In a nutshell
- In this article, we share our personal favorites among the 10 best beaches in Ecuador — both on the mainland and in the Galápagos Islands.
- Since Ecuador sits on the Pacific coast, most beaches have waves — great for surfing, and still perfectly fine for swimming at the right spots.
- For each beach, we tell you how to get there and give you our personal hotel recommendation so you can plan your stay with confidence.
- Ready? Let’s dive into our top Ecuador beach picks.
Our map of the most beautiful beaches in Ecuador
On this map we’ve marked our 10 most beautiful beaches in Ecuador, so you can get a better sense of where they are in the country.
The most beautiful beaches in the Galápagos Islands
The truly picture-perfect beaches in Ecuador are found mainly in the Galápagos Islands. Here are our two favorite spots in this extraordinary archipelago.
Tortuga Bay
Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz, the main island of the Galápagos, is an absolute dream: white sand, turquoise-blue water and the occasional marine iguana. It’s also a nesting site for sea turtles — hence the name.
Fair warning though: the beach isn’t great for swimming since the currents are strong. There’s also zero shade at Tortuga Bay, so you’ll get well and truly baked. On the plus side, it’s a fantastic surf spot.
For swimming and snorkeling, walk over to the next cove, Playa Mansa. The water there is calm and conditions are much better than at Tortuga Bay itself.
Getting to Tortuga Bay
From the main town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, you can walk to Tortuga Bay. The path winds through scrubland and is fully exposed to the sun, so bring sunscreen and plenty of water. On the way back, you can grab a water taxi for $10.
Where to stay near Tortuga Bay
Your best bet is Puerto Ayora — there are plenty of accommodation options and you can reach the beach quickly. Our top pick is the Hotel Galapagos Suites B&B.
Red Beach
Red Beach on Rábida Island is something truly special. The sand glows in an incredible shade of red — we’ve honestly never seen anything like it anywhere else. You can take some seriously stunning photos here.
At Red Beach you can go snorkeling, watch pelicans, or just stretch out on the red sand next to a sea lion.
The sand gets its color, by the way, from the high iron oxide content found on Rábida Island.
Getting to Red Beach
The only way to reach Rábida Island is by cruise ship — it’s uninhabited and no boats run there from the other islands. You can book cruises at galapagoscruceros.
The most beautiful beaches on the Ecuadorian mainland
Ecuador isn’t a classic beach vacation destination. But if you want to go surfing or simply spend a few days at the beach during your Ecuador trip, the country has some genuinely great stretches of coastline to offer.
Los Frailes
Los Frailes is, for us, the best beach in Ecuador and one of our top picks in Ecuador full stop. It sits right in the middle of nature, with no hotel towers or other structures around it — perfect for photos that actually look wild and untouched.
The sand is soft, though the currents and waves are usually strong, so the water is better for a quick dip than a long swim.
The beach takes cleanliness very seriously. You’re not allowed to bring food or drinks (except water), and your bag will be checked at the national park entrance.
Getting to Los Frailes Beach
The nearest larger town is Puerto Lopez. You can get there by bus from Quito (Terminal Quitumbe) or Guayaquil — about eight hours from Quito, four from Guayaquil.
From Puerto Lopez, take a taxi or a public bus to the entrance of Machalilla National Park. For the bus, it’s best to ask at your accommodation, as schedules change frequently.
Where to stay near Los Frailes
There’s no accommodation directly at the beach, so your best move is to base yourself in Puerto Lopez and do a day trip. We recommend the New Nautilos Lodge.
If you want to be as close as possible to Los Frailes, check out the Hostería del Parque in Machalilla — the nearest village to the beach. From there it’s only about a 30-minute walk to Los Frailes.
Mompiche
Mompiche is tucked away in wild nature, with a small fishing village right on the beach that consists mostly of places to stay.
Otherwise, there isn’t much going on: a few small supermarkets and bars. Life here revolves around the beach, and honestly, that’s the whole point.
From December to May, Mompiche is especially popular with surfers, as the waves are excellent during that period. If you just want to relax, it’s a great destination year-round. The beach is simply wonderfully laid-back.
Getting to Mompiche
The best route is from Quito. Take a bus from Terminal Carcelén or Quitumbe to Esmeraldas (about six hours), then hop on a bus to Mompiche (about two and a half hours).
Where to stay in Mompiche
We love The Mudhouse Hostel Mompiche. It’s a wonderfully charming, owner-run hostel that looks totally cool both inside and out.
Montañita
Montañita is a completely different vibe from Mompiche or Los Frailes. Don’t expect peace and quiet here — Montañita is a hip beach town full of parties and surfer energy.
It’s the go-to hotspot for surfers and night owls in Ecuador. Drinks are available everywhere and at any hour. So if you’re after beach life and going out, this is exactly where you want to be.
There are loads of surf schools here too, making it a great and affordable place to learn.
Getting to Montañita
Montañita is just under 50 kilometers south of Puerto Lopez. Your best bet is to travel from Quito to Puerto Lopez first (about eight hours), then catch one of the regular buses to Montañita (about one and a half hours).
It’s faster from Guayaquil. Several buses run directly from there each day, or take a bus to Santa Elena-Libertad and transfer to Montañita. Total journey time is about three hours.
