Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Nov (dry season)
- avoid Dec–Apr (rainy season)
- Airport
- GYE
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Ecuador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Ecuadorian consulate.
- Ecuador ↗The Galápagos has its own entry controls: a transit control card bought at the airport before departure, a national park entrance fee, and inspections for food and plants. Check official Galápagos rules before booking.
- Ecuador ↗Several coastal provinces (including Guayas, where Guayaquil is) are under official warnings and periodic states of emergency; read your government's advice before routing through them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Portoviejo911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Portoviejo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).Ecuador-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro and Movistar (plus CNT) sell prepaid SIMs in malls and shops with a passport; Claro has the widest coverage.Ecuador-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap in most places (Quito and Cuenca's water is treated but pipes vary); drink bottled or filtered.Ecuador-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service often included; add a little for good service.Ecuador-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ecuador-wide
- SafetyPortoviejo is generally safe for day visitors; stay aware of after‑shocks from the 2016 quake and keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the bowl; bus terminal toilets charge a few cents.Ecuador-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; national strikes can shut roads for days.Ecuador-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGYE Eloy Alfaro International (Guayaquil) (Main gateway, 2 h bus to Portoviejo).
- Getting aroundCity buses from Guayaquil, Manta and Quito; taxis are cheap; most sights are walkable from the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$1–2
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (city ride)$3–5
- Budget bedHotel Ceibo Real double, a night, per roomUS$95
- Mid-range bedHotel Ceibo Real double, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedHotel Ceibo Real double, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$55 · High US$80
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GYE Eloy Alfaro International (Guayaquil) (Main gateway, 2 h bus to Portoviejo)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: May–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Portoviejo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses from Guayaquil, Manta and Quito; taxis are cheap; most sights are walkable from the centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Crucita Beach
goDoor to door: 30 min total
Taxi or local bus from centre, about 20 min
Popular for paragliding and kite‑surfing; bring cash for gear rentals.
La Rotanda Park
goDoor to door: 5 min
Walk from city centre, 5 min
Iconic roundabout with tamarind trees; free entry.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Ceibo Real
Bilingual staff; single rooms $65, double $95; central location
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–45 excl. bed
- Mid
- $45–70 excl. bed
- High
- $70+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Ceibo Real double1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$55 | US$110 |
| Bus Guayaquil → Portoviejo (round‑trip)2 × US$15 · check schedule | US$30 |
| Taxi to Crucita Beach (one way)2 × US$8 · approx. | US$16 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × US$12 · check provider | US$24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$30 |
| Trip total≈ US$165 per person per day, bed included | US$330 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and long‑distance buses excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $1–2 |
| Meal (local restaurant) | $5–9 |
| Taxi (city ride) | $3–5 |
| Paragliding launch feecheck operator | $15–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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PortoviejoPortoviejo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate is in Guayaquil; other embassies are in Quito.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Guayaquil → Portoviejo bus: about $15, 2 h (check)
- Taxi city centre → Crucita Beach: about $8 one‑way
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑KUL‑pe)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra‑SEE‑as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is this? (KWAN‑to KWEHS‑ta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (DON‑de es‑TA el BAH‑nyo)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (pwe‑DOO‑eh pa‑GAR con tar‑HE‑ta)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Portoviejo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Nov (dry season) · avoid Dec–Apr (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Hotel Ceibo Real for relaxed beach time.
- Combine with a day in nearby Manta (2 h bus) for seafood.
Sources
Ask about Portoviejo
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