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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.5); margin-bottom:12px;">[[Main Page|EcuaWiki]] › Portals › The Peninsula</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.45); margin-bottom:12px;">The Living Guide to the Peninsula and Ruta del Spondylus</div>


<div style="font-size:2.4em; font-weight:bold; line-height:1.1; margin-bottom:10px;">The Santa Elena <span style="font-style:italic; font-weight:normal; color:#7dd3f0;">Peninsula</span></div>
<div style="font-size:2.9em; font-weight:bold; line-height:1.05; margin-bottom:14px; letter-spacing:-0.5px;">ECUA<span style="color:#7dd3f0;">WIKI</span></div>


<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.95em; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.72); max-width:600px; margin-bottom:24px; line-height:1.6;">The westernmost point of mainland Ecuador — where the Pacific shapes eight thousand years of human history, three cities, and dozens of fishing communities unlike anywhere else in South America.</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:1em; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.72); max-width:620px; line-height:1.7;">A community-run guide to the Santa Elena coast of Ecuador — written by residents, for residents and visitors alike. Choose where you want to go.</div>
 
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<div style="font-size:1.6em; font-weight:bold; color:#7dd3f0; line-height:1;">200K+</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:1.5px; text-transform:uppercase; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.45); margin-top:2px;">Residents</div>
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<div style="font-size:1.6em; font-weight:bold; color:#7dd3f0; line-height:1;">3</div>
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<div style="font-size:1.6em; font-weight:bold; color:#7dd3f0; line-height:1;">1911</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:1.5px; text-transform:uppercase; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.45); margin-top:2px;">First oil well</div>
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; color:#0093c4; margin-bottom:6px;">Portal</div>
<div style="font-size:1.35em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.2;">[[Portal:Peninsula|The Peninsula]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.88em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.65; margin-bottom:20px;">The westernmost point of mainland Ecuador. Three cities, dozens of fishing villages, eight thousand years of human history, and the most diverse stretch of Pacific coast in the country.</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.82em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:2; margin-bottom:22px;">Salinas · La Libertad · Santa Elena<br/>Ballenita · Ancón · Anconcito<br/>Punta Blanca · Baños de San Vicente</div>


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<div style="font-style:italic; font-size:1.08em; color:#005f8a; line-height:1.55; margin-bottom:18px; padding-left:16px; border-left:3px solid #0093c4;">"A compact strip of Pacific coast with some of the most diverse beach conditions, archaeology, and marine life in South America."</div>
<span style="background:#003d5c; color:#ffffff; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.85em; font-weight:bold; padding:8px 18px; border-radius:3px; display:inline-block;">[[Portal:Peninsula|Explore the Peninsula →]]</span>
 
The '''Santa Elena Peninsula''' is Ecuador's westernmost continental point — bounded by the Gulf of Guayaquil to the south and Santa Elena Bay to the north. Its three cantons — [[Salinas]], [[La Libertad]], and [[Santa Elena (City)|Santa Elena]] — form a continuous urban conurbation that fades outward into fishing hamlets, salt flats, and cliff-edged headlands.
 
This is not a homogeneous coast. Salinas is Ecuador's premier beach resort, loud with jet-skis and night markets in high season. Fifteen minutes east, La Libertad is workaday and commercial — its Terminal Pesquero one of the most active fishing ports in the country. And inland, the provincial capital Santa Elena guards the '''[[Amantes de Sumpa]]''', the 8,000-year-old lovers who are among the oldest human remains in the Americas.
 
Beyond the conurbation, the peninsula turns quieter: [[Ancón]] preserves British company-town architecture and Ecuador's first oil well. [[Anconcito]] hauls in langosta by dawn light. [[Ballenita]] offers one of the coast's best whale-watching perches from June to September. And [[Punta Blanca]] stretches its white-cliff beach in near-total peace.
 
