Top Things to do in Santa Elena
10 Things to Do in Santa Elena That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Santa Elena, Ecuador including Playa Montanita, Playa de Olon, Playa Punta Centinela, Acuario Valdivia, Playa San Pablo, Museo Amantes de Sumpa, Playa Rosada, Playa La Libertad, Playa de Punta Blanca, Catedral de Emperatriz de Santa Elena.
Restaurants in Santa Elena
1. Playa Montanita
Overall Ratings
4 based on 334 reviews
Reviewed By Tanis E - Quito, Ecuador
Despite it's long-time reputation for being a hot Surfing and party location on Ecuador's coast, Montanita offers something for the whole family. For years, our children have enjoyed having their hair braided and getting their temporary tattoos, we have discovered numerous souvenirs and unique gifts among the street vendors, and all our family members loved eating the Thai Fusion Food at El Tiburon Restaurant! My husband and I have enjoyed having a cocktail with an ocean view while watching the surfers. We have always felt safe and welcomed and go back year after year! Include Montanita in your visit to the Southern Coast of Ecuador.
2. Playa de Olon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By Richard L
Playa Olon, one of the main tourist places to enjoy the sun, sea and sand, in this paradisiacal place where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets, in addition to a varied gastronomy, typical dishes where the seafood is exquisite.
It has large infrastructure at the service of tourists. It has a food court, green areas, walkways, sanitary batteries with showers and dressing rooms, plus a large parking area for private vehicles and buses.
I recommend you to visit this tourist place with beautiful landscapes that you can enjoy with family, friends and spend a spectacular afternoon the drawback is that this is a little far and you need to have your own car to move, anyway it’s an excellent place.
3. Playa Punta Centinela
Overall Ratings
4 based on 48 reviews
4. Acuario Valdivia
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By AcclaimTalent - Austin, Tx USA
A young school girl was given the "official" guide uniform and her first tour was commendable. This humble facility is a delight. They attempt to educate the public and help save marine wildlife. A folksy, friendly and somewhat impoverished place. Give then a donation for their good work.
5. Playa San Pablo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Ximena F
It is located on the route of spondylus of the province of Santa Elena; it is a place visited by tourists from different cities because it has a nice beach and is full of different types of restaurants for the taste of each person, bars and tropical bungalows to enjoy the sun sea and sand during the season. The services offered by this community are very good because the people of this area are very friendly and welcoming to all visitors who come to this beach is known for Ecuadorians.
San Pablo is a very nice place that has a good environment to enjoy with friends or family where they can perform various sports activities such as kayaking, boating, water skiing etc. It also offers hosting services according to the taste of people recommend you visit this beach Ecuador.
6. Museo Amantes de Sumpa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By FuturoValdivia - Santa Elena, Ecuador
A guided tour, or one on your own, - we made both - will in an hour give you very interesting information and illustrations of life in the peninsular area. The couple displayed as found in their tomb in a love-making position has given the name of the museum, and rightly so!
Very interesting!
7. Playa Rosada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By livingincuenca - Cuenca, Ecuador
Located 2.5 miles west off Route 15 (Ruta del Spondylus), just north of Palmar, Playa Rosada is a stunning beach. As its name suggests, the sand here is pinkish-peach and plentiful. Perfect beach for a relaxing day with family or friends. If you are driving between Montanita and Salinas, this beach deserves a stop.
This public beach is kept-up by the local community which also has a restaurant located at the entrance to the beach. In order to keep the beach clean (and make a small revenue), beach goers are asked to leave food items in their cars. Free umbrellas and deck chairs are available for visitors. During high season a $2 fee is charged per car in the expansive parking area.
8. Playa La Libertad
Overall Ratings
4 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By livingincuenca - Cuenca, Ecuador
Interesting to watch fisherman bring in their catch (both birds and human scavengers try to steal the fresh seafood when it is passed between the boats and the trucks). Then walk out on the breakwater for pictures. The small Malecon (boardwalk) has local restaurants to eat at, most holes-in-the-walls not worth mentioning. Small playground for kids to stop at. Worth stopping at when you are tired of the beach. Do not swim here, the beach is gray and gross. Entire boardwalk gets unsafe at night.
9. Playa de Punta Blanca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By worldsmymuse - Chicago, Illinois
This is the arid, tumbleweed, gray scraped landscape in the south with a small cove beach backed by white condo buildings. It's nothing special, more for a local day jaunt than a foreign attraction. But the waves are somewhat gentle for kids.
10. Catedral de Emperatriz de Santa Elena
Overall Ratings
4 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Mohammad A - Cairo, Egypt
Organized, clean station... busses are on time & the fair is adequate. Taxis are available just outside, but some of them are without meters
