CityOutline guide

Atacames

Town in Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Photo: Saraedum, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

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.

Sights and activities

From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.

Museo y Acuario Marino
See
Price
$1 Small museum with a few aquariums. Nice, but seen in 10 minutes
Details
Fishing with locals
Do
or at the Hostal Chill Inn
Price
$25 (May 11) 3 hour trip with a loacal fisherboat. Ask for more information at the Restaurant
Details

Where to eat, drink and stay

Eat1 place

Mama Mia Pizzeria$12 for a Pizza. One of the few Pizzerias on the main beach road with good pizzas and pastas.
Price
$12 for a Pizza. One of the few Pizzerias on the main beach road with good pizzas and pastas.

Sleep7 places

Mid-range

Arco Iris$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
Price
$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
Address
Arco Iris Resort, Los Delfines y Malecón de la Playa
Phone
+593 92-941-017
Website
arcoirisatacames.com
Costa Paraiso Hotel$60 (May 11) double room, sea view, air conditioning. Breakfast included
Big swimming pool, nice for families.
Price
$60 (May 11) double room, sea view, air conditioning. Breakfast included
Address
Malecón del Mar
Directions
Malecón de la playa entre coral negro y delfines
Phone
+593 6 2-760-848, +593 6 2760-178
Website
hotelcostaparaiso.com
Hostal Juan Sebastian$70 (May 11) double room, air conditioning, without seaview
Price
$70 (May 11) double room, air conditioning, without seaview
Address
Esmeralda Malecon de Atacamas
Phone
+593 6 2731-606
Website
hoteljuansebastian.com
Hotel Thaiti$60 (May 11) double room, venti, sea view. $28 (May 11) Bungalow. Breakfast not included
Price
$60 (May 11) double room, venti, sea view. $28 (May 11) Bungalow. Breakfast not included
Address
Malecon La Playa
Directions
frente al Museo Acuatico
Phone
+593 6 2731-078, +593 6 2760-085
Le Castell$40 (May 11) private bathroom, no Sea view, Bungalows behind other Buildings
Price
$40 (May 11) private bathroom, no Sea view, Bungalows behind other Buildings
Address
Malecon
Phone
+593 6 273-1476
Website
guimun.com

Show all 7

Mid-range

La Marimba$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.
Price
$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.
Directions
On the west end of the beach. ca. 5 min walk to the city.
Phone
+593 6 2731321

Splurge

El Marques$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
Price
$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
Address
Malecón de la playa y Los Crotos
Phone
+593 6 273 1172
Website
elmarqueshotel.com

Getting there and around

Getting there

By plane
There are flights from Quito and Cali to Esmeraldas (ESM). 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.

Read in the guide

Getting 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.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Carlos Concha Torres International Airport

Tachina · International · ESM

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Read before you go to Atacames

Articles and travel topics about Atacames and Ecuador.

Travel tips

Haciendas of Ecuador

Ecuador has historical and renovated haciendas or traditional ranches. Haciendas often cover large areas of land and incorporate agricultural operations and other businesses.

Wikivoyage

Nature & adventure

Ecuador national parks

Ecuador has 11 national parks and other types of reserves protecting an area of 26 million hectares (almost 20% of the country's total territory). The parks include some of Ecuador's most spectacular natural wonders.

Wikivoyage

Nature & adventure

Galapagos wildlife

The wildlife is the prime reason for visiting the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. The logistics of travelling to and around the islands as well as information on the islands is given in the Galapagos Islands article…

Wikivoyage

Itineraries

Quilotoa Loop

The Quilotoa Loop is a challenging 3-to-5-day hike in Ecuador that takes you through high Andean villages and past Laguna Quilotoa, a crater lake surrounded by volcanic peaks.

Wikivoyage

Full travel guide

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Get inThere are direct buses from Transportes Esmeraldas, Panamericana and Occidental leaving to Quito (Terminal Carcelen, 7hr, $10) and Guayaquil every day, around 7 - 8 hours.

Get aroundTo 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.

EatThere are a lot of restaurants, but no varierity at all. So enjoy your ceviche or your pizza.

DrinkThere are a lot of kiosks and bars on the beach, and a lot of discos in front of it

SleepBe 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.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Atacames" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Atacames", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Saraedum, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Atacames" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Summary from the Wikipedia article "Atacames", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia

Photo: Saraedum, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage

Overview

Sights and activities

Museo y Acuario Marino

Fishing with locals