 
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<span style="font-size:1.25em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; white-space:nowrap;">The Three Cantons</span>
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.85em; color:#7a7a7a; margin-bottom:14px;">Politically separated but physically merged — each with its own character, economy, and reason to be here.</div>
 
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:1.5px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; color:#0093c4; margin-bottom:3px;">Tourism Capital</div>
<div style="font-size:1.1em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:7px;">[[Salinas]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.82em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.55;">Ecuador's most famous beach resort. The malecón hums year-round; La Chocolatera merges two ocean currents before your eyes. Best whale watching June–September.</div>
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<span style="font-size:0.82em; font-weight:bold; color:#005f8a;">La Chocolatera</span>
<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:9px; letter-spacing:1px; text-transform:uppercase; color:#9a9a9a; display:block;">Must see</span>
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:1.5px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:3px;">Commercial Heart</div>
<div style="font-size:1.1em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:7px;">[[La Libertad]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.82em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.55;">The peninsula's largest city. Active fishing port, oil refinery, the main bus terminal, and the freshest seafood market — without a tourist scene to complicate things.</div>
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<span style="font-size:0.82em; font-weight:bold; color:#005f8a;">Terminal Pesquero</span>
<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:9px; letter-spacing:1px; text-transform:uppercase; color:#9a9a9a; display:block;">Dawn experience</span>
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:1.5px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; color:#1d6b40; margin-bottom:3px;">Provincial Capital</div>
<div style="font-size:1.1em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:7px;">[[Santa Elena (City)|Santa Elena]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.82em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.55;">Home to UPSE university and the Amantes de Sumpa museum. The region's civic and archaeological center — origin of Las Vegas culture, the first in Ecuador.</div>
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<span style="font-size:0.82em; font-weight:bold; color:#005f8a;">Amantes de Sumpa</span>
<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:9px; letter-spacing:1px; text-transform:uppercase; color:#9a9a9a; display:block;">Free museum</span>
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; color:#0093c4; margin-bottom:6px;">Portal</div>
<div style="font-size:1.35em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.2;">[[Portal:Ruta del Spondylus|Ruta del Spondylus]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.88em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.65; margin-bottom:20px;">The coastal highway north of the peninsula. A chain of surf towns, fishing coves, cloud-forest headlands, and some of the most beautiful beaches in Ecuador, running toward Manabí.</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.82em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:2; margin-bottom:22px;">Ayangue · Manglaralto · Montañita<br/>Olón · Curia · San José · Ayampe<br/>La Rinconada · Las Tunas</div>


