La Chocolatera is the westernmost point of the Ecuadorian coast and the second-farthest-reaching point in South America. Five viewpoints are connected by self-guided trails with information panels. This striking coastal point can be explored at several stops, with each viewpoint and its trails offering a distinct perspective.
Coast Between Waves and Sea Views
Ecuador’s first national surfing championship was held at La Fae in 1984. Montañita offers visitors surfing lessons. Together, these places reflect two different connections to surfing: a dated moment in sporting history and an activity for visitors. But this stretch of coast also offers a maritime perspective beyond surfing. Tourist boats depart from the Muelle de San Lorenzo to explore the calm blue waters, watch birds and view Salinas’s buildings from the sea.
Off Salinas, humpback whales use the warm waters each year from June to September for mating and calving. This recurring period adds a clear seasonal highlight. By contrast, boat trips focus on the calm blue water, birdwatching and views of Salinas. When planning your visit, you can decide whether you are more interested in a seasonal natural event or experiencing the coast from the water.
The Reserva Marina El Pelado also shapes how visitors experience the marine landscape: it was added to Ecuador’s national protected areas heritage in October 2012 and covers 131 km². Its coastal areas include Playa del Palmar, Ayangue and Valdivia. Off Ayangue, opposite the islet of El Pelado, an image of Christ was installed underwater on December 29, 2011. It is 2.5 metres tall, weighs four tonnes and lies eleven metres below the water’s surface.
Birdlife, Forests and Waterfalls
More than 100 species of seabirds and wading birds live in the Humedal Ecuasal wetland. Around 300 bird species have been recorded in the Loma Alta Reserve, including endemic species from the Tumbes and ChocĂł regions as well as typical Andean species. Ecuasal is a habitat for seabirds and wading birds; Loma Alta brings together endemic species from Tumbes and ChocĂł with typical Andean species. The reserve runs a nature tourism project and has trained local environmental interpreters for it.
At Dos Mangas, the Las Cascadas trail passes through the humid forests of the Cordillera Chongón-Colonche and by several waterfalls. During the rainy season, the main waterfall can reach up to 20 metres in height. Dos Mangas’s craft tradition includes women working with the toquilla palm and men with tagua. Nature and crafts are two distinct aspects to discover here.
History, Crafts and Cultural Sites
Ancón is considered Ecuador’s first oil town and a historical-cultural heritage site; it was founded by the Anglo Ecuadorian Oilfields Company. The Circuito de la Paja Toquilla offers another connection to regional history. It leads to places in Santa Elena where the raw material for woven hats is grown and processed. Toquilla hats are considered an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The route therefore focuses on a craft tradition and the material’s origins, not just the finished product.
In the community of Sacachún, San Biritute is regarded as a symbolic representation of fertility, rain and love. The figure is deeply venerated there. In Salinas, Baño de San Juan is a traditional festival held on June 23 at Playa de San Lorenzo in the Las Palmeras sector. If the festival is important for planning your trip, check the specific dates for the relevant year.
Museum exhibits also offer a glimpse into the region’s long cultural history. The Museo Salinas Siglo XXI, also known as the Museo de la Gran PenĂnsula, features pre-Hispanic exhibitions that span 6,000 years of cultural history. These include the traditions of Valdivia, Chorrera, Engoroy, JambelĂ, Guangala and Guancavilca. The Museo Valdivia presents the Valdivia culture of the Formative Period, from 3000 BC to 1500 BC. It is known for its advanced pottery and Venus figurines associated with fertility and agriculture. These different themes range from regional traditions to specific ideas expressed through the figurines.
Discover more destinations: Santa Elena, Ayangue, Simon Bolivar, Punta Blanca, Ballenita, Ayampe, La Rinconada, Montañita, Olon, La Libertad, Chanduy, Anconcito, San Pablo, Valdivia.
For the main travel overview: Ecuador.
