Salinas
Tour operators I Fun
I Museums I Transport
I Accommodation I Restaurants
I General interest
I Shopping I Luxury
Apartments for Sale in Salinas I Write
a review about Salinas 
Salinas is considered the best
tourist beach resort in Ecuador and the Pacific coastline
by many visitors. The sandy moon bay arcs around the
resort with dozens of high rising apartment blocks belonging
to the wealthier Ecuadorian and foreigner overseas residents
overlooking the main road fronted by colorful shops,
restaurants, bars, discos, an historical marine museum
and major hotels with casinos encased in the latter.
Salinas, is also the main starting point to the scenic
Pacific "Route
of the Sun" with many tourist resorts and attractions
to drive through. The high season in Salinas (December
- April), is party time with plenty of night life and
nice bars to enjoy along the main frontage of the bay.
Later this year a water theme park with giant shoots,
whirl pools and wave machines will also be a further
attraction. Salinas, offers the most developed tourist
infrastructure (regarding to accommodation, beaches,
resorts and other attractions) together with the most
exiting whale watching tours with luxurious yachts and
professional guides. The closest and finest location
to witness the wonder of these amazing creatures in
the wild. A once-in-a-lifetime experience that should
not be missed...
The weather in Salinas has great temperatures
all year round. The major season is warmer with temperatures
between 80s-90s, while the quieter season (Mid-May to
early December) has lower temperatures (between 60s-70s).
The scenic bay is full of jet skiers,
water skiers, hang-gliders, sky divers and a plethora
of various sized yachts anchored in the bay adjacent
to the yacht club. The beach is very popular during
high season and most weekends along with warm waters
all year round due to its peninsular position receiving
great weather with blue cloudless skies and long hot
sunny periods for most of the year.
While on the beach you'll find several
free-lance tour operators offering boat excursions and/or
tours around the closest fishing villages, such as Ballenita,
Ayangue and many other destinations. In the beach, you
can also hire Jet Skis for about US $40,00 an hour,
or US $20.00 for a 30 minute ride. Water skiing is also
available for the same price.
A second major beach in Salinas is
Chipipe (adjacent to the yacht club), with exciting
waves for body boarding or Mori Boogie boarding in a
pleasant environment. Chipipe is located
in a residential area compared to the main Salinas'
beach, which is the commercial side of this small city.
Open markets are available in both areas during the
evening selling handicrafts, coral jewelry, multi colored
dyed clothing art and shell crafts including amethyst
and other semi precious stones to make wind chimes.
You can also take a 4 seat passenger bike
tour for US $2.00 for an hour around the areas amidst
the fresh evening breezes.
Stationed next to the town opposite the
Chocolatera hill on the most southern tip of the bay
is the Ecuador military, often you'll see military as
well as private planes flying low above the bay as they
descend to the base. Salinas, is only 25 minutes from
the fine Thermal Baths "San Vicente" where
due to dynamic volcanics boasts rich mineral mud baths
and thermal baths along with massaging and sauna facilities.
Tour operators |
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Important Notice:
If you wish to book in advance through any of
the below listed tour operators in Salinas for
guided tours, water sports, fishing tours, or
any other activity. Direct reservations are available
through our online Travel
Agencies and Tour operators network reservation
form, a BOE specialized agent will direct
your inquiry and search for the best and most
affordable tours and rates!.
The finest whale watching tours
in Ecuador are best viewed from this major beach
resort between June and September. Calypsso
and Barceló hotels organize
professional whale watching, fishing and diving
tours amongst others. All inclusive with
fully equipped luxurious yachts. See accommodation
for complete details.
Other tour operators include:
Guayatur.- Tour operator
and travel agency. Fishing, ocean tours, whale
watching, diving, city tours. Excursions to Olón,
Montañita and Punta Carnero. Sea lions
watching in Punta Brava and other varied tours.
Address: Ave. General Enriquez Gallo and Rumiñahui
street.
Pesca tours.- Fishing charters
and varied tours. In Salinas. All equipment included.
Bazán Family.- Small
boats for rent, tours, banana trips, jet skis
and skiing.
*Reservations in advance through our online
Travel Agencies and Tour operators network reservation
form.
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Transport |
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Bus
Salinas has a small bus terminal
next to the market area, all buses stop by the
second main street (known also as General Enriquez
Gallo), parallel to the Malecón, to pick
up passengers, then some buses stop at Libertad
for about ten minutes to get more passengers.
To and from Guayaquil (US$3.40, 2 1/2
hours approx.) with LIBERPESA from
CLP (recommended), or Costa Azul.
Other buses for other destinations are caught
in La Libertad, or Santa Elena.
Taxi
Besides normal taxis you can arrange
fares with, there is a transport system in Salinas
called Taxi rutas. Taxis rutas takes
you together with other passengers in the same
cab from Salinas (on General Enriquez Gallo
street) all the way to La Libertad and back
for only US$0.40 each way, per person. |
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Shopping |
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Approximately one kilometer along
the main road from Salinas to La Libertad, you'll
find a massive block with the following well known
local chains: Supermaxi (food
supply), Fybeca (drug store)
and TVentas (electronics).