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<span style="background:#0093c4; color:#ffffff; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.85em; font-weight:bold; padding:8px 18px; border-radius:3px; display:inline-block;">[[Portal:Ruta del Spondylus|Explore the Route →]]</span>
<span style="font-size:1.25em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; white-space:nowrap;">Coastal Parishes &amp; Villages</span>
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<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.95em; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:3px;">[[Ballenita]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.78em; color:#8a8a8a;">Whale viewpoints · Farallón Dillon · Surf</div>
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<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.95em; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:3px;">[[Ancón]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.78em; color:#8a8a8a;">First oil well · British architecture · Cliffs</div>
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<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.95em; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:3px;">[[Anconcito]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.78em; color:#8a8a8a;">Fishing capital · Langosta · Bitumen cliffs</div>
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<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.95em; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:3px;">[[Punta Blanca]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.78em; color:#8a8a8a;">White cliffs · 3.7 km beach · Family-friendly</div>
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<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.95em; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:3px;">[[Baños de San Vicente]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.78em; color:#8a8a8a;">Thermal springs · Mud volcano · Interior</div>
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<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.95em; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:3px;">[[Chanduy]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.78em; color:#8a8a8a;">Salt flats · Flamingos · Traditional fishing</div>
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<div style="font-size:1.1em; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom:6px;">From the Peninsula to Manabí</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.88em; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.75); line-height:1.55; margin-bottom:14px;">North of Salinas, the [[Portal:Ruta del Spondylus|Ruta del Spondylus]] (E-15) runs through [[Ayangue]], [[Manglaralto]], [[Montañita]], [[Olón]], and beyond — surf towns, fishing coves, and cloud-forest headlands. The peninsula is the departure point, not the destination.</div>
'''[[Portal:Ruta del Spondylus|→ Ruta del Spondylus guide]]''' &nbsp;·&nbsp; [[Beaches|Beaches]] &nbsp;·&nbsp; [[Understanding Public Transportation in La Peninsula|Getting around]]
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<span style="font-size:1.25em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; white-space:nowrap;">Geography &amp; Climate</span>
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<div style="font-weight:bold; color:#8b6344; margin-bottom:5px;">Physical Setting</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.86em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.6;">The peninsula is the northernmost extension of the West Coast desert system. Bounded south by the Gulf of Guayaquil and north by Santa Elena Bay — an arid plateau with dramatic Pacific cliffs on the outer edge.</div>
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<div style="font-weight:bold; color:#8b6344; margin-bottom:5px;">Ocean Currents</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.86em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.6;">Two currents converge at La Chocolatera: the cold Humboldt Current keeps water clear and nutrient-rich; the warmer equatorial current keeps swimming comfortable on the northern shore year-round.</div>
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<div style="font-weight:bold; color:#8b6344; margin-bottom:5px;">High Season (Dec–May)</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.86em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.6;">Beach season. Salinas at capacity. Warm water, calm surf on the bay side. Book accommodation early; prices roughly double January to February.</div>
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<div style="font-weight:bold; color:#8b6344; margin-bottom:5px;">Low Season (Jun–Nov)</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.86em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.6;">Cooler, windier, fewer tourists, lower prices. Prime [[Whale Watching Season|whale-watching season]] — humpbacks arrive in June and are visible through September from Salinas, Ballenita, and Anconcito.</div>
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<span style="font-size:1.25em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; white-space:nowrap;">History in Brief</span>
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.75em; font-weight:bold; color:#0093c4; letter-spacing:1px; text-transform:uppercase; margin-bottom:2px;">6800 BC</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.88em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.55;">'''[[Las Vegas culture]]''' — the first documented human settlement in Ecuador — flourishes on the peninsula. The Sumpa cemetery contains 200 burials, including the [[Amantes de Sumpa]]: a couple buried facing each other in an 8,000-year embrace.</div>
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.75em; font-weight:bold; color:#0093c4; letter-spacing:1px; text-transform:uppercase; margin-bottom:2px;">Pre-contact</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.88em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.55;">'''Valdivia, Machalilla, and Chorrera cultures''' succeed Las Vegas. The Spondylus shell becomes a sacred trade item, giving name to the modern [[Portal:Ruta del Spondylus|Ruta del Spondylus]] that follows these ancient exchange routes.</div>
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.75em; font-weight:bold; color:#0093c4; letter-spacing:1px; text-transform:uppercase; margin-bottom:2px;">1911</div>
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.88em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.55;">'''[[Ancón]] 1''' — Ecuador's first commercial oil well — is drilled by the Anglo-Ecuadorian Oil Company. British engineers build a company town whose architecture still stands today, a designated heritage geosite.</div>
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<div style="font-size:2em; margin-bottom:12px;">📋</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; color:#1d6b40; margin-bottom:6px;">Portal</div>
<div style="font-size:1.35em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:10px; line-height:1.2;">[[Portal:How-to Guides|How-to Guides]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.88em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.65; margin-bottom:20px;">The paperwork, the systems, and the things nobody explains to you when you arrive. Visas, cédulas, banking, internet, medical services — written by people who figured it out the hard way.</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.82em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:2; margin-bottom:22px;">Visas · Cédulas · Residency<br/>Banking · Medical Services<br/>Internet · Taxis · Couriers</div>


