Coastal Lowlands

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

Arranged by province.

El Oro

• 1 Huaquillas
• 2 Machala - "Banana capital of the world"
• 3 Zaruma

Esmeraldas

• 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

• 9 Guayaquil (also includes Durán) – largest city in Ecuador, hub of the region.
• 10 Puerto El Morro

Los Rios

• 11 Babahoyo
• 12 Quevedo

Manabí

• 13 Agua Blanca
• 14 Bahia de Caraquez
• 15 Canoa - Small beach town
• 16 Manta - Large city by the Pacific Ocean.
• 17 Montecristi
• 18 Portoviejo
• 19 Puerto Cayo
• 20 Puerto Lopez - Beautiful small ocean side town, access point for Machalilla National Park, and Isla de la Plata "Poor Man's Galapagos".

Other destinations

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

Understand

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

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

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

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

Do

Swim at the beaches, explore the cities.

Eat

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

Stay safe

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

• Andean Highlands
• Peru
• Colombia