Best Beaches in Ecuador — Where to Live, Retire, and Escape the Highlands

Ecuador's Pacific coastline is one of the most underrated beach destinations in the Americas. Over 2,200 kilometers of coast, stretching from the Colombian border to the Peruvian border, packed with surf breaks, fishing villages, resort towns, and empty stretches of sand where you can walk for an hour without seeing another person. The water is warm. The seafood is fresh. And the cost of living is a fraction of what you would pay for comparable coastline in Mexico, Costa Rica, or Panama.

Most expats who move to Ecuador settle in the highlands — Cuenca, Quito, the Andes. But a growing number are discovering that life on the coast offers something the mountains cannot: warm weather year-round, ocean breezes, and the kind of slow-paced coastal living that people fantasize about but rarely pull off. This guide covers the towns worth considering, the ones worth visiting, and the things nobody tells you about living on Ecuador's coast.

Beach Towns for Living and Retiring

These are places where expats have established communities, where you can find long-term rentals, where there is enough infrastructure to actually live — not just vacation.

Salinas — The Expat Favorite

Province: Santa Elena Rent: $500–$900/month for a furnished 2-bedroom condo Vibe: Miami Beach meets retirement community

Salinas is the most established beach town for foreign retirees in Ecuador, and it is easy to see why. A long crescent of sandy beach, a malecón (boardwalk) lined with high-rise condos, restaurants, and shops. The town is compact, walkable, and feels safe. There is a yacht club, a naval base (which adds to the security presence), and a Supermaxi grocery store — the closest thing Ecuador has to a well-stocked American supermarket.

The expat community here is sizable and organized. You will find English-speaking retirees from the US and Canada, regular meetups, and people who have been here for a decade or more. The downside is that Salinas can feel like a bubble — it is possible to live here for years and barely interact with Ecuadorian culture. If that bothers you, keep reading.

Sunny season runs December through April. This is when Salinas comes alive. Ecuadorian families from Guayaquil flood the town on weekends and holidays, restaurants are packed, and the beach is full. The rest of the year (May through November), the garúa rolls in — more on that later — and the town quiets down dramatically.

Getting there: 2.5 hours from Guayaquil by car. Direct buses from Guayaquil's Terminal Terrestre run every 30 minutes ($5, 2.5 hours on CLP or Libertad Peninsular lines). From Cuenca, take a bus to Guayaquil first (3.5 hours, $8–12), then connect. Total trip is about 6–7 hours.

Real estate: Beachfront condos start around $60,000–$80,000 for a 2-bedroom. Ocean-view units in newer buildings run $90,000–$150,000. Compared to any US or Mexican beach town, this is absurdly cheap.

Manta — A Real City on the Coast

Province: Manabí Rent: $400–$800/month for a furnished apartment Vibe: Working port city with growing expat interest

Manta is not a resort town. It is a working city of about 250,000 people with a major tuna port, an international airport (MEC, with flights to Quito and Guayaquil on LATAM and Avianca), malls, hospitals, universities, and all the infrastructure you would want for full-time living. The beach at Murcielago is the main stretch — a wide urban beach with a malecón, restaurants, and a Tia department store nearby.

The expat community in Manta is smaller than Salinas but growing. What draws people here is the combination of coastal living with actual city amenities. You are not dependent on one grocery store and three restaurants. There are multiple hospitals, including the IESS hospital and the private Clínica Manta. You can get things done here without driving to Guayaquil.

The food is exceptional. Manabí province is considered the culinary heart of Ecuador's coast. The ceviche, corviche, viche (a thick green plantain and fish stew), and encebollado here are as good as it gets. The Mercado Municipal is worth visiting even if you don't need groceries.

Getting there: Flights from Quito or Guayaquil ($60–$100 round trip, about 45 minutes). By bus from Guayaquil, about 3.5 hours ($7). From Quito, about 8 hours by bus ($12).