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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.75em; font-weight:bold; color:#0093c4; letter-spacing:1px; text-transform:uppercase; margin-bottom:2px;">1977</div>
<span style="background:#1d6b40; color:#ffffff; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.85em; font-weight:bold; padding:8px 18px; border-radius:3px; display:inline-block;">[[Portal:How-to Guides|Open the Guides →]]</span>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.88em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.55;">Karen Stothert's excavations at Sumpa uncover the pre-ceramic cemetery, establishing it as the most meticulously documented archaeological site in Ecuador.</div>
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.75em; font-weight:bold; color:#0093c4; letter-spacing:1px; text-transform:uppercase; margin-bottom:2px;">2007</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.88em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.55;">'''Santa Elena Province''' is created, separating from Guayas. The three cantons gain their own provincial administration for the first time.</div>
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<!-- ── NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ── -->
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<span style="font-size:1.25em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; white-space:nowrap;">Natural Environment</span>
<span style="flex:1; height:1px; background:#d0dce8; display:block;"></span>
</div>
{| style="width:100%; border-collapse:separate; border-spacing:8px;"
|-
| style="width:33%; border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:14px; vertical-align:top; background:#ffffff;" |
<div style="font-size:20px; margin-bottom:6px;">🐋</div>
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.88em; color:#1d6b40; margin-bottom:3px;">Humpback Whales</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.8em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.5;">June–September offshore. Best from Ballenita's Mirador Caracol or Salinas boat tours.</div>
| style="width:33%; border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:14px; vertical-align:top; background:#ffffff;" |
<div style="font-size:20px; margin-bottom:6px;">🦭</div>
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.88em; color:#1d6b40; margin-bottom:3px;">Sea Lions</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.8em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.5;">Year-round colony at La Lobería, Salinas. The Humboldt Current keeps fish stocks rich enough to sustain a permanent group.</div>
| style="width:33%; border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:14px; vertical-align:top; background:#ffffff;" |
<div style="font-size:20px; margin-bottom:6px;">🦩</div>
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.88em; color:#1d6b40; margin-bottom:3px;">Flamingo Salt Flats</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.8em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.5;">Seasonal colonies near Chanduy. Best birdwatching early morning in low season.</div>
|-
| style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:14px; vertical-align:top; background:#ffffff;" |
<div style="font-size:20px; margin-bottom:6px;">🌿</div>
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.88em; color:#1d6b40; margin-bottom:3px;">Tropical Dry Forest</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.8em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.5;">Ancón's interior preserves a rare dry forest remnant with endemic and migratory birds.</div>
| style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:14px; vertical-align:top; background:#ffffff;" |
<div style="font-size:20px; margin-bottom:6px;">🐠</div>
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.88em; color:#1d6b40; margin-bottom:3px;">Marine Reserves</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.8em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.5;">Reefs near Anconcito support dive sites. Punta Blanca sees seasonal manta ray aggregations.</div>
| style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:14px; vertical-align:top; background:#ffffff;" |
<div style="font-size:20px; margin-bottom:6px;">🫧</div>
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.88em; color:#1d6b40; margin-bottom:3px;">Bitumen Seeps</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.8em; color:#6a6a6a; line-height:1.5;">Natural oil seeps on the Anconcito cliffs, predating Ecuador's oil industry by millennia. Accessible at low tide.</div>
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<!-- ── OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ── -->
<!-- ══════════════════════════════════════
<div style="display:flex; align-items:center; gap:12px; margin:32px 0 14px;">
    FOOTER
<span style="font-size:1.25em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; white-space:nowrap;">Outdoor Activities</span>
══════════════════════════════════════ -->
<span style="flex:1; height:1px; background:#d0dce8; display:block;"></span>
<div style="margin-top:32px; padding-top:18px; border-top:1px solid #d0dce8; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.81em; color:#8a8a8a; line-height:1.7; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:8px;">
<div>'''EcuaWiki''' — Founded and maintained by [[User:Stephan Kleeblatt|Stephan Kleeblatt]]. Community-contributed · Free · Ad-free · [[Special:RecentChanges|Active]].</div>
<div>[[Wiki Guidelines|Contribute]] · [[Help:Formatting|How to edit]] · [[How to Donate|Donate]]</div>
</div>
</div>


<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.85em; color:#7a7a7a; margin-bottom:16px; line-height:1.55;">Each activity links to its own page with spots, conditions, access, difficulty, and local operators.</div>
[[Category:Main Page]]
 
<!-- Water -->
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.9em; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:8px; padding-bottom:5px; border-bottom:2px solid #0093c4;">🌊 Water</div>
{| style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.87em; margin-bottom:20px;"
! style="text-align:left; padding:5px 10px 5px 0; color:#7a7a7a; font-weight:normal; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; width:30%;" | Activity
! style="text-align:left; padding:5px 0; color:#7a7a7a; font-weight:normal; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5;" | Where on the peninsula
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Surfing (La Peninsula)|Surfing]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Chulluype (Ballenita), Punta Blanca Espigón break, Mar Bravo — best Dec–Apr
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Swimming (La Peninsula)|Swimming]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Salinas beach and Chipipe — calm bay water year-round. Avoid Punta Carnero.
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Snorkeling (La Peninsula)|Snorkeling]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Rocky reefs near Anconcito, around Farallón Dillon off Ballenita
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Scuba Diving (La Peninsula)|Scuba Diving]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Anconcito offshore reefs, Farallón Dillon — operators based in Salinas
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Kayaking (La Peninsula)|Kayaking]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Salinas bay, calm mornings — rentals on the malecón
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Kitesurfing (La Peninsula)|Kitesurfing]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Salinas bay — consistent afternoon wind, flat water on the bay side
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Sailing (La Peninsula)|Sailing]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Salinas Bay — yacht club and charter operators on the malecón
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Whale Watching (La Peninsula)|Whale Watching]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Mirador Caracol (Ballenita), Anconcito cliffs, boat tours from Salinas — Jun–Sep only
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Fishing (La Peninsula)|Fishing]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Shore fishing anywhere on the coast; boat fishing from Anconcito and La Libertad port
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Deep Sea Fishing (La Peninsula)|Deep Sea Fishing]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Charter boats from Salinas malecón — marlin, dorado, tuna offshore
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Stand-Up Paddleboarding (La Peninsula)|Stand-Up Paddleboarding]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Salinas bay, calm mornings before the wind picks up
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Windsurfing (La Peninsula)|Windsurfing]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Salinas bay — same conditions as kitesurfing, less crowded
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Bodyboarding (La Peninsula)|Bodyboarding]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Chulluype, Punta Blanca — same breaks as surfing, smaller commitment
|}
 
