Considered as one of the best beaches in Ecuador, Salinas is located in the Province of Santa Elena, on the Pacific Ocean, 120 km from Guayaquil.
Salinas (salt mine) is the beach where the Ruta del Sol (Sun’s Route) begins, a tourism corridor that runs along the Ecuadorian coast offering a variety of resorts to visit.
Being a peninsula, Salinas has different types of coastline, on one side of the bay with calm waters, and the other, with big waves.
The water of the ocean is warm year-round and the most popular beaches are Chipipe and San Lorenzo, divided by the Salinas Yacht Club.
Chipipe beach is quieter and wider while San Lorenzo beach is more crowded, with lots of people jet skiing and windsurfing.
San Lorenzo and Chipipe together with Santa Rosa beach with calm sea are good for swimming and snorkeling.
Beaches with big waves are in the military territory and you need a pass from the armed forces to enter. To get to beaches with strong waves, head toward the nearby town of La Libertad where the surf beaches of Mar Grande and Punta Carnero are.
The boardwalk of Salinas (Malecón) is the main attraction of this resort that offers lots of entertainment day and night and the unforgettable sunsets of the Pacific ocean.
The beach front is lined with high-rise apartment buildings, hotels, restaurants, discos, craft market, banks, ice cream shops, cyber cafes and supermarkets.
This is a perfect spot for families, with a Water Park for children and beaches with calm sea. The Naval Archaeological Museum exhibits signs of Pre-Hispanic Ecuadorian History.
There is entertainment for all ages in Salinas. The resort is for sunbathing during the day and disco-dancing and bars at night. Enjoy delicious fish and seafood, and a good Ecuadorian ceviche!
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Humpbacks whales
The whale-watching of humpbacks during their mating season is from June to October. You can book a tour by boat with expert guides.
Each year there is a parade for the arrival of whales in the summer along the Malecon with the presence of the president. There is a display of dances and performances culminating in a bonfire and beach party.
La Chocolatera
"La chocolatera" is the most westernmost tip of South America in the Pacific. It’s named after the sand bottom that rises from the sea currents that converge, giving the sea its chocolate color. This is the best place to spot humpback whales, with a land platform that offers a unique panoramic view of the entire peninsula.
In this area, there is also a seal colony at the tip, near the surf beach. It is important to mention that this area is within the military territory and it is quite difficult to enter without a tour.
Sportfishing
Punta Salinas hosts world deep sea sport fishing competitions, mainly for tuna, Blue and Black Marlin and sailfish. A few world records have been obtained here.
