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Voykit pocket guide · Ecuador
Salinas
Spend 1–2 days in Salinas: beach, surf and seafood, with optional water‑park or whale‑watching (June–Oct), then return to Guayaquil.
Salinas is a small coastal town about 124 km from Guayaquil. Its main draw is the beach and surf at Punta Carnero, plus Aqua Adventure water park and seasonal whale‑watching. A night‑time stay lets you enjoy the nightlife and fresh seafood without a long travel‑time commitment.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Best months
- Dec–May (peak tourist season, busy weekends)
- Avoid
- none
- 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 $25–35 excl. bed · Mid $45–60 excl. bed · High $70–90 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 | $2–3 |
| Seafood plate (ceviche, arroz marinero) | $8–12 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | $10–12 |
| Car rental per day | $25 |
| Aqua Adventure water‑park entry | $12–15 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SNC · General Ulpiano Paez Airport
- No scheduled commercial flights (TAME ceased service).
Typical fares
- Bus Salinas → Guayaquil
- ≈ USD 3.25, 2 h (check)
- Car rental per day
- ≈ USD 25, any licence (check)
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
Rent a car in Guayaquil (≈ USD 25 / day, any licence accepted) and drive the Ruta del Sol; buses run to Guayaquil (≈ USD 3.25) and north to Manta (≈ 6 h).
See and do
Known for
- Punta Carnero surf beach
- Aqua Adventure water park
- Whale‑watching (June–Oct)
- Seafood restaurants
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Guayaquil | Bus from Salinas, about 2 h, 124 km (77 mi)Bus from Salinas, about 2 h, 77 mi (124 km) | ≈ 2 h |
| Manta (Ruta del Sol) | Bus north, about 6 h | ≈ 6 h |
Sleep
- Caravel Hotel
- Budget option, basic room, Wi‑Fi at reception.
- Hotel Mediterraneo
- Mid‑range, comfortable, near beach.
- Barcelo Colon Miramar
- Higher‑end, splurge choice.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis-KOOL-peh |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-syahs |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah |
| Where is the beach? | ¿Dónde está la playa?DON-deh ehs-TAH lah PLAH-yah |
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
- Motorcycle‑theft scams target tourists; keep valuables out of sight.
- Sun is strong; use SPF 50 sunscreen.
- Surf at La Chocolatera is for experienced surfers only (low tide, strong waves).
Tourist crime has risen; avoid walking alone after dark and keep valuables hidden.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Salinas yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Punta Carnero surf beach
- Aqua Adventure water park
- Whale‑watching (June–Oct)
- Seafood restaurants
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: Salinas (Ecuador), revision 5243925 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5243925
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Salinas
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 in Guayaquil (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/salinas-ecuador). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.