<!-- Land -->
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.9em; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:8px; padding-bottom:5px; border-bottom:2px solid #0093c4;">🏃 Land</div>
{| style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.87em; margin-bottom:20px;"
! style="text-align:left; padding:5px 10px 5px 0; color:#7a7a7a; font-weight:normal; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; width:30%;" | Activity
! style="text-align:left; padding:5px 0; color:#7a7a7a; font-weight:normal; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5;" | Where on the peninsula
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Running (La Peninsula)|Running]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Salinas malecón (4 km flat), coastal road Salinas–La Libertad, Ancón cliff paths
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Cycling (La Peninsula)|Cycling]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Coastal road between Salinas and La Libertad, malecón — best before 8am
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Hiking (La Peninsula)|Hiking]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Ancón cliffs and dry forest trails, Punta Carnero headland path
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Horseback Riding (La Peninsula)|Horseback Riding]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Punta Blanca beach at low tide, outskirts of Santa Elena canton
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Beach Volleyball (La Peninsula)|Beach Volleyball]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Salinas malecón — permanent nets, pickup games most evenings in high season
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Football / Soccer (La Peninsula)|Football / Soccer]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Every town has a pitch — La Libertad and Santa Elena have the largest
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Yoga (La Peninsula)|Yoga]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Studios in Salinas, occasional beach sessions on the malecón
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Skateboarding (La Peninsula)|Skateboarding]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | La Libertad malecón, Salinas seafront — smooth pavement, flat
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Kite Flying (La Peninsula)|Kite Flying]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Any open beach — afternoon wind on the bay side is reliable Jun–Nov
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Slacklining (La Peninsula)|Slacklining]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Salinas beach — trees near the malecón, bring your own line
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Inline Skating (La Peninsula)|Inline Skating]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Salinas malecón — best stretch of flat pavement on the peninsula
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Walking the Dog (La Peninsula)|Walking the Dog]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Early morning on any beach before vendors arrive — Chipipe is quietest
|}
 
<!-- Nature & Other -->
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.9em; color:#003d5c; margin-bottom:8px; padding-bottom:5px; border-bottom:2px solid #0093c4;">🌿 Nature &amp; Other</div>
{| style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.87em; margin-bottom:20px;"
! style="text-align:left; padding:5px 10px 5px 0; color:#7a7a7a; font-weight:normal; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; width:30%;" | Activity
! style="text-align:left; padding:5px 0; color:#7a7a7a; font-weight:normal; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5;" | Where on the peninsula
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Birdwatching (La Peninsula)|Birdwatching]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Ancón dry forest (endemic & migratory), Chanduy salt flats (flamingos Jun–Nov), Farallón Dillon (seabirds)
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Paragliding (La Peninsula)|Paragliding]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Ancón cliffs — thermals off the headland, operators based in Salinas
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Whale Watching (La Peninsula)|Whale Watching]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Mirador Caracol (Ballenita), Anconcito cliffs, boat tours from Salinas — Jun–Sep only
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Tide Pool Exploring (La Peninsula)|Tide Pool Exploring]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Anconcito bitumen cliffs and Punta Carnero rocks at low tide
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Fossil Hunting (La Peninsula)|Fossil Hunting]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Anconcito bitumen cliffs — marine fossils in sedimentary layers, low tide access
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Stargazing (La Peninsula)|Stargazing]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | West end of Salinas, Punta Blanca, Ancón cliffs — faces open ocean, minimal light pollution
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Photography (La Peninsula)|Photography]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Anconcito port at dawn, Ancón British-era architecture, Chanduy flamingos, Farallón Dillon
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Rock Climbing (La Peninsula)|Rock Climbing]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Ancón cliff faces — natural routes, no established bolted lines, bring your own gear
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Camping (La Peninsula)|Camping]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Punta Blanca — informal beach camping, no facilities
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Geocaching (La Peninsula)|Geocaching]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Active caches around Salinas and La Libertad — check geocaching.com for current listings
|-
| style="padding:7px 10px 7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; vertical-align:top;" | [[Sandboarding (La Peninsula)|Sandboarding]]
| style="padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #f0f4f8; color:#4a4a4a; vertical-align:top;" | Dune areas near Chanduy — ask locally for current accessible spots
|}
 
