9 Best Beaches in Ecuador

Ecuador is one of the most diverse countries in terms of its natural landscapes with Amazon jungle, Andean highlands and wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands. It’s no wonder Ecuador has won several awards in the tourism industry, thanks to its beautiful surroundings. Also, have a quick look at the best beaches in Venezuela.

To say that the beaches in Ecuador beautiful are an understatement, as Ecuador is lined with beautiful beaches from end to end. You can enjoy a short getaway near the city, or a full week in some of the most secluded places here. To help you, we’ve prepared a list that you can choose from!

Best Beaches in Ecuador

Though people don’t often think of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands together, Ecuador is a popular tourist destination. Ecuador has many beautiful natural wonders contained within its borders. Ecuador’s capital city Quito (situated in the Andes), is known for its UNESCO-maintained historic center and nearby volcanoes such as Tungurahua, Sangay, Antisana, Pichincha, Cayambe and Cotopaxi.

There are also several lakes to enjoy like Laguna Cuicocha which offers a beautiful landscape to visit beside being home to different wildlife animals or Laguna de San Pablo with excellent rock climbing opportunities close by. And, of course, some amazing beaches too.

Ayangue Beach

Tranquil and quiet, this beach is located in the beautiful town of Ayangue away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan cities. Getting here is a bit challenging because it’s a long way from the nearest city.

But it’s ideal for those looking to get away from the crowd and enjoy the calm sleepy village. They’re also famous for their seafood, so remember to bring your appetite here! With a good range of hotels offered, it’s a great place to bring your kids and family for the holidays for some quality time.

Tonsupa

Located in the resort town called Atacames, this beach is the go-to place for a high-end stay. You can have your choice of high-rises, hotels, restaurants, and other facilities. It’s mainly geared towards the local and domestic tourists, so the prices make a lot more sense than those catering to foreign tourists.

If you’re tired of lounging by the waters, you can visit the cool bars and restaurants. There are also whale-watching spots if you’re into marine life.

Canoa Beach

Canoa beach boasts the longest stretch of beach in Ecuador – about 17 km to be precise. Although it’s a little far off the beaten tracks, you won’t regret visiting this beach. It’s secluded and less developed than others, so you can almost always have the beach all to yourself.

It also has impressive cliffs bordering the beach that’s pounded by the giant waves. If you want more activities, this place also offers yoga and surf lessons to keep you occupied.

Montanita

If you love the beach and the nightlife equally, Montanita is the one for you. It’s one of the most famous spots for backpackers and travellers who enjoy socializing after hours of lounging and surfing at the beach.

You can find lots of eco-friendly hotels, health food restaurants, and beachside cafes. There’s also paragliding and scuba diving spots that you can enjoy. With bustling attractions night and day, It’s quite literally the beachside city that never sleeps.

Olon Beach

Olon beach is a popular site for both tourists and locals. With golden beaches and a vast coastline, you can always get a spot on this welcoming beach. It’s also a popular beach for surfers, with decent sized waves. It’s located north of Montanita and offers a lot more relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.

The area is developed just enough, and you can find many budget-friendly accommodations and restaurants to enjoy. More attractions you can enjoy include whale watching and also hiking to waterfalls nearby.

Playa Puerto Lopez

Playa Puerto Lopez is located within the Machalilla National Park. It’s packed full of beautiful sights and natural wonders, so it’s one of the most popular destinations for tourists. This place is located in a fishing village, with a scenic backdrop of rugged hills that stretch away into the distance.

The fishing boats lining the docks is also a colourful sight to see. You can bet they have some of the best seafood here, which you can enjoy in one of their restaurants, bars, and hotels. You can also take a trip to nearby Isla la Plata and go scuba diving, snorkelling or whale watching.

Tortuga Bay Beach

Located in the idyllic Galapagos Islands, this beach can be classified as one of the best beaches in Ecuador. It’s a short distance from the port of Puerto Ayora, and the beach stretches endlessly before your eyes.

The soft white sands and blue Pacific waters would definitely calm any anxiety you have. With its calm waves, this is the perfect spot to go for swimming and kayaking. Due to its remote location and rich natural resources, you can easily spot wildlife here, with iguanas, sea turtles and colourful fish hanging about. This is definitely one for the bucket list.

Los Frailes

This beach is located in the Machalilla National Park. Thanks to its status it’s perfectly protected and pristine. It’s considered the best in Ecuador thanks to how clean and natural the surroundings are. The golden sands are enclosed within rocky cliffs and tree-covered hills; making the beach secluded and private. It’s also easily reached, with services such as buses and water taxis available.

Be mindful of the crowd though, this beach can be pretty packed during the weekends; so we recommend you visit it during weekdays so you can be more relaxed. If you’re into hikes, you can also visit the national park and walk around to find more beaches and sights.

Salinas

One of the largest beach resort in the country, Salinas is located in Santa Elena Ecuador at the westernmost city on the mainland. You can bet that you’ll never run out of things to do here, with big waves, soft sands, shops and restaurants lining up the beach.

It’s also the host of ISA World Junior Surfing games and yacht clubs, so book your place quickly if you don’t want to run out of a spot here. This beach is 144 km from Jose Joaquin de Olmeda International airport, so access is no issue. Make sure you spare enough days here because one is definitely not enough!

Link To or Reference This Page

If you found this content useful in your research, please do us a great favor and use the tool below to make sure you properly reference us wherever you use it. We really appreciate your support!