c. Is strongly recommended to get a cell phone. The cheapest are $30 or $40. Make sure you have enough minutes to make emergency calls. Carrying a cell phone could save your life. You can carry your own phone if it has roaming service but be sure to check your operator at home what the fees and charges will be for voice and data services in Ecuador.
d. Always take care with digital cameras, video cameras and other electronic devices. Do not leave such appliances on the beach because they are lovely things for robbers.

6. What is the electricity like?
a. Electricity along the southern coast, like all of Ecuador, is 127 volts at 60 cycles per second. If your device does not accept this level, you will need a converter. Most buildings along the southern coast are fully equipped with electricity, though some cabana style housing options might not have electricity, because they are more rustic.
b. For camera lovers always bring a 3 to 2 plug adapter to connect your battery chargers or laptop ac power cords. If you have a European connector, bring an adaptor to shift from 220 volts to 110 volts. This is cheaper and will allow you to travel without worries.

7. How can I reserve a hotel or tour?
Hotels fill quickly during peak season (June, July, August summer in the northern hemisphere). The southern hemisphere, including the Ecuadorian coast season, runs from January to March, In those seasons the hotels fill quickly at weekends but during the weekdays are quieter. It is possible to book trips online with many hotels and operators, but it is usually better to use Ecuadorian operators, both in terms of price and security. Be sure to reserve a room one week or more in advance during busy months. This can be done online or by telephone. Hotels often have their own tour operators or partnerships with operators to provide you with tours directly.

Back to "Southern Coast travel tips, weather & climate, part 1"

Salinas Beach & Malecon

Salinas Beach & Malecon

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1. What should I pack?
a. Pack t-shirts, shorts, swimsuits and sunscreen with high SPF (over 50 is recommended). The southern coast can feel like summer even during the rainy months from December to May. That being said, a rain jacket, windbreaker or light jacket is still recommended. Clothes made of quick-drying material are preferable.

2. How long should I plan to be there?
a. According to your taste and pace, a trip up the Ruta del Spondylus could last months, weeks, or days. Most travelers begin in Guayaquil, spend a day or two on the coast in Salinas, and then head north along the Pacific shoreline. Plan to spend a weekend enjoying the beaches and nightlife in Montanita or Canoa before spending a few nights in Puerto Lopez with its easy access to Isla de la Plata and the Machalilla National Park. The recommended stay is five days. The daily budget including hotel, food and transport is $50 per person, but this depends on personal levels of comfort.

3. Where can I fly into?
a. Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, is the logical choice for travelers arriving by air. The Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport (formerly the Simon Bolivar Airport) has flights to and from most major international cities and was recently voted the best South American airport. Guayaquil is a good starting point for travel along the southern coast of Ecuador, which is only three hours by bus to the coast.

4. When should I go?
a. With the rainy season lasting from October to May, and the influx of breeding humpback whales from June to September, the summer seems the obvious season to visit the southern coast of Ecuador. However, prices and crowds significantly increase from June to August. The best months to visit the southern coast fall in between seasons. Heavy rainfall, high prices and stifling crowds can be avoided from March to May, on the tail end of the rainy season but before summer vacation begins. The best weather is from January to March. Traveling during week days is recommended because at these times the beaches are not crowded. You might be lucky enough to get the beach to yourself. During the weekends, people from Guayaquil, Manta, and other main cities in Ecuador go to the beach and it gets crowded. However, weekends can be a good time to go for party lovers who want to meet locals.

5. How safe is the Southern Coast?
a. Safety on the southern coast is much like safety in the rest of Ecuador. Be cautious when leaving banks and ATM machines. Always check over your shoulder and don’t give your ATM card to anyone, including bank personnel. If there is a problem, go into the bank. During weekends if you have card issues, it is important to call your bank at home for support to block the account immediately. Do not draw out money at night.
b. Take precautions with alcohol and don’t take anything that might make you vulnerable to crime in party towns like Montanita or Canoa. Avoid walking alone at night and don’t carry large sums of cash. On the beaches and in Machalilla National Park, do not wander into areas not sanctioned by officials or tour guides.

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