Salinas, Guayas

Salinas is a city located in Guayas, Ecuador, by the Pacific Ocean. It is the seat of Salinas Canton, the westernmost canton in Ecuador.

At the 2001 census there were 49,752 people living within canton limits. The city is an important touristic center.

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.

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.