 
<!-- ── PRACTICAL LINKS ── -->
<div style="display:flex; align-items:center; gap:12px; margin:32px 0 14px;">
<span style="font-size:1.25em; font-weight:bold; color:#003d5c; white-space:nowrap;">Living &amp; Getting Around</span>
<span style="flex:1; height:1px; background:#d0dce8; display:block;"></span>
</div>
 
{| style="width:100%; border-collapse:separate; border-spacing:8px;"
|-
| style="width:50%; border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:10px 12px; vertical-align:middle; background:#ffffff;" |
<span style="font-size:17px; margin-right:8px;">🚍</span>'''[[Understanding Public Transportation in La Peninsula|Public Transportation]]'''
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.76em; color:#8a8a8a; margin-top:1px; margin-left:25px;">Routes, fares, Terminal Sumpa</div>
| style="width:50%; border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:10px 12px; vertical-align:middle; background:#ffffff;" |
<span style="font-size:17px; margin-right:8px;">🚕</span>'''[[Taxis and Taxi Apps|Taxis &amp; Apps]]'''
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.76em; color:#8a8a8a; margin-top:1px; margin-left:25px;">Fair prices, which apps work</div>
|-
| style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:10px 12px; vertical-align:middle; background:#ffffff;" |
<span style="font-size:17px; margin-right:8px;">🏦</span>'''[[ATM & Banking|Banking &amp; ATMs]]'''
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.76em; color:#8a8a8a; margin-top:1px; margin-left:25px;">Which machines work, cash tips</div>
| style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:10px 12px; vertical-align:middle; background:#ffffff;" |
<span style="font-size:17px; margin-right:8px;">🏥</span>'''[[Medical Services]]'''
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.76em; color:#8a8a8a; margin-top:1px; margin-left:25px;">Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies</div>
|-
| style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:10px 12px; vertical-align:middle; background:#ffffff;" |
<span style="font-size:17px; margin-right:8px;">📋</span>'''[[Cédulas|Cédulas &amp; Residency]]'''
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.76em; color:#8a8a8a; margin-top:1px; margin-left:25px;">Paperwork explained step by step</div>
| style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:10px 12px; vertical-align:middle; background:#ffffff;" |
<span style="font-size:17px; margin-right:8px;">🌐</span>'''[[Internet Service Providers|Internet &amp; WiFi]]'''
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.76em; color:#8a8a8a; margin-top:1px; margin-left:25px;">ISPs, hotspots, mobile data</div>
|-
| style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:10px 12px; vertical-align:middle; background:#ffffff;" |
<span style="font-size:17px; margin-right:8px;">🛒</span>'''[[Supermarkets]]'''
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.76em; color:#8a8a8a; margin-top:1px; margin-left:25px;">Where to find imports</div>
| style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; padding:10px 12px; vertical-align:middle; background:#ffffff;" |
<span style="font-size:17px; margin-right:8px;">🍽️</span>'''[[Restaurant Directory La Peninsula|Restaurants]]'''
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.76em; color:#8a8a8a; margin-top:1px; margin-left:25px;">Community-reviewed listings</div>
|}
 
