Discover Anconcito through two distinct rhythms: the tides along the coast and the calendar of local festivals. There are also viewpoints overlooking the fishing port and the beaches of Ancón. When planning your trip, it’s worth first considering whether you’d like to focus your stay on a celebration, distinctive beach formations, or outdoor activities.

Beaches: tidal pools, pale sand, and water sports

At Playa Punta de los Acantilados, natural pools appear at low tide. The waves have shaped them in the oceanic rock, so the tide is an important factor when planning a visit to this beach. Playa la Samba offers a different coastal scene: it has a rock formation resembling a viewpoint and pale cream-colored sand.

Playa la Bramona is in Barrio Manabí, in the Anconcito parish. The beach areas are rocky and there are saltwater pools. The beach is also considered suitable for surfing and bodyboarding. Check local conditions before swimming or surfing. This makes it possible to distinguish the coastal spots by their specific features: natural pools that appear at low tide, a rock formation beside pale sand, and rocky areas and saltwater pools associated with surfing and bodyboarding.

Viewpoints and photo spots

Bosque Palo Santo, a natural area in the Anconcito parish, has several viewpoints. From there, you can see the fishing port and the beaches of Ancón. Cycling and hiking are also activities in Bosque Palo Santo. Along with the views, the focus is on outdoor recreation and coastal scenery.

Mirador Encantado is in Barrio Manabí. You can take photos in front of the locality’s signs, with boats visible in the background. This makes for a different photo spot from the viewpoints in Bosque Palo Santo, which look out over the port and the beaches of Ancón: here, the signs and boats are in the picture, while over there, the view is of the port and coast.

Church and religious festivals

Iglesia San Miguel de Arcángel is the largest church in the Anconcito parish and the one most frequently used by worshippers. Outside, there is a statue of a female figure holding a child. Near the church, a viewpoint overlooks the sea. The church, statue, and sea view are three distinct landmarks for visitors.

Anconcito’s Fiestas de Parroquialización, held annually on December 18, include cycling races and a student parade. Celebrations in honor of the Virgen del Pescador are held annually in May. A boat carrying an image of the Virgen del Pescador leads the way, followed at sea by a procession of decorated boats. A public dance takes place at the fishing port afterward.

Anconcito’s fishing port has facilities required for fishing operations. It is also the venue for the public dance held after the procession. The two festivals differ in timing and program: the December festival includes cycling races and a student parade, while the May festival features the boat procession followed by a dance at the port.

Plan a visit to suit you

The experiences described call for different planning priorities. Low tide is essential for seeing the natural pools at Playa Punta de los Acantilados; if you want to attend one of the festivals, plan around its date. If you plan to swim or take part in water sports at Playa la Bramona, you should also check local conditions. If you’re planning your trip around a festival, confirm the specific dates locally in advance. This will help you decide whether beaches, viewpoints, activities in Bosque Palo Santo, or a festival should be the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: La Rinconada, Ayangue, Ayampe, Ballenita, Simon Bolivar, San Pablo, Olon, La Libertad

For the wider travel overview: Santa Elena.