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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.
A trip up the Ruta del Spondylus could last months, weeks, or days...
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.
