You are traveling to Ecuador and wonder which are the best coastal cities. It can be overwhelming to find the best places when you don’t know a country.
Keep reading to find the best Ecuadorian coastal cities and the safest beach towns in Ecuador.
This article is ALL about Ecuador coastal cities and the safest beach towns in Ecuador that you must add to your itinerary.
ECUADOR COASTAL CITIES MAP
To help you plan your itinerary along the Ecuadorian coast, here is a map to help you visualize your future trip!
ECUADOR BIGGEST COASTAL CITIES
These cities are the biggest on the Ecuadorian coast, but in my opinion, are not the best to visit or the safest. I will rank them from the “worst” to the “best” coastal cities.
ESMERALDAS
I don’t have much to say about the city of Esmeraldas located on the northern part of the Ecuadorian coast. Considered as one of the most dangerous parts of Ecuador, you should avoid it!
It’s a shame because this region looks beautiful, but I have been in Ecuador for more than a year and have never been there. And honestly, I will probably never go. And trust me on this, you should not go either.
MANTA
Ecuadorian people LOVE Manta, and honestly, I don’t get it. Manta is a rather large city, so if you are in transit there you will easily find a place to stay or to eat.
But touristically speaking, I don’t see an interest.
However, San Lorenzo beach is half an hour away from Manta, and this place is beautiful. So if you are staying in Manta, go there on a day trip, I promise you, you won’t regret it!
SALINAS BEACH
Salinas, part of the canton of Santa Elena, has some really beautiful beaches. La Loberia, Punta Carnero, Chulluype… But the city in itself is neither the most beautiful nor the safest.
I have been there a dozen times and I have never felt comfortable walking around by myself. So if you go there, because I believe it is still worth it, rent a car to be able to move around and visit the different beaches all over the canton of Santa Elena.
PUERTO LOPEZ
Puerto Lopez isn’t the most beautiful city on the Ecuadorian coast, but there is something about it that you will love. Rather big, you will find everything you need there.
Puerto Lopez is famous for its tours to la Isla Salango and la Isla de la Plata, and for snorkeling. So if you love marine life, you will love this place!
It is also a rather safe city, as many foreigners looking for a chiller way of living move there.
SAFEST BEACH TOWNS IN ECUADOR
Apart from the big coastal cities, you will find along the coast a multitude of small beach towns. And you will be happy to know that some of them are safe and the best places to chill on the Ecuadorian coast.
Keep reading to know the safest beach towns in Ecuador!
MONTAÑITA
Backpackers paradise, Montañita is the perfect beach town in Ecuador if you want to chill, surf, and party.
The small town is full of nightclubs, bars, and restaurants. It can be a bit overwhelming if you are looking for peace and serenity, but if you want to enjoy the Ecuadorian nightlife, it is the place to be.
Even the locals go there to party!
The beach in Montañita is really wide, so you don’t have to worry about it being overcrowded. Before moving to Ecuador, I was used to the South of France’s beaches. Let me tell you, you will have all the space you need there!
Olón
Located 5 minutes away from Montañita, Olón is way calmer.
More family-oriented, this small Ecuadorian beach town is the perfect place to relax and live la “dolce vita”. The beach there is as wide as Montañita’s so you won’t have to worry about it being overcrowded either.
If you are in between nightlife and chill life, I suggest you stay in Olón and take a taxi to Montañita at night to go party! It will cost you only $2 and if you ask your host or hotel receptionist for a safe taxi company you won’t have any problem.
After all, Olón is one of the safest beach towns in Ecuador!
AYAMPE
Small Ecuadorian beach town, Ayampe is the place to be if you just want to chill and surf all day. The vibes there will make disappear your stress or any issue you might have during your stay.
Definitely one of the safest beach towns in Ecuador and one of the smallest, you will be able to do everything on foot. During the day and even at night! Which I think is crazy for the Ecuadorian coast.
And hey! Don’t forget to watch the sunset on the beach! The colors I have been able to see there in the sky were just out of this world.
MOMPICHE
Oh, Mompiche… The beach town where time stops.
Even smaller and more chill than Ayampe, Mompiche is what I think heaven would look like.
If you are looking for the safest beach town in Ecuador, you won’t find any safer than that. And it is probably the only part of the province of Esmeralda that you will be able to visit.
Most locals there are fishers or have a restaurant in the village. No huge nightclubs or bars, Mompiche is the place to be if you need a total reset.
And while you are there, don’t forget to visit la Playa Negra, a hidden black sand beach located just 30 minutes away (by foot) from the small beach town.