Most tourists that opt to visit Ecuador usually decide to skip the Pacific Coast in favor of the Andes and the Galapagos Islands. However, as expected, I seriously advise against this: mainly because doing so implies that you’ll be missing out on the striking coastline stretches with eccentric seafood, surfing, the sun, and some of the most relaxing beach towns.
With that in mind, here is an enumeration of things you should know as you plan your next excursion to the coast of Ecuador
Do not forget the sunscreen
Ecuador is situated at the Equator, which implies that the sun exposure is quite strong throughout the year. The coastal lowlands of the nation usually boast warm weather with average temperatures of 25°C.
The coastal regions are usually rainy and hot from January to April. Unless you plan on spending your entire vacation looking like a cooked lobster, I urge you to pack lots of sunscreens. To maintain your sparkling beauty, apply at least SPF 50 every hour and a half.
The seafood on the coast is a must try
Fish Encocado or Prawn – seafood dipped in coconut sauce – are the specialties in Esmeralda. Ceviche is another fresh seafood that you must try out. Ask for an almuerzo, then sit back and enjoy the vast array of mouthwatering fish soups or shrimp and fish dishes. Feel free to sample the astoundingly fresh seafood dishes listed on the la carte menu.
You can spot the whales along the coast
Each year, as from June through to October, more than 3,000 humpback whales move in from Antarctica and you can see them playing and breaching along the Pacific Coast of Ecuador. The coast for watching this memorable phenomenon ranges from 20 to 30 dollars.
There are 4 hard to beat surf spots
If you’re a surfing aficionado, then I guess you’ll have trouble leaving the coast of Ecuador. From December to April, the best waves for surfing hit the coast, and even if you visit out of this season, you will still enjoy the best waves on quieter beaches.
The best surfing locations include Manta, Salinas, Playas, Montanita, and Mompiche.
It will be cheaper if you visit the coast of Ecuador during a low season
If you visit the coast during the low season, which ranges from May to July, there is a good chance you’ll get the best discounts from hotels. If you hate crowds, you might even be lucky enough to find the beaches empty during the low season. During the high seasons, the beaches are usually crowded.
It’s not always hot on the coast of Ecuador
I do not know who came up with this misconception that the coast of Ecuador is hot throughout the year. This is so not true. The weather in the nation varies depending on the region. The summer months (June to August), for instance, are usually warmer in Sierra, when the coast is a bit cooler.
There are mosquitoes
You’ll realize that just about each hotel room in the nation is fit with a mosquito net. To protect yourself further from mosquito bites, ensure you use sufficient repellent on your body and cover up your body in the evenings.
The Galapagos Islands are not the same as the Pacific Coast
Regardless of its long stretch of inviting, white beaches, the coastal region does not receive as many visitors as the Galapagos Islands. Also, note that most people do not speak English on the Pacific coast of Ecuador: but that has been changing lately.
You can access the beaches easier using public transport
While the distance between the Pacific coast and the towns is short, you may have to change the buses a couple of times before reaching your destination. However, the good news is, there are a lot of buses and they’re all cheap.