Salinas is one of the most popular beach towns in Ecuador. It has nice beaches, lively nightlife, great seafood and Pacific Ocean views. With an estimated 2025 population exceeding 37,000.
Some call it “Little Miami” which I think is a bit of a stretch. 🙂
The beaches and climate are the major draw. Salinas has a warm and dry climate all year round, with average temperatures ranging from between 63°F (17°C) at night and 82°F (28°C) during the day.
The main attractions are its two popular beaches, San Lorenzo and Chipipe.
San Lorenzo is known for its lively atmosphere, with lots of restaurants, bars, and water sports.
Chipipe, on the other hand, is a quieter, more family-oriented beach with calmer waters.
The Malecon runs along both beaches, and is nice for walking, jogging, and especially nice at sunset.
My overall opinion of Salinas is at the end of this report.
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Cost of Living
The cost of living is relatively low, especially compared to North America or Europe, but more expensive than some other Ecuadorian cities.
Cost of living numbers by Numbeo – https://www.numbeo.com
Note: Cost of living numbers are very subjective and dependent on your individual lifestyle.
Remember… “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
Healthcare
The healthcare system in Salinas is decent for Ecuador, not up to the level of Quito or Guayaquil, but sufficient for routine needs with private options nearby. For specialist or complicated care, you will need to go to Guayaquil (a 2-hour drive)
- Hospital Granados – instagram.com/hospitalgranados/ – Location & Reviews
- Qrar Centro Médico – facebook.com/qrarmedicosespecialistas/ – Location & Reviews
Real Estate
There are many foreigners in Salinas and lots of vacation homes.
I would not live in and around La Libertad, although good for shopping, as this is the main commercial area.
The most desirable neighborhoods are listed below:
San Lorenzo
This area is to the right of Hotel Colón Salinas as you face the sea. A few nice beach front homes and a few upscale apartment buildings.
Chipipe
Some nice apartment building on the beach. Lots of homes and smaller apartment buildings just off the beach in this area. This is the part of Salinas I see the most growth and re-development.
An interactive map showing the most desirable neighborhoods highlighted in red.
Below is a POV (point of view) video showing the most desirable neighborhoods.
This will give you a good feel for the neighborhoods from the perspective of riding around.
Real Estate Websites
Although these websites and Facebook Groups are in Spanish, they are very easy to translate into English, with Facebook offering automatic translation.
Mitula (Spanish)
Facebook Marketplace is also popular in Ecuador for listing real estate rentals.
This link will take you directly to the rental listings in Salinas.
Climate
Average temperatures range between 63°F (17°C) at night and 82°F (28°C) during the day.
Transport
Salinas is very walkable. It is very easy to move around using taxis, buses or motos.
Shuttles to Guayaquil run daily (US$12-15).
Airport
The Salinas Airport is named General Ulpiano Paez Airport (SNC) and is a joint public/military airport. As far as I’m aware, it is currently only used by the military and cargo planes.
For commercial flights, travelers typically use Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) in Guayaquil, approximately 140 km northeast of Salinas.
Shopping
Plenty of supermarkets, hardware stores etc. Only reason to go to Guayaquil is medical and any odd or hard to find purchases.
- El Paseo Shopping La Peninsula – Location & Reviews
Amazon, Mercado Libre, and all the major couriers deliver in and around Salinas.
Security
Salinas has felt safe to me, with petty theft on the beaches the main thing to watch. Use common sense and you will be fine.
Lifestyle
Salinas has a “reasonably” well-developed infrastructure with modern amenities, including small hospitals, supermarkets, and a variety of restaurants. That said, you might get the odd power cut, which is not un-common in many parts of Ecuador.
The expat community is growing and mainly made up of Americans and Canadians.
Connectivity
Cellular services from Claro, Movistar, and Tuenti are available.
Internet services from Puntonet, Netlife, and others are available.
Starlink is also available in Ecuador, so this is another welcome option.
Attractions
Beyond the beaches, Salinas has several other attractions. La Chocolatera, a rocky point with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. It’s a great spot for whale watching during the migratory season (June to September).
La Loberia is a sea lion colony where you can observe sea lions in their natural habitat.
For a cultural experience, the Museo de Ballenas (Whale Museum) for insights into the marine life of the region.
FAQs
Retirees in Salinas stick to the malecon and gated buildings, use app or hotel taxis, and avoid driving between provinces at night. Most problems involve theft, not violence.
As of May 2025, a one-bedroom apartment near the beach rented for about $400 a month, and one outside the center for about $238. Price reports for Salinas are sparse, so treat these as rough numbers. Ask for a twelve-month lease rather than a holiday rate, and see the unit in person before paying a deposit.
The U.S. dollar. The dollar is Ecuador’s official currency, so there is no exchange rate to track. Large bills such as $50s and $100s are often refused, so carry $20s and smaller (2026). Cash leaving the country is taxed at 5 percent once you carry $1,200 or more.
Ecuador’s jubilado (retiree) visa requires a lifetime pension of at least three times the national basic wage. That is $1,446 a month in 2026, because the basic wage is $482. Add $250 a month for each dependent, such as a spouse. Social Security counts. You also need an apostilled FBI record and health insurance that covers you in Ecuador.
Yes. Ecuador is on Social Security’s International Direct Deposit list, so benefits can be paid into an Ecuadorian bank account (2026). The enrollment form is SSA-1199-OP75. Because Ecuador uses the dollar, there is no currency conversion. Medicare does not cover care in Ecuador, so plan on local or international health insurance.
Resources
Below is a list of resources I recommend if you want to take a deeper dive into Salinas.
General Information
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salinas,_Ecuador
Facebook Groups
Salinas Ecuador – https://www.facebook.com/groups/SalinasCLUB/
Salinas Expats – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1567759520128944
My Opinion
Beach town that is dead in the off season
The electricity goes out at times.
The roads are wide and empty in the week, holidays is a different story.
You better like noise or can tolerate it, as holiday time this place is packed!
If I had to live in Salinas, I would focus in the Chipipe area either in front of the beach.
The other area is to the right of Hotel Colón Salinas as you face the sea. To the left you are starting to get into the very populated main beach area.
Photos
A selection of random photos I have taken visiting Salinas.
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