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Home / Beaches / El Estero Beach

El Estero Beach

Пляж Эль-Эстеро
Ecuador · Beach · Guayaquil
murky
Best month: January

Best for

Suitable for walks and relaxing on the promenade, but not for swimming. Ideal for those who want to enjoy city views and historic atmosphere.

Best month

January

Water
+26.0°C
Length
400 m
El Estero Beach, featuring calm water and scenic views. It has a less crowded setting and amenities, popular for a peaceful nature retreat.
Surface
sand
Waves
glassy
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
El Estero Beach, featuring calm water and scenic views. It has a less crowded setting and amenities, popular for a peaceful nature retreat.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Scenic Malecón del Salado promenade
  • Walking paths and bridges
  • Restaurants and cafes nearby
  • Free access
  • Historic significance
  • Birdwatching opportunities

Cons

  • Severe water pollution (heavy metals, bacteria)
  • Swimming prohibited
  • Unpleasant smell
  • Litter in the water
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Suitable for walks and relaxing on the promenade, but not for swimming. Ideal for those who want to enjoy city views and historic atmosphere.
Features
What makes this beach unique
The beach is part of the Salado estuary restoration project — one of Guayaquil-s main natural features — but unfortunately suffers from severe pollution, making it unsuitable for swimming.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
grey
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
15 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
silt
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
mandatory
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
400 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
grey
Water Clarity
murky
Average Water Temp
+26.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+29.0 °C
Wave Type
glassy
Wave Height
0.1 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
—
Season end
—
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
none
Water Quality
Water purity rating
poor
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
caution
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
3.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
Caution: swimming is not recommended due to severe water pollution (heavy metals, bacteria).
Dangerous creatures
crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus)
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
Yes
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
5 pcs
Best restaurants

Malecón restaurants

Ecuadorian

Restaurants along the Malecón del Salado promenade with local cuisine

Nearby cuisines

Ecuadorian

Traditional Ecuadorian cuisine

Must try: Ceviche, seafood rice, patacones
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Flip-flops Cash Headwear
Best Time to Swim
Swimming is not recommended due to water pollution. The best time for walks is morning or evening.
Local Rules
Swimming is not recommended. Do not leave litter.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Malecón del Salado

Scenic promenade with walking paths and restaurants

Parque Lineal

Linear park along the estuary with rest areas

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
El Estero Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — grey, clarity murky, average temperature +26.0°C, warms up to +29.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
El Estero Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — glassy. Average wave height — 0.1 m.
El Estero Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 15 metres from the shore. Bottom — silt. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
El Estero Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — grey. Texture — fine. Beach length — 400 metres.
El Estero Beach: when is the swimming season?
The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
El Estero Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as poor. There are no rip currents — swimming is safe. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
El Estero Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus). We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
El Estero Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: toilets, parking, kids playground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
El Estero Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
El Estero Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Malecón restaurants. Cuisines available: Ecuadorian. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
El Estero Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Flip-flops, Cash, Headwear.
El Estero Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Swimming is not recommended due to water pollution. The best time for walks is morning or evening.
El Estero Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming is not recommended. Do not leave litter.
El Estero Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
El Estero Beach: who is this beach best for?
Suitable for walks and relaxing on the promenade, but not for swimming. Ideal for those who want to enjoy city views and historic atmosphere.
El Estero Beach: what makes this beach unique?
The beach is part of the Salado estuary restoration project — one of Guayaquil-s main natural features — but unfortunately suffers from severe pollution, making it unsuitable for swimming.
El Estero Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Scenic Malecón del Salado promenade, Walking paths and bridges, Restaurants and cafes nearby, Free access, Historic significance, Birdwatching opportunities. Cons: Severe water pollution (heavy metals, bacteria), Swimming prohibited, Unpleasant smell, Litter in the water.
El Estero Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Malecón del Salado, Parque Lineal. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
El Estero Beach: how do I get to the city of Guayaquil?
The beach is located near the city of Guayaquil. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Guayaquil.

City

Guayaquil

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.