Atacames is a city in the Pacific cost of Ecuador in the south east from Esmeraldas city. It is a typical Afro-Ecuadorian town with hot Caribbean rhythms, fish specialties, its cheerful inhabitants, a large beach of 5 km, possibilities for land and water trips, and surfing.
Get in
By bus
There are direct buses from Transportes Esmeraldas, Panamericana and Occidental leaving to Quito (Terminal Carcelen, 7hr, $10) and Guayaquil every day, around 7 - 8 hours. Transesmeraldas also has buses to Cuenca, Machala, Huaquillas, Portoviejo and Manta. AeroTaxi even has buses to Ibarra and Otavalo.
By plane
There are flights from Quito and Cali to Esmeraldas (ESM IATA). From the small airport you take a cab and arrives in 30 - 40 min. to Atacames.
By car
Good roads allow easy access by car, about 4-5 hours from Quito by car. Some prefer the way via Los Bancos, others via Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas.
Get around
To the south there is Súa, a little fisher village. An unmaintained path that starts at the soccer field connects Atacames and Súa and passes by a lighthouse that it is not used anymore. Another 5 minutes away Same, a hotel resort village. Be aware that these small villages are totally empty beside high season in July and August. No joke, Same at June is like a ghost city in a bad Hollywood movie but they make for good day trips.
See
- Museo y Acuario Marino, east on the beach. 1$ Small museum with a few aquariums. Nice, but seen in 10 minutes.
Do
- Fishing with locals, Rest. Le Allemann (Est on the beachsite). or at the Hostal Chill Inn 25$ (May 11) 3 hour trip with a loacal fisherboat. Ask for more information at the Restaurant.
Buy
Eat
There are a lot of restaurants, but no varierity at all. So enjoy your ceviche or your pizza.
- Mama Mia Pizzeria. 12$ for a Pizza. One of the few Pizzerias on the main beach road with good pizzas and pastas..
Drink
There are a lot of kiosks and bars on the beach, and a lot of discos in front of it
Sleep
Be careful when choosing a hotel - thefts are common. Travellers have reported money stolen out of their room, and police say they hear this type of stories often.
Budget
Mid-range
- Arco Iris, Arco Iris Resort, Los Delfines y Malecón de la Playa, ☏ 593 92-941-017, ✉[email protected]. 40$ (May 11) ground floor, kitchen, air conditioning, without balcony, 50$ higher floor, balcony, air conditioning, sea view, 60$ (May 11) higher floor, kitchen, balcony, air conditioning, sea view. Breakfast is not included.
- Costa Paraiso Hotel, Malecón del Mar (Malecón de la playa entre coral negro y delfines), ☏ 593 6 2-760-848, 593 6 2760-178, ✉[email protected]. Big swimming pool, nice for families. 60$ (May 11) double room, sea view, air conditioning. Breakfast included.
- Hostal Juan Sebastian, Esmeralda Malecon de Atacamas, ☏ 593 6 2731-606, ✉[email protected]. 70$ (May 11) double room, air conditioning, without seaview.
- Hotel Thaiti, Malecon La Playa (frente al Museo Acuatico), ☏ 593 6 2731-078, 593 6 2760-085. 60$ (May 11) double room, venti, sea view. 28$ (May 11) Bungalow. Breakfast not included.
- Le Castell, Malecon, ☏ 593 6 273-1476, ✉[email protected]. 40$ (May 11) private bathroom, no Sea view, Bungalows behind other Buildings.
- La Marimba (On the west end of the beach. ca. 5 min walk to the city.), ☏ 593 6 2731321. 60$ double room, balcony, sea view. One of the best hotel in town. A little bit outside, therefore wery quite. With two big swimmingpools, big garden and own beach. Good for families too..
Splurge
- El Marques, Malecón de la playa y Los Crotos, ☏ 593 6 273 1172, ✉[email protected]. 80$ (May 11) double room, no balcony, no sea view. 140$ suite with balcony and sea view. This is the most luxurious hotel in the center of Atacames.