Best scenic beaches in Ecuador, 2026
25 scenic beaches in Ecuador that score highest on the OnlyBeaches Index for what matters to scenic travellers.How we rank →
1OBI 7.5+
La Playita
Puerto López, Ecuador
Small named beach pocket near Puerto López that generic maps may merge into the town beach.
2OBI 7.5+
Playa Ancha
Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Recognized Esmeraldas-area beach with broad sand and local weekend use.
3OBI 7.5+
Playa Anconcito
Anconcito, Ecuador
Fishing-port beach with a local coastal feel south of Salinas.
Playa Ancón de Sardinas
Ancón de Sardinas, Ecuador
Frontier bay beach with strong local identity around the Ancón de Sardinas estuary.
Playa Ayampe
Ayampe, Ecuador
Laid-back surf village beach at the Manabí–Santa Elena coastal transition.
6OBI 7.5+
Playa Ayangue
Ayangue, Ecuador
Protected bay known for calm water, seafood, and boat trips.
7OBI 7.5+
Playa Balao
Balao, Ecuador
Local beach between Esmeraldas city and Atacames, often overshadowed by bigger names.
8OBI 7.5+
Playa Ballenita
Ballenita, Ecuador
Historic Santa Elena beach town with easy access and sunset views.
9OBI 7.5+
Playa Boca del Santiago
Boca del Santiago, Ecuador
Wide river-mouth beach landscape at the Santiago-Cayapas outlet into the Pacific.
Playa Bocana de Lagarto
Bocana de Lagarto, Ecuador
Estuary-edge beach area likely missed outside local coastal routes.
11OBI 7.5+
Playa Bocana de Mataje
Bocana de Mataje, Ecuador
Remote estuary-mouth beach landscape at the northern edge of Ecuador’s Pacific coast.
12OBI 7.5+
Playa Bocana de Tonchigüe
Tonchigüe, Ecuador
River-mouth beach sector near Tonchigüe with local character and fewer visitors.
13OBI 7.5+
Playa Borbón
Borbón, Ecuador
Local river-mouth/coastal beach zone serving nearby Borbón communities.
Playa Cachimalero
Cachimalero, Ecuador
Quiet coastal beach near small Afro-Ecuadorian communities.
15OBI 7.5+
Playa Camarones
Tachina, Ecuador
Recognized local beach east of Esmeraldas, useful for non-resort coastal coverage.
16OBI 7.5+
Playa Campanita
Campanita, Ecuador
Small local beach zone that helps cover real community coastal use north of Esmeraldas.
17OBI 7.5+
Playa Canal de Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa, Ecuador
Quiet shoreline linked to the Canal de Santa Rosa wildlife route near Limones.
Playa Canchimalero
Canchimalero, Ecuador
Local coastal settlement beach tied to mangrove channels and regional boat movement.
Playa Capaes
Capaes, Ecuador
Residential beach with calmer vacation-home atmosphere near Ballenita.
Playa Cauchal
San Lorenzo, Ecuador
San Lorenzo’s best-known coastal beach, valued as a quiet northern Esmeraldas escape.
21OBI 7.5+
Playa Cautivo
Santa Elena, Ecuador
Low-key community beach between Ballenita and La Libertad often missed by visitors.
Playa Chuyuipe
Chuyuipe, Ecuador
Small local beach between Ballenita and Capaes often skipped by visitors.
Playa Curía
Curía, Ecuador
Low-density village beach suited to relaxed stays and long walks.
Playa Data de Posorja
Data de Posorja, Ecuador
Coastal village beach on the route between Data and Posorja.
Playa Data de Villamil
Data de Villamil, Ecuador
Popular beach village south of Playas on the Data coastline.