Major city · Ecuador
Atacames
Spend 2 days in Atacames: one full beach day plus a short fishing or nearby village trip; travel time from Guayaquil about 7 h by bus.
Atacames is a low‑key coastal town with a 5 km beach, affordable seafood, and easy day‑trip options to Súa and Same. A two‑day stay covers beach time, a fishing excursion, and a quick visit to the local marine museum.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry season, lower humidity)
- avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, higher chance of storms)
- Airport
- ESM
- Nights
- 2
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 Atacames911 ▾
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 Atacames, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe during daylight; keep valuables secure, especially in budget hotels, and avoid isolated beach sections after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the bowl; bus terminal toilets charge a few cents.Ecuador-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and 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.
- AirportESM Esmeraldas Airport (Flights from Quito or Cali; 30‑40 min taxi to Atacames).
- Getting aroundWalk along the beachfront for most sights; taxis are cheap for short trips to Súa or Same…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (bottle)$2–3
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi) within town)Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km) within town)$5–7
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry$1
- Budget bedStandard double room, a night, per roomUS$45
- Mid-range bedStandard double room, a night, per roomUS$60
- High-end bedStandard double room, a night, per roomUS$80
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
- ESM Esmeraldas Airport (Flights from Quito or Cali; 30‑40 min taxi to Atacames)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°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
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Atacames: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
4 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
3 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
3 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 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
Walk along the beachfront for most sights; taxis are cheap for short trips to Súa or Same; buses run to nearby villages but run infrequently outside high season.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Súa village
goDoor to door: 15 min total
Walk 10 min north along the beach path; no transport needed
Small fishing community, good for a quick beach walk.
Same resort village
cautionDoor to door: 10 min total
Walk 5 min south from the main beach; path unmaintained
Mostly empty outside high season; limited services.
Museo y Acuario Marino
goDoor to door: 10 min total
Walk east on the main beach road, 5 min
$1 entry, 10‑minute visit.
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.
Arco Iris Resort
$40–60 per night, sea‑view rooms, no breakfast
Costa Paraiso Hotel
$60 per night, sea‑view, breakfast included
Hostal Juan Sebastian
$70 per night, air‑conditioned, no sea view
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
| Standard double room1 × 2 nights × US$60 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$55 | US$220 |
| Bus Guayaquil → Atacames (one‑way)2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Taxi from Esmeraldas Airport to Atacames2 × US$12 · check | US$24 |
| Fishing trip with locals (3 h)2 × US$25 · check | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$43 |
| Trip total≈ US$119 per person per day, bed included | US$477 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and long‑distance bus fares excluded.
Prices of common things
| Ceviche plate | $5–8 |
| Pizza (Mama Mia) | $12 |
| Beer (bottle) | $2–3 |
| Taxi (5 km within town) | $5–7 |
| Museum entry | $1 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Theft reports in hotels – use a safe and avoid leaving valuables unattended.
- Small villages (Súa, Same) are nearly empty outside July‑August; plan trips early in the day.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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AtacamesAtacames
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in Guayaquil; other embassies in Quito.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Guayaquil → Atacames bus: about $10, 7 h (check schedule)
- Taxi airport → town: about $12, 30 min
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwahn-toh koo-eh-stah)
- Quisiera una habitación — I would like a room (kee-syeh-rah oo-nah ah-bee-tah-syon)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (don-deh es-tah lah plah-yah)
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 Atacames. 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: Jun–Sep (dry season, lower humidity) · avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, higher chance of storms) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus from Guayaquil (7 h, $10) – check schedules.
- Flight to Esmeraldas, then 30‑min taxi to Atacames – check airline availability.
Sources
Ask about Atacames
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