Atacames, Cities, Travel Destinations
Atacames can safely be described as one of the most thrilling and exciting destinations in Ecuador. Here it is never too late and never too early for a festive party and many young people flock to this beach resort for the fun and adventure that it provides. On weekends, locals from surrounding cities and towns crowd the streets and take full advantage of the nightlife that has made Atacames famous. It is located approximately 30 kilometers outside of Esmeraldas and is on the Pacific Coast. The endless beaches and holiday atmosphere provide a wonderful way to spend your vacation.
During the week and between the months of November to March, Atacames does experience its quieter moments and exploring the main restaurants, traditional craft shops or enjoying a coconut or water based drink on the soft sand next to the ocean can be a very soothing experience. If you are looking for a secluded and hidden getaway, then the village of Playa Escondida is just the place to go. It has an ecological reserve and offers visitor a complete contrast to the bustle of Atacames.
Atacames is also known for its whale watching opportunities, and there are a few tour companies that take visitors out on safe tours of the ocean. Beach enthusiasts will definitely be lured by the warm waters, but are advised to
take notice of the warning beacons and to adhere to them as the waters may look calm on the surface, but the strong under currents are extremely dangerous. Walking along the beach at night or in unlit areas that you don’t know will make you an easy target for attack and visitors are requested to stay in the populated locations after dark. Another quieter location to visit during the day is the small fishing village of Sua. Here you will find peace and quiet and basic accommodation.
But at the heart of Atacames, as with the other party destinations in Ecuador, are the noisy thatch roofed bars, discos, live music, foot stomping beats of salsa rhythms and the electrifying energy that surges through the city at night. Atacames is lively and fast moving, ideal for those who enjoy a good party.
Atacames, also known as Santa Rosa de Atacames, is an Ecuadorian city; cantonal head of the Canton Atacames, as well as the fourth largest and most populated city in the Province of Esmeraldas. It is located north of the coastal region of Ecuador, located in an extensive plain, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, crossed by the Atacames River, at an altitude of 6 meters above sea level and with a tropical rainy climate of 25 ° C on average.
It is famous throughout Ecuador for having one of the largest beaches in Ecuador and one of the closest to Quito; For this reason, most of the inhabitants of this city make this spa one of the busiest and most popular in the country. In the 2010 census, it had a population of 270,875, making it the sixty-eighth most populous city in the country. It is part of the metropolitan area of Esmeraldas, since its economic, social and commercial activity is strongly linked to Esmeraldas, being a “bedroom city” for thousands of workers who move to that city by land on a daily basis. The conglomerate is home to more than 200,000 inhabitants, being one of the main conurbations of Ecuador.
Its origins date from the 16th century, but it is in the middle of the 20th century, due to its privileged geographical location, when it presents an accelerated population growth until establishing an urban town; which would later be one of the main urban centers of the province. It is one of the most important administrative, economic, financial and commercial centers of Esmeraldas. The main economic activities of the city are: the shrimp industry, tourism, fishing and commerce.
Tourism in Atacames
Tourism is one of the most important activities in the Atacames, therefore, in recent years, it has been in constant change and innovation. The city has a growing reputation as a tourist destination due to its privileged location. Through the years, Atacames has notably increased its tourist offer; Currently, the tourist index grew thanks to the tourist campaign launched by the national government, “All you need is Ecuador.” Tourism in the city focuses on its natural beauty, interculturality, gastronomy, and adventure sports. Tourism in the city is closely related to the rest of the canton; Through the years it has continued with its commercial tradition, and currently in a fundamentally economic process, it bets on tourism, reflected in the changes in the city’s decoration.
Atacames is the largest natural beach in Ecuador and the closest to the capital, Quito; For this reason, most of the inhabitants of this city make this spa the most popular and popular in the country. Atacames and its surroundings offer tourists wide strips of gray sand beach, several kilometers long at low tide, which offers a pleasant environment for practicing sand or water sports, especially popular surfing.
The city of Atacames has a great nightlife, especially on weekends and during vacations, there is no shortage of discos or dance clubs, which have served as the launch of the most recent hits of all kinds of music, salsa, merengue, reggaeton.
There are many stalls along its colorful promenade, some with local crafts, jewelry samples and others to hang out by the sea, accompanied by good music and drinks such as caipirinha, a Brazilian drink made of rum mixed with lime juice and lots of ice. It has a wide boardwalk where we find good outdoor restaurants, with the best of the typical food of the region. Next to the beach, many bars offer typical drinks based on coconut water, mainly. There you never sleep, the bars, which are located on the beach, allow you to drink the best exotic drinks you can imagine and dance all night without stopping, it is ideal to listen to the music and hear how the waves collide with the beach, as if giving more rhythm to music, bonfires and hammocks that move at night allow you to see a wonderful show. Five kilometers further south
Excursions to nearby places are also very popular with tourists; Humpback whale watching during the summer months stands out.
