Ecuador’s Captivating Pacific Coast

A visit to the Pacific Coast of Ecuador will give travelers a completely different view of Ecuador — nature reserves, archeological ruins, cacao and banana plantations.

See where the reeds used to create Panama hats are grown and where the hat-making process begins, enjoy the stunning beaches and take a boat trip to Isla de la Plata to observe the blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca boobies and many more bird species while whale watching en route.

Among the highlights of any visit to the Ecuadorian coast are Pacific Ocean whale watching, whitewater rafting Toachi and Blanco rivers, the ancient Agua Blanca ruins in Machalilla National Park (one of South America’s oldest archeological sites), and sampling a regional cuisine that revolves around fresh-off-the-boat seafood and straight-from-the-farm fruits, herbs, and vegetables.