 
| style="width:34%; vertical-align:top; padding-left:0;" |
 
 
<!-- ── SIDEBAR: AT A GLANCE ── -->
<div style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; overflow:hidden; margin-bottom:16px;">
<div style="background:#005f8a; color:#ffffff; padding:9px 14px; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold;">At a Glance</div>
<div style="padding:12px 14px;">
{| style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.86em;"
|-
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; font-weight:bold; color:#1a1a1a; width:45%; padding-right:8px;" | Province
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; color:#4a4a4a;" | Santa Elena
|-
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; font-weight:bold; color:#1a1a1a; padding-right:8px;" | Cantons
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; color:#4a4a4a;" | Salinas, La Libertad, Santa Elena
|-
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; font-weight:bold; color:#1a1a1a; padding-right:8px;" | Population
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; color:#4a4a4a;" | ~205,000
|-
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; font-weight:bold; color:#1a1a1a; padding-right:8px;" | Coastline
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; color:#4a4a4a;" | ~75 km perimeter
|-
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; font-weight:bold; color:#1a1a1a; padding-right:8px;" | Nearest city
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; color:#4a4a4a;" | Guayaquil (~2 hr)
|-
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; font-weight:bold; color:#1a1a1a; padding-right:8px;" | Currency
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; color:#4a4a4a;" | US Dollar (USD)
|-
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; font-weight:bold; color:#1a1a1a; padding-right:8px;" | Time zone
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; color:#4a4a4a;" | ECT (UTC−5)
|-
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; font-weight:bold; color:#1a1a1a; padding-right:8px;" | Languages
| style="padding:5px 0; border-top:1px solid #e8eef5; color:#4a4a4a;" | Spanish · English in Salinas
|}
</div>
</div>
 
 
<!-- ── SIDEBAR: SEASONAL ── -->
<div style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; overflow:hidden; margin-bottom:16px;">
<div style="background:#005f8a; color:#ffffff; padding:9px 14px; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold;">Seasonal Guide</div>
<div style="padding:12px 14px;">
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.84em;">
<span style="font-weight:bold; color:#005f8a; min-width:64px; flex-shrink:0;">Dec–May</span>
<span style="color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.4;">High beach season. Best swimming. [[Carnival en Salinas|Carnival]] in February.</span>
</div>
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.84em;">
<span style="font-weight:bold; color:#005f8a; min-width:64px; flex-shrink:0;">Jun–Sep</span>
<span style="color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.4;">[[Whale Watching Season|Humpback whales]] offshore. Cooler, fewer crowds, lower prices.</span>
</div>
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.84em;">
<span style="font-weight:bold; color:#005f8a; min-width:64px; flex-shrink:0;">Oct 7</span>
<span style="color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.4;">[[Santa Elena Provincialization Day]] — the province's biggest civic holiday.</span>
</div>
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:7px 0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.84em;">
<span style="font-weight:bold; color:#005f8a; min-width:64px; flex-shrink:0;">Dec 22</span>
<span style="color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.4;">[[Cantonización de Salinas]] — week of festivities &amp; aquatic races.</span>
</div>
 
</div>
</div>
 
 
<!-- ── SIDEBAR: EMERGENCY ── -->
<div style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; overflow:hidden; margin-bottom:16px;">
<div style="background:#7a0000; color:#ffffff; padding:9px 14px; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold;">🚑 Emergency Numbers</div>
<div style="padding:12px 14px;">
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:1.05em; font-weight:bold; color:#7a0000; margin-bottom:10px;">General Emergency: 911</div>
* [[Hospitals & Clinics|Hospitals &amp; Clinics]]
* [[Police & Security|Police &amp; Security]]
* [[Pharmacies on Duty|Pharmacies on duty]]
* [[Emergency Contacts|Full directory]]
</div>
</div>
 
 
<!-- ── SIDEBAR: BEST BY SEASON ── -->
<div style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; overflow:hidden; margin-bottom:16px;">
<div style="background:#005f8a; color:#ffffff; padding:9px 14px; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold;">🗓️ Best by Season</div>
<div style="padding:12px 14px;">
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.84em;">
<span style="font-weight:bold; color:#005f8a; min-width:64px; flex-shrink:0;">Dec–May</span>
<span style="color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.4;">Swimming, surfing, sailing, kitesurfing, deep sea fishing.</span>
</div>
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.84em;">
<span style="font-weight:bold; color:#005f8a; min-width:64px; flex-shrink:0;">Jun–Sep</span>
<span style="color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.4;">Whale watching, birdwatching, photography, hiking.</span>
</div>
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:7px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.84em;">
<span style="font-weight:bold; color:#005f8a; min-width:64px; flex-shrink:0;">Year-round</span>
<span style="color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.4;">Running, cycling, fishing, sea lions at La Lobería.</span>
</div>
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:7px 0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.84em;">
<span style="font-weight:bold; color:#005f8a; min-width:64px; flex-shrink:0;">Dawn</span>
<span style="color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.4;">Anconcito port. Not an activity. Just go once.</span>
</div>
 