Puerto López — The Bohemian Coast

Province: Manabí Rent: $350–$600/month Vibe: Small fishing village, eco-tourism hub, laid-back

Puerto López is the kind of place you visit for a weekend and start looking at rental listings by Monday. A small fishing village at the edge of Machalilla National Park, it has a crescent beach, colorful fishing boats, a main street with cafes and tour operators, and not much else — which is precisely the point.

The big draw is whale watching. From June through September, humpback whales migrate past Puerto López, and you can take boats out to see them for $20–$30 per person. Isla de la Plata (a day trip from here) offers blue-footed boobies, snorkeling, and whale encounters. Los Frailes, one of the most beautiful beaches in Ecuador, is a 15-minute drive north inside the national park.

The expat community is tiny but passionate — mostly artists, yoga practitioners, nature lovers, and people who want to be far from anything resembling a city. Infrastructure is basic. Internet is adequate but not fast. The nearest hospital of any size is in Manta (1.5 hours north) or Guayaquil (4 hours south). You need to be comfortable with simplicity.

Canoa — The Budget Surf Town

Province: Manabí Rent: $300–$500/month Vibe: Laid-back surf village, cheapest coast living

Canoa is a small beach town north of Manta, popular with surfers, backpackers, and a handful of expats who want the absolute cheapest beach living in Ecuador. The town was heavily damaged in the 2016 earthquake and has rebuilt, though some of the charm of the old Canoa was lost.

What you get here is a long, wide beach with decent surf, a handful of restaurants and hostels along the main road, and a cost of living so low it barely registers. A furnished room or small apartment goes for $300–$500. A meal at a local comedor is $2–$3. Beer at a beach bar is $1.50.

Who it's for: People on a shoestring budget, surfers, remote workers who need nothing but a laptop and a hammock. Not for families, retirees who need medical access, or anyone who needs reliable infrastructure. The nearest city is Pedernales (30 minutes north) or San Vicente/Bahía de Caráquez (40 minutes south).

Bahía de Caráquez — The Quiet Eco-City

Province: Manabí Rent: $350–$600/month Vibe: Clean, quiet, small-town coastal feel

Bahía sits on a peninsula at the mouth of the Chone River estuary, and it was declared an "eco-city" by its municipal government in 1999. Whether it fully lives up to that label is debatable, but the town is noticeably cleaner and quieter than most Ecuadorian coastal cities. The streets are wide, the waterfront malecón is pleasant, and there is a bridge connecting to San Vicente across the estuary.

The expat community is small — maybe a few dozen long-term foreign residents. Bahía appeals to people who want a quiet coastal town with basic services (a hospital, banks, small supermarkets) but without the resort-town feel of Salinas or the city-scale of Manta. It is also a good base for exploring the Manabí coastline — Canoa, San Vicente, and the Isla Corazón mangrove reserve are all close by.

Olón — The Rising Star

Province: Santa Elena Rent: $400–$700/month Vibe: Upscale quiet beach, growing expat interest

Olón is a few kilometers north of Montañita, but it feels like a different world. While Montañita pulses with party music, Olón is serene. A long sandy beach, a dramatic cliffside church (the Santuario de Olón, visible from the entire beach), and a small village that has just enough — a few restaurants, a pharmacy, a small tienda, and some vacation rental properties.

Olón has been attracting a steady trickle of expats — mostly people who looked at Montañita and said "too loud" and looked at Salinas and said "too developed." It is a Goldilocks option: beach town charm without the chaos or the condo towers. Real estate is still relatively affordable, with beachfront lots available for $40,000–$80,000 and houses from $100,000.

Getting there: Same route as Salinas/Montañita — bus from Guayaquil Terminal Terrestre to Olón takes about 3 hours ($5–6 on CLP bus line).

Beach Towns for Weekends and Vacations

These are not places most expats would want to live full-time, but they are absolutely worth visiting.

