Ecuador - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 613

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By bus There are buses to and from Quito (several daily;
7hr) and Guayaquil (several daily; 8hr). If you can't get
a direct bus to or from Quito or Guayaquil, change at
Esmeraldas (the bus station is a few kilometres outside
of the city, which it's preferable to avoid). Use Trans
Esmeraldas, Aerotaxi or Trans Occidentales (o ces across
the footbridge). Bear in mind that at weekends and during
national holidays you must book in advance as demand is
high. Atacames has no central bus terminal so you usually
need to stand on the dusty main street inland to hail one.
Trans La Costeñita and Trans Pacífico buses run several
times an hour to Súa, Same and Muisne (1hr 30min). For
Mompiche (2hr 30min), there are three or four direct buses
a day, or you can catch a bus heading to Pedernales and be
dropped off nearby.
By tricycle taxi The town is compact enough to walk
around, but if you're laden with luggage and particularly
at night, take one of the motorized tricycle taxis ($0.50).
Tourist information There is a small iTur o ce stocked
with brochures on the corner of the main road inland from
Malecón.

party town. Boom boxes pump out
ear-splittingly loud salsa and reggaeton,
while bars are packed with revellers until
dawn. Note that tourists, particularly
women, get hassled more here than in
the southern resorts. Muggings have also
been reported so avoid taking valuables
onto the beach, take taxis at night and
stay in well-lit areas. 6

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
There are a few interesting excursions,
including boat trips to nearby Isla
Encantada ($3), which has abundant
birdlife. From June to September, you
can watch humpback whales off the
coast; tours can be organized through
Le Castell Hotel , on the Malecón
( T 06 273 1442). The town of Atacames
is inland over the bridge but it's a dusty
unpleasant place, which only necessitates
a visit if you need a bank.

ATACAMES

PACIFIC OCEAN

ACCOMMODATION
Andy
Carmita
Chill Inn
Galería
Jennifer
El Marqués

Museo Acuario Marina

4
2
5
3
1
6

N

ATM

Banco del Pichincho

Trans
Esmeraldas
Buses for Same
Súa & Muisne

Panamericano

Parque
Central

Aerotaxi

Trans Occidentales

EATING & NIGHTLIFE
Delicias del Mar
Marco's
Oh Mar
Pizzeria da Giulio

3
2
4
1

0 50

metres