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Voykit pocket guide · Ecuador
Portoviejo
One day covers the highlights – La Rotanda Park, Crucita Beach (paragliding/kite‑surf), a quick meal and a stay at Hotel Ceibo Real.
Portoviejo, the capital of Manabí province, offers a compact mix of colonial plazas, a lively beach scene and local crafts. Its attractions are clustered near the centre, so a half‑day to full‑day visit is sufficient unless you plan extended beach sport sessions.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Best months
- May–Nov (dry season)
- Avoid
- Dec–Apr (rainy season)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Bring small notes: $50 and $100 bills are often refused.
- Daily spend
- Budget $30–45 excl. bed · Mid $45–70 excl. bed · High $70+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro and Movistar (plus CNT) sell prepaid SIMs in malls and shops with a passport; Claro has the widest coverage.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US plugs work without adapters.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service often included; add a little for good service.; Galápagos naturalists and crew: US$10–20 per person per day in total, split per the boat's guidance.; Drivers and day guides: US$5–10 a day.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap in most places (Quito and Cuenca's water is treated but pipes vary); drink bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin, not the bowl; bus terminal toilets charge a few cents.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | $1–2 |
| Meal (local restaurant) | $5–9 |
| Taxi (city ride) | $3–5 |
| Paragliding launch fee | $15–25 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GYE · Eloy Alfaro International (Guayaquil)
- Main gateway, 2 h bus to Portoviejo
Typical fares
- Guayaquil → Portoviejo bus
- about $15, 2 h (check)
- Taxi city centre → Crucita Beach
- about $8 one‑way
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
City buses from Guayaquil, Manta and Quito; taxis are cheap; most sights are walkable from the centre.
See and do
Known for
- Royal tamarind trees
- Kapok mattresses and pillows
- Crucita Beach paragliding
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Crucita Beach | Taxi or local bus from centre, about 20 min | 30 min total |
| La Rotanda Park | Walk from city centre, 5 min | 5 min |
Sleep
- Hotel Ceibo Real
- Bilingual staff; single rooms $65, double $95; central location
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑KUL‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑SEE‑as |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN‑to KWEHS‑ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?DON‑de es‑TA el BAH‑nyo |
| Can I pay by card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?pwe‑DOO‑eh pa‑GAR con tar‑HE‑ta |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; women often one cheek kiss; avoid: Skipping the greeting before a question
- Time: Allow for 'hora ecuatoriana' socially; avoid: Assuming tours leave late — they do not
- Photos: Ask people first; avoid: Photographing children without permission
- Dress: Layers in the Andes; avoid: Beachwear in city centres
Scams and watch-outs
- After the 2016 earthquake some buildings are still under repair – check current status before entering.
- Bus schedules can vary; confirm departure times at the terminal.
Portoviejo is generally safe for day visitors; stay aware of after‑shocks from the 2016 quake and keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Portoviejo yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Royal tamarind trees
- Kapok mattresses and pillows
- Crucita Beach paragliding
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Portoviejo, revision 5080419 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5080419
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Portoviejo
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance911
US consulate is in Guayaquil; other embassies are in Quito.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/portoviejo). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.