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 Notes can be withdrawn from ATMs using a UK credit or debit card, but the permitted withdrawal may be a lower amount than at home.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

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    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.

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    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

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    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

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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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