Pacific coast holidays
Pacific coast holidays at a glance
Ecuador’s Pacific Coast is a gentle landscape of tropical agriculture, forests and warm-water bays. Less famous internationally than the Galápagos Islands, it still offers a wealth of natural attractions and outdoor experiences.
Developing tourism infrastructure has opened up activities ranging from whale watching to snorkelling, diving and exploring archaeological sites. The offshore wildlife around Isla de la Plata is particularly impressive, with colonies of waved albatrosses, frigate birds, boobies and sea lions that are notably tolerant of visitors.
The coastline also boasts some of Ecuador’s finest beaches. Los Frailes Beach stands out as one of the loveliest stretches of coast in the country. Nearby, Machalilla National Park protects an important area of tropical dry forest and coastal ecosystems.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Pacific coast
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
The northern Pacific lowlands of Ecuador have a gentle landscape of tropical agriculture, forest and warm-water bays.
When to visit Pacific coast
Best time to visit Ecuador Pacific Coast? Warm year-round, but two fairly distinct seasons worth knowing.
Weather-wise, January is the start of the best time for visiting the pacific coast to enjoy its fabulous beaches and friendly fishing villages. Although it marks the start of the wet season, the sea temperatures are warm – ideal for learning to surf – and the days are in the main clear, sunny and a hot 30°C. Afternoon downpours are common but clear up quickly and give over to clear skies and wonderful sunsets. New Year is a popular time for locals to head to the coast.
The wet season, paradoxically the best time to visit for long clear sunny days and warm seas, arrives at its peak in April before the transition to the cooler and less popular dry season begins in May. Beaches get crowded in Easter but from May onwards the skies are often overcast with a permanently haze and the sea gets cold.
Although it’s still hot (average 28°C) the overcast hazy skies that dominate mean the best time for sunbathing and enjoying the beaches is over. Instead, the arrival of humpback whales in Jun marks the start of the best time for nature lovers to visit the Pacific coast. The seas are cold and choppy but the wonderful offshore Isla de la Plata also experiences a burst in wildlife activity on land as well as underwater, to the delight of snorkelers.
The cold seas and hazy overcast days of the dry season persist during these months so although it’s still hot (average 28°C) these months are still not great for enjoying the beaches. The main reason to visit in these months is still for the whale watching, which remains excellent in September and October. By November the whales have moved away but Isla de la Plata is still very rewarding to visit.
Top Things to do in Pacific coast
The Pacific Coast combines wildlife, marine activities and beautiful scenery in one of Ecuador’s most varied regions – there’s plenty of things to do on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast, from the water to the trails inland.
Take a trip to the marine reserve of Isla de la Plata, offering a close-up wildlife experience reminiscent of the Galápagos Islands at a fraction of the cost.
Take a trip to Montecristi to see where the misnamed Panama hat originates from.
Take to the seas to see humpback whales breaching in Machalilla National Park.
FAQs about visiting Pacific coast
Pacific coast is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit the Pacific Coast?
The weather is typically hot and sunny (over 28°C) with heavy rain showers Jan-Apr, cooler and more overcast outside this period. Beaches can be crowded in local holiday periods.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What language is spoken on the Pacific Coast?
The main language spoken in the Pacific Coast is Spanish.
- What currency do I need on the Pacific Coast?
The US dollar is the main currency used on the Pacific Coast. There are a number of banks in Guayaquil and Manta. Notes can be withdrawn from ATMs using a UK credit or debit card, but the permitted withdrawal may be a lower amount than at home.
- What is the time difference between the Pacific Coast and the UK?
The time difference between the Pacific Coast and the UK is GMT -5 hours.
- What places combine well with the Pacific Coast?
The Galápagos Islands, 1.5hrs by air from Guayaquil; the southern upland city of Cuenca, 175km (2hrs 40mins by road) from Guayaquil.
- How do you get to the Pacific Coast?
Access is by air to Manta, a Pacific port, and then by road via Montecristi, a town where panama hats are made.
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