimes get busy on weekends. That’s because most people love spending their free weekends there. Besides, the beach offers incredible roads allowing easy access by bus and even water taxi.
If you love watching wildlife, this beach can be a suitable choice. It neighbors the Machalilla National Park, which offers a home to lovely natural insights. You’ll enjoy walking on some excellent paths and trails that will lead you to more quiet beaches and incredible lookouts over the long Pacific Ocean.
The beach neighbors Isla de Plata boasts a colony of sea lions and frigate birds to enjoy watching. It’s a great beach to visit due to its accessibility and affordability.
Montanita Beach
Beach parties are always exciting and if you’re planning to have one, try Montanita beach for a memorable experience. It has been a favorite option for backpackers and surfers for a long time, and you can rest assured you’ll have the best moment of your life.
Moreover, the beach sits in the southwestern part of the Santa Elena province, and it’s only around 175km from Guayaquil. Interestingly, its shoreline pulses with the songs overflowing from the beach’s restaurants and bars.
The beach is also a wonderful place for yoga and is best known as an excellent surfing spot in Latin America. You’ll love swimming in the crystal clear blue waters and riding in the massive waves of this incredible beach. The beach also boasts a large number of hotels and restaurants, meaning you’ll have the choice to explore and dine delicious foods.
If you are looking for a quieter or less busy spot to enjoy watching the sun rising or setting down, Montanita Beach should be an ideal choice. You can also learn Spanish at the Montanita Spanish School and immerse yourself in the local culture of the Ecuadorian people.
Canoa Beach
Canoa Beach is likely to be Ecuador’s prime spot to hang out, surf, and for yoga. It features a hippy set, and you’ll see dream catchers hanging on vans full of surfboards and wooden street stalls, ready to ride elsewhere if the waves aren’t good.
Situated in the Manabi area, southwest of the Pacific Coast, this beach extends to over 17km from San Vicente. That makes it the longest sandy beach in Ecuador, and you’ll find it very gentle-sloping and expansive sandy. As a result, it’s a perfect spot for relaxing or paragliding in its thermal winds.
The local hotels also provide professional gear for experienced fliers or tandem instructor flights. In addition, you’ll find small guesthouses lining the beach. If you’re planning to visit Canoa Beach during the holidays, make sure you book in advance as it often gets busy during such times.
With the beach’s blue waters and impressive cliffs that border the beach, you’ll enjoy some beautiful scenery as you relax. Besides, the massive waves that pound the coastline offer a brilliant spot for surfing.
Its surrounding area has a lot to offer than the beach. For instance, you can learn about sustainable agriculture at the Rio Muchacho sustainable farm or take a horse ride. If you are interested in surfing, head to the Canoa Surf Academy and take surfing lessons.
Ayangue
Featuring a picturesque bay that encloses it, Ayangue Beach is one of the most attractive places to visit. You’ll often find dozens of colorful small fishing boats moving up and down in the bay, adding to its lovely appearance.
The beach is in Ayangue, in Santa Elena province, next to Salinas for about an hour if you use the famous La Ruta del Sol tourist route. Yet it may feel like a world far from the busy resort town. The Ayangue beaches are ideal for sunbathers looking to relax and enjoy spectacular views from the cliff.
Because of its protected nature, Ayangue’s appealing waters are great for swimming in. If you’re looking to have a great time in the waters with your kids, this beach is suitable for you. The surrounding village is quiet, making it an excellent place to spend your holiday and enjoy sun basking and watching the spectacular sunset views.
With its strategic location, this beach is a key destination for seafood. So, be ready to satisfy your cravings for some delicious dishes.
Although Ayangue has somewhat beaten paths, its isolated position makes it easy to avoid bumping into the crowd.
Muisne
Muisne Beach is a famous tourist destination in Ecuador. It’s in Muisne Province and is best known for its beautiful soft-sand beaches. The beach sits in Mompiche Bay and is on the northern end of the Isla de Muisne. It’s one of the regions greatly affected by the 2016 earthquake.
This is a quiet and unspoiled beach ideal for sunbathing, fishing, and enjoying the almighty sunsets. Despite being an island, the remote sensing results show that this beach receives lesser tourists than the mainland. That makes it suitable for individuals who wish to take a break from busier beaches in the country.
The area has incredible restaurants and hotels where you can dine and enjoy a restful vacation. You can also visit the surrounding environment of the palm-lined beach at the island’s backside and enjoy watching the protected mangroves.
This lovely beach is just 193km from Quito and about 136km to Santa Domingo. So you can plan for a day trip to any of these amazing neighborhoods.
Mompiche
Featuring a tropical rainforest and a vicinity of plush, Mompiche is an ideal antidote to any busy route but with good local amenities for the tourist looking for nature comforts. Although it is in a small town, there are plenty of services to enjoy.
Head out of town for jungle treks, bird watching, nature reserves, and windsurfing on the beach. You can also go south of the Esmeralda area to enjoy idle time in this small fishing region where this beach attracts backpackers and surfers.
You can take a dolphin tour or travel to Portete Island on a boat to discover quieter beaches, homestay-like accommodations, and palm trees. Dine on meals like breaded shrimp (Camarones empanadas) or fish soup (biche de pescado).
The Mompiche village boasts mainly smaller accommodations and rental cabanas. In addition, the thatched beach huts add to the laid-back and calm vibe where the only hums you may hear are of the surf getting in. But you can find larger resorts in the neighborhood to enjoy your vacation. In short, the area around Mompiche Beach has everything for many tourists.
Puerto Lopez
Puerto Lopez completes our list of the best beaches in Ecuador. An outstanding and wild Machalilla National Park surrounds the beach, giving it impressive natural sights. As a result, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
A quiet fishing spot lives next to a lovely beach. Besides, the scenic backdrop adds to the beach’s beauty along with rugged hills rolling away. The small fishing boats move along the shore, and you can book a trip to the neighboring Isla La Plata.
Alternatively, you can opt for snorkeling, scuba diving, or watching whales along the coastline. This beach offers you plenty of options to enjoy your vacation.
This fantastic beach boasts many bars, restaurants, and hotels to dine delicious local foods. More importantly, the region has a relaxed pace of life, making it an ideal spot to visit before exploring the national park’s wonders.
Conclusion
Ecuador is a small country with an amazing Pacific coastline that hosts many beautiful beaches. This article has revealed our top picks of the 11 best beaches in Ecuador. Be sure to learn more about each beach and book your spot in advance so you can enjoy the limitless options each beach offers.