Montañita — The Party Capital

Province: Santa Elena

If you want nightlife, surfing, and backpacker energy, Montañita is it. The main street (Calle de los Cocteles) is lined with bars, tattoo shops, and street food vendors. On weekend nights, the party runs until 4 or 5 AM. The surf break is solid — a right-hand point break that works best at higher tides.

Who it's for: Younger travelers, surfers, anyone who wants to dance on the beach at 2 AM. Not for families, not for retirees, not for anyone who values sleep. The vibe is a mix of Ecuadorian, Colombian, and international backpackers.

Safety note: Montañita has had petty crime issues — phone snatching, theft from unlocked rooms. Don't bring valuables to the beach. That said, the town itself is not dangerous, just chaotic.

Ayangue — The Pool of the Pacific

Province: Santa Elena

A tiny fishing village tucked into a perfectly protected cove. The water here is absurdly calm — hence the nickname "la piscina del Pacífico." While the open Pacific coast has waves and currents, Ayangue is a sheltered bay where you can swim, snorkel, and float without worry. Excellent for families with small children.

Snorkeling here is surprisingly good. Take a boat to the Islote El Pelado marine reserve ($10–$15 per person) for sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish. The beach has a row of seafood restaurants — order the ceviche de concha (black clam ceviche) if you are feeling adventurous.

Getting there: About 30 minutes south of Montañita, or 2 hours from Guayaquil.

Los Frailes — The Pristine National Park Beach

Province: Manabí (inside Machalilla National Park)

This is the most beautiful beach in mainland Ecuador, and it is not close. A crescent of pale sand, turquoise water, and absolutely no development. Los Frailes sits inside Machalilla National Park, so there are no hotels, no restaurants, no vendors — just the beach, the forest, and whatever you brought with you.

Getting there: Drive or taxi from Puerto López (15 minutes). Register at the park entrance (free with cedula, $5 for tourists). There is a 45-minute trail from the entrance that passes two smaller, more secluded beaches (Playa la Tortuguita and Playa la Playita de los Frailes) before reaching the main beach. Or you can drive most of the way and walk the last 10 minutes.

Bring everything you need: Water, food, sunscreen, shade (there is limited natural shade). The park closes at 4 PM — you must exit by then.

Isla de la Plata — The Poor Man's Galapagos

A small island 40 km off the coast from Puerto López, accessible only by boat tour. It is called the "poor man's Galapagos" because you can see blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and (in season) humpback whales without paying Galapagos prices or making a Galapagos-sized trip.

Tour cost: $35–$50 per person from Puerto López, includes the boat ride (about 90 minutes each way), a guided hike on the island, snorkeling, and lunch. Tours depart around 9 AM and return by 4 PM.

Best time: June through September for whale watching. The boobies are on the island year-round.

Bring motion sickness pills. The boat ride crosses open ocean and can be rough. This is not optional advice — if you have any tendency toward seasickness, take Dramamine before you board.

The Coast Weather Reality

Here is what nobody in real estate tells you about Ecuador's coast: the weather is split into two distinct and equally imperfect seasons.

Sunny Season (December–April)

Hot, sunny, humid. Daytime temperatures of 85–95°F (29–35°C). This is when the coast looks like the photos — blue sky, sparkling ocean, golden light. It is also technically the "rainy season" in the rest of Ecuador, but the coast gets its rain in short, intense afternoon bursts that clear quickly. Mornings and evenings are gorgeous.

This is peak season. Hotels fill up, prices go up, and the beaches from Salinas to Montañita are packed with Ecuadorian vacationers, especially during Carnival (February/March) and Semana Santa (March/April).

The Garúa (June–November)

This is the one that surprises people. From roughly June through November, a thick marine fog called the garúa blankets the coast. The sky is gray. The air is cool and damp. The temperature drops to 70–80°F (21–27°C). The sun might not appear for days or even weeks at a stretch.

