Overview

The northern Pacific lowlands of Ecuador have a gentle landscape of tropical agriculture, forest and warm-water bays. The developing tourist infrastructure is yielding a wide range of things to do, from whale watching to exploring pre-Columbian ruins, and diving and snorkelling at the coral reef around Isla de la Plata where the bird and animal life ― which includes colonies of waved albatrosses, frigate birds, boobies and sea-lions ― is not afraid of human proximity. Los Frailes beach is one of the loveliest on the coast.

Nearby is Machalilla National Park, which embraces and protects the tropical dry forest.

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Things to do

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Where to go when - our guide to Pacific coast

Pacific Coast

The weather in Pacific coast is wide and varied

Whilst Ecuador’s Pacific coast is hot all year round, with little significant change in temperature, there are nevertheless two distinct seasons, the wet and the dry season. The central and southern coastal strip is the most visited and appealing stretch, boasting some lovely palm-fringed beaches and friendly fishing villages. It’s an arid region with rains usually only falling in the January-April wet season but, even then, mostly only as short sharp downpours. Paradoxically, whether learning to surf or simply wanting to sunbathe and relax on the beautiful beaches, these months are the best time to visit. You can expect warm waters, clear skies, average highs of around 30°C and almost permanent sunshine. The arrival of the cold ocean currents in May sees the transition to the ‘cooler’ dry season, which lasts until December. During these months average temperatures are still a high 28°C but the days are often hazy and overcast and the sea notably colder. However, this is the ideal time for nature lovers as humpback whales arrive to breed in June and can be seen just off the coast through to October. The seasonal differentials are less notable in the little visited far north, which has a hotter and distinctly equatorial tropical climate with rain to be expected every month.

View our Pacific coast weather guide

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Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

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Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Paul
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Chris
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

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