Where to stay in Montañita
We recommend the Hotel Kundalini. The grounds are beautiful and the location sits between the center and the beach. Breakfast is great, and the rooms are surprisingly quiet despite being so central.
Salinas
Salinas sits on a sort of peninsula and is a fantastic vacation spot, especially for families. The water at many of the beaches is calm and totally safe for kids.
It’s quite built-up, so the town has more of an urban feel than a natural one. The upside is that there are plenty of activities and great restaurants to keep everyone happy.
Our favorite beaches here are Playa de Salinas and Playa de Santa Elena.
Getting to Salinas
From Guayaquil, you can reach Salinas by bus in about two and a half hours.
From Quito (Terminal Quitumbe), buses run to Libertad in about ten hours. From there, you can get to Salinas by bus or taxi — the two towns are only about ten kilometers apart.
Where to stay in Salinas
We’re big fans of the Hostería Ecológica El Faro. It’s not in the center, but it’s set in beautiful nature — there are even monkeys living on the grounds. The rooms are really stylish and you get a gorgeous view of the ocean.
Atacames
Atacames is one of the beach towns closest to Quito, making it a smart choice if you only have a short window to experience Ecuador’s coast.
So if during your Ecuador trip you just want to cool off in the ocean, sip a cocktail on the beach, or catch some waves surfing, Atacames delivers. There are several beaches in town, plus fun activities like banana boat rides.
Getting to Atacames
From Quito, buses run directly from Terminal Quitumbe to Atacames. The journey takes about six hours.
Where to stay in Atacames
The Hotel El Marqués is well-equipped with an outdoor pool, fitness area, and spa — and the breakfast is delicious.
Cojimíes
Playa de Cojimíes sits on a peninsula, with the small town of Cojimíes at its tip. The beach is long and wide — plenty of room to sunbathe or take a long stroll.
Walk a little further along the sand and you’ll quickly find yourself in pure nature, with the beach lined by palm trees that give it a real paradise feel.
From Cojimíes, numerous boat tours run to the neighboring Isla Júpiter — a standout with its crystal-clear water and mangrove forests.
Getting to Cojimíes
From Terminal Quitumbe in Quito, take a bus to Pedernales (six to seven hours), then transfer to a bus to Cojimíes. There are also a few direct buses from Quito.
Where to stay in Cojimíes
The Hotel Santorini is centrally located and has a simple but cozy feel. The owners are happy to help with any questions, and some rooms have a great view of the ocean.
Canoa
The beach at Canoa is pure tranquility. Stretching 17 kilometers, there are plenty of quiet spots where you can enjoy the sound of the ocean all to yourself.
Along the beach you’ll find a wide selection of restaurants serving typical food from Ecuador’s coastal region — well worth trying.
The waves here also offer perfect conditions for surfing, which is why Canoa draws both beginners and experienced surfers alike.
Getting to Canoa
From Terminal Quitumbe in Quito, buses run directly to Canoa in about eight hours.
From Guayaquil, take a bus to Bahía de Caráquez and transfer to Canoa. Plan for a total of six to seven hours.
Where to stay in Canoa
We recommend the Canoa Suites. The rooms are spacious and really well-appointed, the beachfront location is hard to beat, and the garden and terrace are beautiful.
Ayampe
Ayampe is a rugged, natural beach with plenty of rocks and stones. It looks dramatic and wild, though the rocks can make swimming a bit awkward. On the flip side, it’s a popular surf spot with several surf schools to choose from.
The town itself is small, laid-back, and hip. There are some beautiful lodges and several tasty restaurants serving traditional coastal cuisine.
Getting to Ayampe
From Quito, travel about eight hours to Puerto Lopez, then take a bus from Puerto Lopez to Ayampe (about 30 minutes).
It’s faster from Guayaquil. Head to Olon (about three hours) and transfer to a bus to Ayampe (about 30 minutes).
Where to stay in Ayampe
The Spondylos Lodge is really stylish, with spacious rooms featuring a balcony or veranda. The jacuzzi and complimentary coffee are a nice bonus.
Practical tips for Ecuador’s beaches
To wrap things up, here are a few pointers to make sure you’re perfectly prepared for your beach vacation in Ecuador.
Also check out our travel tips for Ecuador
The best time to visit Ecuador’s beaches
It might sound counterintuitive, but the rainy season from December to May is actually the best time for a beach vacation on Ecuador’s coast.
The rain showers are often brief, and for the rest of the day you’ll frequently have clear skies and sunshine. During the dry season, on the other hand, it’s usually overcast. Surf conditions are also better from December to May.
Thanks to Ecuador’s proximity to the equator, water and air temperatures stay similar year-round. The water averages around 26°C (79°F) and the air temperature hovers around 28°C (82°F).
One thing to know: the sun is seriously intense year-round on Ecuador’s beaches. Pack good sunscreen and don’t underestimate it!
Getting around by bus
In Ecuador, you typically buy bus tickets at the terminal rather than online in advance — in most cases, online booking isn’t even an option. You’ll also find very little schedule information online.
That said, the staff at your accommodation usually knows the popular routes well, so just ask them.
Otherwise, head to the bus terminal and check which companies go to which destinations. Destinations are usually displayed on a sign above each company’s ticket counter.
You buy your ticket at the counter — cash only.
