Ecuador Let's Go To The Beach

Fly into Quito, but then head straight to Atacames (7 days) for the absolute best party spot in Ecuador. Hit the beach not for the sand or the water (though both are spectacular) but for the dusk-till-dawn and all-day-long craziness. But good beaches in Ecuador don’t necessarily have to come with the same booze-fest hysteria found in Atacames. Four other spots just to the south—the northernmost one within walking distance—offer escapes (almost) as tranquil as Highlands towns. Súa (2 days) offers a nice beach, better budget accommodations, and short hikes to coves with good views of Atacames. Same (2 days) is the next beach down, and more upscale. Its well-groomed beaches, however, more than compensate. A short drive south will encounter Playa Escondida (2 days), a beautiful spot to swim in the ocean or take long walks on the beach. In fact, a nice hike from Playa Escondida leads all the way to Tonchigüe (2 days), the last of Atacames’s neighboring beaches. Save lying out on the sand for later in the trip—fishing town Tonchigüe’s perk is very cheap, but very fresh, seafood. A little farther down, ferry over to the car-free island of Muisne (4 days), where dreams are realized with horse rides at dusk along virgin beach. But then again, the true virgin beach is back on the mainland, about an hour south at Mompiche (3 days). Black sand, big waves, a few surfers, and inexpensive lodging call this place “home”—and “the next Montañita.” Though the last epithet remains to be seen, nothing stands to stop it. Once satisfied, continue on down the coast to Pedernales (1 day). Sort of like Tonchigüe, this town has little to offer in the way of beaches, but it does host the largest market on the west coast. Pick up some goods on the way to Canoa (5 days), one of the most relaxing getaways Ecuador has to offer. Sip daiquiris, lie back in a hammock, then roll on down to Bahía de Caráquez (7 days). This upscale town still offers a lot for the budget traveler. Don’t lounge away each day here; the town’s got a lot to see—the last remaining dry tropical forest in Ecuador, for example. South from here, go hang-gliding and paragliding at Crucita (3 days). For good beaches and better nightlife, progress to Manta (4 days), where sailors complement the normal mix of locals and tourists. Take a breather a little ways inland at Montecristi (1 day) and don a locally woven Panama hat before leaving for Puerto Cayo (2 days) to spend a couple of days more on a small-town beach. Then scoot on down to Puerto López (4 days) for some salsa-filled nights (mainly during high season) and sun-soaked days. Use it as a base to venture into Parque Nacional Machalilla (3 days) for tropical dry forest excursions, boating trips to Isla de la Plata, and pristine beach. The next link in the chain of beaches is Salango (3 days), a great place for snorkeling and scuba diving as well as learning about the many ancient cultures that used to inhabit its shores. Next head to the not-so-budget but certainly eco-friendly beachfront resort of Hostería and Pueblo Ecológico Alandaluz (4 days). Make sure to go on its interesting ecotours. For a time almost as crazy as the one at Atacames but with better beach, keep moving on to Montañita (7 days). Lounge, surf, wall-climb, paraglide: this town’s got it all. Then, after a week of utter debauchery, head to the quiet beach at Valdivia (1 day) before heading to Ayangue (1 day) for a second day of tourist-free tranquillity. Pace a little too slow? It’s time to get a place at Salinas (4 days), one of the nicest—and most expensive—beaches in Ecuador. Now that you’ve blown your budget, it’s time to head home.