</div>
</div>
 
 
<!-- ── SIDEBAR: NOT TO MISS ── -->
<div style="border:1px solid #d0dce8; border-radius:5px; overflow:hidden; margin-bottom:16px;">
<div style="background:#005f8a; color:#ffffff; padding:9px 14px; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold;">Not to Miss</div>
<div style="padding:12px 14px;">
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:8px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; align-items:flex-start;">
<div style="font-size:18px; width:34px; height:34px; background:#e0f4fa; border-radius:50%; text-align:center; line-height:34px; flex-shrink:0;">🏛️</div>
<div>
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.88em; color:#003d5c;">[[Amantes de Sumpa|Amantes de Sumpa Museum]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.78em; color:#6a6a6a; margin-top:2px;">8,000-year-old couple in an embrace. Free entry.</div>
</div>
</div>
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:8px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; align-items:flex-start;">
<div style="font-size:18px; width:34px; height:34px; background:#e0f4fa; border-radius:50%; text-align:center; line-height:34px; flex-shrink:0;">🌊</div>
<div>
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.88em; color:#003d5c;">[[La Chocolatera]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.78em; color:#6a6a6a; margin-top:2px;">Two currents meet at Ecuador's westernmost tip. Free entry.</div>
</div>
</div>
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:8px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #e8eef5; align-items:flex-start;">
<div style="font-size:18px; width:34px; height:34px; background:#e0f4fa; border-radius:50%; text-align:center; line-height:34px; flex-shrink:0;">🛢️</div>
<div>
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.88em; color:#003d5c;">[[Ancón|Ancón Heritage Site]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.78em; color:#6a6a6a; margin-top:2px;">Ecuador's first oil well (1911) &amp; British company-town.</div>
</div>
</div>
 
<div style="display:flex; gap:10px; padding:8px 0; align-items:flex-start;">
<div style="font-size:18px; width:34px; height:34px; background:#e0f4fa; border-radius:50%; text-align:center; line-height:34px; flex-shrink:0;">🐋</div>
<div>
<div style="font-weight:bold; font-size:0.88em; color:#003d5c;">[[Whale Watching Season|Whale Watching]]</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.78em; color:#6a6a6a; margin-top:2px;">Humpbacks June–September. Best viewpoints listed.</div>
</div>
</div>
 
</div>
</div>
 
 
<!-- ── SIDEBAR: CONTRIBUTE ── -->
<div style="border:1px solid #0093c4; border-radius:5px; overflow:hidden; background:#eaf5ee;">
<div style="background:#1d6b40; color:#ffffff; padding:9px 14px; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:10px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold;">🏗️ Help Build This Page</div>
<div style="padding:12px 14px; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.86em; color:#4a4a4a; line-height:1.6;">
This portal is a living document. If you live here and know something the wiki doesn't — add it.
* [[Special:WantedPages|Articles most needed]]
* [[Special:Upload|Upload a photo]]
* [[Wiki Guidelines|Contribution guidelines]]
* [[How to Donate|Support the project]]
</div>
</div>
 
 
|}
<!-- end two-column table -->
 
[[Category:Portals]]
[[Category:Peninsula]]

Latest revision as of 02:21, 26 March 2026


The Living Guide to the Peninsula and Ruta del Spondylus
ECUAWIKI
A community-run guide to the Santa Elena coast of Ecuador — written by residents, for residents and visitors alike. Choose where you want to go.


🌊
Portal
The westernmost point of mainland Ecuador. Three cities, dozens of fishing villages, eight thousand years of human history, and the most diverse stretch of Pacific coast in the country.
Salinas · La Libertad · Santa Elena
Ballenita · Ancón · Anconcito
Punta Blanca · Baños de San Vicente
🏄
Portal
The coastal highway north of the peninsula. A chain of surf towns, fishing coves, cloud-forest headlands, and some of the most beautiful beaches in Ecuador, running toward Manabí.
Ayangue · Manglaralto · Montañita
Olón · Curia · San José · Ayampe
La Rinconada · Las Tunas
📋
Portal
The paperwork, the systems, and the things nobody explains to you when you arrive. Visas, cédulas, banking, internet, medical services — written by people who figured it out the hard way.
Visas · Cédulas · Residency
Banking · Medical Services
Internet · Taxis · Couriers


EcuaWiki — Founded and maintained by Stephan Kleeblatt. Community-contributed · Free · Ad-free · Active.
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