South America > Ecuador > Coastal Lowlands (Ecuador)

Treefrog in coastal Ecuador

Coastal Lowlands is a region in Ecuador. Here you can find nice beaches, tropical climate and a laid back atmosphere.

The beaches in Salinas are very popular for Ecuadorians on holiday. Another destination is Montañita, popular with Ecuadorians and gringos alike, and famous for its surfing. Nice beaches can however be found along most of the coast, although you won't find any south of Guayaquil until you reach Peru.

Cities

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Map
Map of Coastal Lowlands (Ecuador)

Arranged by province.

El Oro

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Esmeraldas

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  • 4 Atacames
  • 5 Esmeraldas - Nice beaches and Afro-Ecuadorian culture
  • 6 Mompiche – A sleepy beach town growing increasingly popular with tourists
  • 7 Muisne
  • 8 San Miguel

Guayas

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Los Rios

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Manabí

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Other destinations

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  • 1 Montañita – famous for good surfing, where gringos hang out
  • 2 Playas Playas, Ecuador on Wikipedia – great climate, amazing long beaches and great places to surf.
  • 3 Salinas – popular beach destination.

Understand

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The coastal lowlands were once covered with rainforest, of which not much remains. Instead big farms and plantations now cover a majority of coast. Big sugar cane and banana farms are common sights.

Most cities can't be described as particularly beautiful, and you won't see too much beautiful colonial architecture. However, the coastal atmosphere can be very nice, the food is good, and beaches are world class. The coast is a very good place to have a good time and learn more about Ecuador.

Talk

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Spanish. The coastal dialect is quite distinct from the dialect of the Andes, and shares many common features with Caribbean Spanish. English is not widely spoken, with the exception of more high-end places catering to tourists.

Get in

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Buses run from Quito, Cuenca, and all other major cities in the mountains to a lot of places along the coast. You can also take an international bus from Peru or Colombia

Guayaquil (GYE IATA) is the major airport hub for international flights.

Get around

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Buses run wherever you want to go. Guayaquil and Santo Domingo are major hubs.

Swim at the beaches, explore the cities.

Try the seafood! Ceviche and encebollado are the two specialties, which you can find at many places.

Drink

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Stay safe

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Look at individual city guides for more information. The coast and Ecuador in general are quite safe, but take normal precautions and use common sense. Don't wander around at dark in places you don't know are safe. In 2023 there have been increased incidents of crime aimed at the growing number of tourists here, often involving two people using a motorcycle as their get away vehicle. Be aware of your surroundings.

Go next

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This region travel guide to Coastal Lowlands is an outline and may need more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow!