This coastal city (pop. 141,000) can be used as a base to visit nearby destinations. Esmeraldas itself is, in a word, awful - it's dirty and crime-ridden, rip-offs abound, and there's a serious malaria problem during the rainy season. And while its beach is large, the proximity of a naval harbor fouls the water. Accommodations at the nearby beach resorts of Atacames are very basic (i.e., seawater in the bathrooms), but the beaches are good (more deserted beaches can be found near the tiny island port of Muisne). The Atacames beaches are among the most popular with young travelers, although they are not as attractive as the beaches in the Caribbean. Also, there is a serious crime problem along the beaches - don't walk them alone, even in daylight. 110 mi/180 km northwest of Quito.
Tourist information about another destination in Ecuador