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¿When to visit Esmeraldas?
The climate in the green province means that you can visit at any time of the year. However, try not to miss August, the month in which Esmeraldas celebrates its independence. You’ll be exhilarated by the exuberance that throbs through whole province. The dance and music is contagious and the numerous local delicacies on offer are irresistible.
Religious celebrations also have important role in Esmeraldas life. Highlights of the year include the festival of the Virgin of Santa Rosa de Lima on August 30 in Atacames, while the festival of the Virgin of Carmen in celebrated in Muisne on July 16.
How to get there:
From Quito, Esmeraldas is 30 minutes by airplane or 4 to 5 hours by land on the Calacali–Los Bancos–La Independencia route. From the north of the country, the journey is also 4 to 5 hours along the Ibarra–San Lorenzo road. Alternatively, the province can be reached from any point in the coastal region on the Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas-Quinindé-Esmeraldas route.
What to take
Any visit to the Esmeraldas requires sun protector, sunglasses, insect repellant, swimwear, light and comfortable clothing for the beach, a cap or hat, sandals and appropriate footwear. Be aware that not all operators provide rubber boats for inland activities.
Cómo llegar a la Costa Norte:
A la costa norte de Manabí se puede llegar por vía aérea a través del aeropuerto de Manta en vuelos de 30 minutos desde Quito y 20 minutos desde Guayaquil. Por tierra, tomará unas 4 horas desde Guayaquil a Bahía de Caráquez y no menos de 6 o 7 horas desde Quito por las vías Alóag-Santo Domingo o Calacaclí-Los Bancos. También hay vuelos desde Quito al pequeño aeropuerto “Los Perales” de San Vicente, justo en frente de Bahía de Caráquez, al otro costado del río Chone.
THE NORTH COAST OF MANABI:
The south of Esmeraldas borders on the extensive and rich province of Manabí. From the historic town of Bahía de Caráquez, on the mouth of the River Chone on the Pacific coast, to Cojimines in the far north of the province bordering Esmeraldas, Manabí is a series of beaches and fishing villages. Visitors will be awed by the spectacular and pristine beaches, bordered by the lush green vegetation that almost reaches the water’s edge, the columns of coconut trees and the sensation of being in a paradise where the unspoiled marine and coastal life prevails in all its splendor. The climate is similar to Esmeraldas, except that further south both the air and sea temperatures may be as much as 5o C cooler in the months of May to November, with greater cloud cover and wind.
