Though better known for its Andean Mountains, Amazonian Rainforest and the unique Galapagos Islands, Ecuador has a long, varied and fascinating coastline that until recently was underrated.
Stretching some 1,500km from the border of Colombia to Peru in the south, the Ecuadorian coast embraces long expanses of deserted beaches, with warm swimming waters, busy fishing villages, luxury vacation resorts, mangrove swamps, steamy ports, surfing spots, whale watching and wildlife sanctuaries.