Ecuador > Pacific Coast
From vibrant tropical cities, to whale watching, to mangroves and fascinating pre-Incan cultures, Ecuador’s Pacific Lowlands offer a superb alternative for those who are unable to travel to the altitude of Ecuador’s capital Quito.
Guayaquil, Ecuador’s second city, makes an excellent base for a Galapagos trip as all planes en route to the islands from Quito stop here. For a longer stay the Ruta del Sol (The Route of the Sun) is a beautiful coastal scenery road that runs through colourful fishing villages, and is flanked by dozens of salt pans teeming with shoreline and water birds as well as flamingos.
Between June and September you have the awe-inspiring opportunity to see Humpback Whales as they migrate from the icy waters of Antarctica, to the warmer Pacific waters off the coast of Ecuador to mate and give birth.
Day trips from Guayaquil
Guayaquil city tour - Ecuador’s second city, a vibrant tropical port with historic city park, a zoo which has enjoyed considerable success in breeding and returning to the wild endangered species such as Harpy Eagles and an impressive new promenade that runs alongside the River Guayas.
Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco is 3,450 hectares tropical dry forest reserve located 16 kilometers west of Guayaquil. Although it is a relatively small area it is home to over 200 bird species including the great green macaw and around 35 different species of mammals including jaguars, monkeys, ocelots and peccaries and is a great example of tropical dry forest and mangroves.
The Churute Mangroves - A 50,000 hectare reserve 45 minutes from Guayaquil is one of the most important national protected areas due to its rich biodiversity. It is the only remaining protected area of mangroves in this area of the coast and supports a wide variety of birds and mammals and sometimes dolphins can be seen here. Visit the reserve in a canoe.
1-day visits from Guayaquil from £85 per person
The price is based on two people sharing and includes admissions, lunch, a private guide and private transport from your hotel in Guayaquil.
5-Day Ruta del Sol Coastal Extension
Day 1 City tour of Guayaquil, its historic park and the zoo where we will see the work being done to restore populations of endangered birds and mammals from the coastal area of Ecuador. After a light lunch during the city tour, we will have dinner together in the historic lighthouse district.
Day 2 After an early breakfast we set off from Guayaquil crossing dry tropical and coastal forest areas until we arrive in Salinas. Here we will have a chance to explore the salt hills and brackish water lagoons where we have the chance to see Flamingos, Herons, Phalaropes and Plovers amounts others. After lunch we will drive further north along the Ruta del Sol until we arrive in Ayampe and the award winning Alandaluz eco lodge, built mainly from Bambo with a private beach surrounded by organic vegetable gardens as well as small bamboo forests.
Day 3 After breakfast we will drive to the nearby low land tropical forest and walk along the trail by the crystal clear waters of the river Ayampe in the Cantalapiedra Wild Life Sanctuary, populated by howler monkeys, ant bears, vaguarundis, wildcats and an array of birds including the endemic Pale-mandibled Aracari ,Lineated Woodpecker, Black Tailed Trogon and many others. Afternoon free to relax.
Day 4 After breakfast we set off to visit Montecristi, a coastal town and home to a community of master weavers, responsible for creating the finest Panama hats in the world. Then we visit the Agua Blanca community home a fascinating pre-Incan ruins and archaeological remains. Arrive at the Hotel mid afternoon
Day 5 After a leisurely breakfast we will make our way slowly to Guayaquil back along the Ruta del Sol, stopping for lunch on the way and arriving back at our hotel in the late afternoon.
5 -day Coastal extension from £520 per person.
The price is based on two people sharing and includes all meals and lodging in the coast, private guide and transport.