The garúa is not dangerous or unpleasant per se — the temperatures are actually more comfortable than the blazing sunny season. But if you moved to the coast expecting year-round tropical sunshine, the six months of gray overcast skies can be genuinely depressing. Many coastal expats either learn to embrace the garúa (it is good sleeping weather) or travel to the highlands or the northern coast (Esmeraldas province gets less garúa) during this period.

Bottom line: If you are considering living on the coast full-time, visit during the garúa before you sign a lease. Some people love it. Some people hate it. Better to find out before you commit.

Safety on the Coast

The safety situation varies dramatically by province.

Santa Elena Province (Salinas, Montañita, Ayangue, Olón): Generally safe for expats with normal urban precautions. Petty theft exists, especially in Montañita. Violent crime is rare in expat areas.

Manabí Province (Manta, Puerto López, Canoa, Bahía): Mostly safe, but Manta has had some security incidents. Use normal precautions — don't walk alone on empty beaches at night, don't flash expensive items. The smaller towns (Puerto López, Canoa) are generally very safe.

Esmeraldas Province (Esmeraldas city, Atacames, Same, Muisne): This is the exception. Esmeraldas province, particularly the northern part near the Colombian border, has serious security problems — drug trafficking, gang violence, and incidents targeting both Ecuadorians and foreigners. The US Embassy has issued specific travel advisories for parts of Esmeraldas province. The beaches here (Atacames, Same) can be beautiful and cheap, but the security situation makes them hard to recommend, especially for living. If you visit, do so during the day, stay in established tourist areas, and do not go to Esmeraldas city at night.

General coastal safety tips:

• Avoid deserted beaches after dark, everywhere
• Don't leave belongings unattended on the beach
• Use hotel safes for passports and cash
• Swim only where locals swim — rip currents are a real danger on the open Pacific coast
• Jellyfish are common December through April; ask locals about current conditions

Getting to the Coast from the Highlands

From	To	Time	Cost (bus)
Cuenca	Guayaquil (then connect)	3.5 hours	$8–12
Cuenca	Manta (via Guayaquil)	7–8 hours	$15–18
Cuenca	Salinas (via Guayaquil)	6–7 hours	$13–17
Quito	Manta	8 hours	$12
Quito	Puerto López	10 hours	$14
Quito	Same/Atacames	5–6 hours	$8
Quito	Canoa	6 hours	$10
Guayaquil	Salinas	2.5 hours	$5
Guayaquil	Montañita	3 hours	$5–6
Guayaquil	Manta	3.5 hours	$7

All highland-to-coast routes involve dramatic descents from 2,500+ meters to sea level. The roads are paved but winding. If you are prone to car sickness, sit in front and bring medication.

Coastal Real Estate at a Glance

Ecuador's coastline remains remarkably affordable compared to any other Pacific coast in the Americas.

• Beachfront condos (2-bedroom, furnished): $60,000–$150,000 depending on location and age
• Beach houses with land: $100,000–$250,000
• Beachfront lots: $30,000–$80,000 in less developed areas like Olón, Canoa, or south of Puerto López
• Pre-construction condos in Salinas or Manta: $70,000–$120,000

Foreign buyers can purchase property in Ecuador with few restrictions. The main exception: you cannot buy property within 50 km of the border (Colombian or Peruvian), which eliminates parts of northern Esmeraldas and southern El Oro provinces for foreign ownership.

A good starting point is to rent for at least three months — ideally spanning both sunny and garúa seasons — before buying anything. What looks like paradise in February may feel very different in August.

The Bottom Line

Ecuador's coast is not for everyone. It is hot, it is humid, infrastructure outside the main cities is basic, and the garúa season tests your commitment. But for the right person — someone who wants warm weather, cheap seafood, ocean views, and a pace of life that forces you to slow down — it is one of the best-value coastal destinations in the world.

Start with a visit. Rent for a month. Try both seasons. Then decide.