Isla de la Plata

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Pacific coast

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Isla de la Plata

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 Notes can be withdrawn from ATMs using a UK credit or debit card, but the permitted withdrawal may be a lower amount than at home.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.

If you still have questions, please contact us and one of our Travel Experts will be happy to help.

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  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    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.

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    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.

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    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

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    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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    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

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    Alex Walker - Travel Expert

    A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

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