On the same road to La Libertad,
a few kilometers further, you can not miss the
main, modern and brand new "El Paseo
Shopping mall". Here, you'll
find a large selection of fine stores, beauty
saloons, travel agencies, couriers, fast food
restaurants, entertainment, Supercines (Cinemas),
Internet cafes and the largest Hipper market of
this area including the following local chains:
Rio Store, Mi Comisariato,
Ferrisariato and much more...
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Restaurants |
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The market (Not recommended
for foreigners), is the cheapest place for seafood
especially "ceviches" (approximately
US $5,00) and Arroz con pescado, menestra and
patacones (rice with fish, lentils and fried green
banana). It is located by Banco del Pacífico
(1 block from the Malecón). Around and
behind the Market there are several stalls and
restaurants selling typical fixed meals for around
US $1,80.
La Mesa de Capitan.- Outdoor
restaurant with sea creatures figurines on the
side street in front of the beach. This unique
colorful place (US-owned) offers international
and local specialties as well as whale watching
tours and more. Located right at the entrance
of Salinas on the Malecon. Recommended!
Lui e Lei.- Cozy outdoor
restaurant with yellow umbrellas in front of the
beach. The place offers international and local
specialties (seafood, lovely salads and pasta).
Located right in Salinas' Malecon (next to la
Bella Italia restaurant). Recommended!
Amazon.- Pizzas, steaks,
seafood and bar. Located on the Malecón.
Tel. 04-2773671.
Mar y Tierra.- International
food. Address: Malecón and Ave. 7ma (a
bit pricey).
Oystercatcher.- Oysters.
Address: Malecón and 32.
La Bella Italia.- Italian
specialties and International food. Address: Malecón
and Calle 19 (near Hotel El Carruaje).
El Carruaje.- Typical and
sea food specialties. Address: At El Carruaje
Hotel (on the Malecon).
Restaurant-Peña El colonial
.- Typical food. Located next to the museum,
on the Malecón. Tel. 2771949. Live music
on Saturdays.
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Fun |
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Bars
Choclo's.- Choclo, means
"Corn" (nickname of the owner). This
is the best American styled bar with DVD/Music
facilities, great Cocktails and plenty of Ex-Pats
from the U.S.A and Europe frequenting between
Wednesdays and Saturdays and always the best music
and conversation in town. The bar is located on
the main front (close to "Pinguinos").
Cafe Guadua.- Bar-Disco,
Karaoke (Mon-Thu), super Cocktails and occasionally
live music. Address: General Enriquez Gallo (Hotel
Salinas corner).
Monanita.- Formerly "La
Casa Vieja" This is an original rustic old
house converted into a popular Disco-Bar. Address:
Rumiñahui street between Malecón
and General Enriquez Gallo.
Los Helechos.- Drinks, snacks
and pool table. Address: Malecón and Lupercio
Bazán.
Rocka Bar.- Bar-Disco. Address:
Rafael de la Cuadra and General Enriquez Gallo
(corner).
Discos
Terapia.- Varied modern music,
located at hotel Punta Carnero. See under Punta
Carnero.
Club 21.- Varied music, located
at hotel Calypsso.
La Orilla .- Cover US $10,00
per person. Varied music, located next to Cocos
hostel (open in high season only).
West Point- A rustic cabin
disco. Located in Mar Bravo. |
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Museums |
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| Museo Salinas Siglo 21.- Archaeological
exhibits of the Peninsular area. Valdivia
( 4200 a.C), Machalilla (1500 a.C) and Chorrera
(1200 a.C) cultures' exhibits. Address: Malecón
between Guayas and Quil (next to restaurant Colonial).
Tel. 04-2771279. Entrance fee US$2. Open Wednesdays
to Sundays 10:00 till 13:00 and 15:00 till 18:00. |
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General interest |
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Pharmacies
There are several 24 hour small
pharmacies along the Malecon and the Market area.
Fybeca, is the largest one and
is located at the entrance of Salinas.
Money
Most restaurants, hotels, bars,
discos, casinos and shopping centers accept Visa,
Amex, Mastercard and Diners. ATMs are available
at the following banks:
Banco de Guayaquil.- Traveler's
checks, Visa and American Express. Located at
the Malecón.
Banco del Pacífico.-
Traveler's checks and Mastercard. Address: On
the second main street, parallel to the Malecón
(By the market).
Communications
Internet (Rates
between US$1,80 and US$2. per hour)
Café @
Planet.- Cool ambiance and very popular. They
have the fastest connection in town. Address:
Ave. 10ma between Calle 25 and 26. Tel & Fax:
04-2772211.
Cyberm@r.-
Opened Monday to Sunday from 9:30 till 21:00.
Address: Calle 19 and Ave. 2 (behind Cocos Hostel).
Pacifictel.-
Located at Radio Internacional.
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