Esmeraldas Province, Coastal province in northwestern Ecuador
Description
Esmeraldas Province sits in the northwest of the country and runs along the Pacific coast with beaches, mangrove forests, and tropical rainforest areas inland. The territory includes seven cantons with the capital city of the same name serving as the main center and port.
History
The region was officially declared a province on November 20, 1847, and gained strategic importance because of its location on the border with Colombia. Centuries earlier, indigenous groups lived here before African slaves in the 16th century reshaped the population.
Culture
Afro-Ecuadorian communities shape daily life with marimba rhythms and traditional dances heard in many coastal villages. Fishing traditions pass from generation to generation, with men and women heading out to sea in simple boats along the shoreline.
Practical
Access usually goes through the provincial capital, from where buses and boats reach coastal towns and smaller inland settlements. The rainy season runs from January to May, while drier months offer better conditions for beach visits and hikes.
Did you know?
The Mache-Chindul Reserve protects one of the last coastal forests of its kind and shelters rare plant and animal species found only here. Trails wind through dense vegetation where visitors can watch howler monkeys and tropical birds in their natural habitat.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Ecuador).
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo
112.6 km
Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve
108.8 km
Manglares Cayapas-Mataje Ecological Reserve
67.4 km
Sincholagua Volcano
108.8 km
Mache-Chindul Ecological Reserve
80 km
Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve
55.1 km
Museo Solar Intiñán
112.6 km
Torre Urban Plaza
94.8 km
Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve
98.4 km
Catequilla
114.5 km
Intiñan Equator Museum
112.6 kmRefugio de Vida Silvestre Manglares Estuario Río Esmeraldas
60.5 kmRefugio de Vida Silvestre El Pambilar
18 kmReserva Biologica Los Cedros
57.3 km
Playa de Súa
82.2 kmRefugio de Vida Silvestre La Chiquita
70.4 km
Muisne Beach
98.6 km
Monumento a la Mitad del Mundo
112.6 kmIsla de La Tola
52.9 kmMache-Chindul Ecological Reserve Permnent Plot Two
76.8 kmMache-Chinul Ecological Reserve Plot Two
76.7 kmFinca sueños Ruta del Cacao
71 kmComunidad Mashpi
67.7 kmFuyupamba fruit farm
102.6 kmSanta Lucia Swing
91.2 kmMashpishungo
66.9 kmQuinta Mi Refugio
64.7 kmWork of art
112.6 km
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes