Coastal Ecuador

Coastal Ecuador is the expanse of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Cordillera Occidental (the western range of the Andes Mountains) encompassing the coastal lowlands and coastal mountains. The land of the coast is made up of beautiful unspoiled white sand beaches and fertile agricultural land. Approximately 49% of Ecuador's population resides in Coastal Ecuador. The climate is hot and humid with average temperatures between 76º and 90º Fahrenheit.

On the coast, the dry season runs from about June to December. Temperatures drop to about 16ºC and it is often overcast with a damp mist (garua) settling in and the sun can disappear for three months at a time. A little way inland the garua breaks up and you can have bright sunshine. The pattern is roughly the same as in the Galapagos except the garua starts earlier on the mainland and finishes later.

January to June the temperatures warms up, days are bright and sunny with an occasional heavy rain. This is the best time of year along the beach. The El Niño current can heavily modify the coastal area weather, a strong current flowing in January from the Gulf of Panama making the air and water temperatures soar. The wind comes around the north and it rains. The El Niño in 1998 caused major problems as roads and bridges being destroyed and whole towns cut off for months. The heavy rains washed the Canoa forest into the ocean.

Health Issues

It is particularly important to take care with drinking water along the coast, as cholera exists. Anti-malarial medicine is recommended particularly when visiting inland areas, where the temperatures are not modified by the cold Humboldt Current and so remain high throughout the year. Dengue fever and leshmiasis can also be problems making it essential to have good personal insect repellents and make sure to cover up with long clothes in the evenings and mosquito netting at night.

Personal Security

While most travelers to the coastal regions of Ecuador never have a problem it should be born in mind that the high levels of unemployment, particularly around San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas, Manta and Guayaquil have led to an increase in crime. Travelers would be well advised to take nothing with them that is of high cash or personal value. Things like airline tickets are really hard to replace and so are better left in Quito if you are to return there. Try not to travel to heavily weighed-down by backpacks and luggage, and make sure you insure those belongings you take.

There is nowhere in Ecuador where you can sunbathe topless or nude, as by law there is public access to the whole seashore.

Coastal Regions

Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city, principle port and the economic center of Ecuador. The city is3 located near the head of the Guayaquil Gulf on the Guayas River. Most of the nations import and export trade pass through the city's deepwater port. Major industries in Guayaquil include shrimp fishing, petroleum refining, food processing, machinery manufacturing, and the manufacturing of consumer goods.

Some of Ecuador's most beautiful beaches are just a short drive north of Guayaquil.

Salinas, Playas, Libertad, Punta Carnero, Ayangue, Valdivia are all within a two-hour drive of Guayaquil. There the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash along lengthy white sand beaches. These towns are a quick get-away and a perfect spot for sailing, sport fishing or relaxing in the sun.

South of Guayaquil

Machala is the banana growing region coast south of Guayaquil. Agricultural boomtown is a stop over on the way to Peru. Banana enthusiast should spend some time at the Banana festival held every September.

North of Guayaquil

North of Guayaquil are a number of Ecuadorian Beach Resort towns and fishing villages.

Santa Elena Peninsula

The Santa Elena peninsula near Salinas is known for its world-class yacht harbor and deep-sea fishing. In contrast the traditional fishermen can be seen sailing the same waters in balsa rafts, catching fish for the local population. There are several comfortable hotels to choose from and the long; twin crescent shaped beaches makes the area popular for national tourism.

Fisherman has set many world records from Salinas. Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Stripped Marlin, Sailfish, One-Eyed Tuna, Wahoo, and Dolphin fish are among the fish frequently caught. There are several yacht clubs in the area with world-class fishing boats ready to be chartered.

The coastal lowlands are much more than beach resorts and deep-sea fishing. If you do want to spend time kicking-back and hanging-out there’s Montañita, Ecuador’s premiere surfing spot, where you can really feel at home. Peak season is between December and April but hard-core surfers can be seen here year round. The town has a few hostels and a very laid back atmosphere. Restaurants serve seafood and vegetarian dishes prepared for the international surfers who seek out this remote surfing spot.

Historically the Santa Elena peninsula has been home to civilizations for thousands of years. The first known culture of Ecuador, the Las Vegas lived along the Peninsula between the Guayas Basin and Salinas. The museum "Museo de los Amantes de Sumpa" near Santa Elena houses displays of the Las Vegas and tells the story of their culture. Living in houses and making textiles they enjoyed a varied economy and they existed by farming crops including maize and squash, hunting, and exploiting the mangroves for wood, oysters and other seafood.

In 1971 scientists discovered the artifacts of the Valdivia culture. The excavations established a coastal village near Salango dating back some 5000 years dating to around 3500 BC. The Valdivias were the first Americans to use pottery. They created bowls, jars and female statues out of clay both for everyday life and for use in religious ceremonies. They navigated the seas on rafts with sails and established a trade network with tribes in the Andes and the Amazon. Artifacts from the Valdivia culture can be seen in many museums around the country as well as a small museum in the town Valdivia and neighboring Chanduy.