About Ecuador

The gentle sea with the purest water and the magnificent sandy beaches of Ecuador attract more and more tourists yearly. The crystal turquoise color of the seawater sets the level of your vacation somewhere between stunning and perfect. So if you are looking for the perfect sea, this is your place!

Ecuador Best beaches

view the highest rated beaches in area

Playa man

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno 0.8 km
Very good
8
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand & rocks • Crowded in season • Sand & Rocks bottom
3.7 Amenities index

Playa Negra

Puerto Velasco Ibarra 0.2 km
Good
7.5
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Black sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
2.7 Amenities index

Playa de Oro

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno 0.5 km
Good
7
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand & rocks • Crowded in season • Sand & Rocks bottom
2.7 Amenities index
For explorers

Urbina Bay

Santo Tomas 55.1 km
Tolerable
5.8
Free entrance • Virgin beach • Turquoise pure water • Access by boat • White sand & rocks • Sand & Rocks bottom
0.5 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Playa del Amor

Puerto Villamil 2.6 km
Tolerable
5.8
Free entrance • Virgin beach • Easy access • Turquoise pure water • Bright sand & rocks • Sand & Rocks bottom
1.5 Amenities index

Calm, measured rest and the sound of waves are perhaps the most common associations that arise with the word "beach". This is not surprising, as relaxation is exactly what many beach travelers are looking for. If you associate your vacation primarily with such activity, choose one of the 34 beaches in the country.

To make your choice easier, we have prepared a list of the best beaches for relaxation in Ecuador.

Attraction and Infrastructure

As for the main features of the beaches of Ecuador, they are as follows:

  • The country's beaches are mainly wide, moderate length and have a high level of cleanliness. The most common surface is sand of bright color.
  • Usually, entry into the water is moderately gentle, such beaches are 19.
  • The average distance from the road to beach in Ecuador is less than 500 meters. 11 beaches are relatively easy to access, 5 beaches are difficult to access, which in most cases means that you have to walk a quite long distance, and 18 beaches are only accessible from the water. The latter include both island beaches and beaches with no land routes due to the natural borders.

Wild beaches with no infrastructure dominate the coastline of Ecuador however, even here you can find a beach with a standard set of accessories: sun beds, umbrellas, restaurants, showers and toilets.

Latest reviews on Ecuador's beaches

Playa man
8 Max R.

This beach is quite popular with sea lions, and after midday, with people as well. The water isn't very clear, so it's not the best place to swim with the sea lions. However, it's a great spot for interacting with them outside of the water. Just be careful not to leave your belongings unattended for too long, as the sea lions tend to lay on them and become territorial. We had a bit of a struggle getting our things back!

Playa Negra
6 Lila Anderson

While watching turtles in the water, all I could talk about were the coronas on the beach. The location was perfect, but unfortunately, I didn't stay here. I really wish I had!

Playa de Oro
10 Luisa Martinez

This is a wonderful spot to unwind and enjoy the majestic sea lions. It's conveniently located near the pier, making it a truly one-of-a-kind destination.

Urbina Bay
10 Richardson Daniel

The Galapagos island is a stunning and unspoiled destination, boasting breathtaking natural beauty and an abundance of unique wildlife. From the majestic iguanas and finches to the charming hummingbirds and penguins, visitors are treated to a truly unforgettable experience. The presence of giant tortoises is a testament to the island's commitment to conservation and preservation. It's heartening to know that there are still protected and pristine places on our planet, and the Galapagos island is certainly one of them.

Playa del Amor
8 Tim van der Hoorn

This beach is a great spot to visit, and what's even better is that it's free for the public to enjoy. You'll find plenty of animals to observe at this lovely little beach.

Please note that lifeguards supervise 4 beaches in the country, but you should rely on more than just them, remember the elementary rules, as lifeguards are not on duty around the clock, even on equipped beaches!

Finding hotels in relative proximity to the beaches is usually fine. Many beaches have enough nearby accommodation, which gives good opportunities to choose the right place to stay.

Do you know how many beaches there are in Ecuador? In total there are 34 beaches and the most popular is Tortuga Bay Galapagos.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main features of best beaches in Ecuador?

When it comes to finding the best beaches in Ecuador, the following aspects should be taken into account.

There are 34 beaches in total, of which about 15 can be called high-rated.

The best beaches in the majority:

They are also usually:

The best beaches in Ecuador:

View all beaches in Ecuador and create your selection by features

How to view only nearest to me beaches in Ecuador?

To find the beaches closest to your current geolocation, click the Nearby Beaches icon in the search box. You will see the nearest beaches sorted by distance from you.

Note, that if you only want to see the beaches closest to you in Ecuador, you must be in that area to get the correct results.

See also: View all beaches in Ecuador and create your selection by features.

How to view all beaches in Ecuador on map?

What are all easy accessible beaches in Ecuador?

Most of the beaches located in Ecuador are hard to reach, but there are also easily accessible beaches among them. Use the filter to sort the beaches by access details (parking, distance etc.).

Popular categories of beaches in Ecuador by access:

See also the categories:

Top 5 popular beaches with easy access in Ecuador:

View all beaches in Ecuador and select by features

How to view all sandy beaches or beaches with other natural features in Ecuador?

Use the "Main features" section of the filter in search results to see all the beaches with the feature you're interested in.

The most popular selections of beaches with natural features are listed below. Don't forget that you can create your own selection with any combination of features

Beach coverage and water

Natural scenery

View all beaches in Ecuador and select by features

How to find uncrowded beaches in Ecuador?

The presence of crowds of tourists on the beach these days is becoming a mass character, and sometimes you want silence and solitude. Use the filter in search results to view the beaches in Ecuador by occupancy.

Popular categories:

View all beaches in Ecuador and select by features

Which beaches in Ecuador are kid-friendly, good for relax, pet-friendly, naturist-friendly, camping-friendly?

How to view all beaches by amenities details in Ecuador?

Use filter in search results to select a beach according to your preference for amenities.

Popular beach infrastructure categories:

See also:

View all beaches in Ecuador and select by specific amenities

How to view all beaches by activity of interest in Ecuador?

Use the "Activity" section of the filter in search results to view the selections of beaches by one or multiple activities. Below are a few popular selections that you can change as you like using our filter.

View all beaches in Ecuador and select by activity