Central & South Coast - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 299

Salinas/La Libertad
Just west of La Libertad is the modern Hotel Valdivia ,
Urbanización Costa de Oro Fase III, Av. Este,

/fax [phone].
Rooms include mini-fridges and balconies that overlook the swim-
ming pool patio. Family apartments are great for larger groups. $$

Nearby is the Hotel Samarina , Av. 9 de Octubre and Malecón, 4-

2735-167, /fax [phone]. Pricey but nice, the Samarina is lo-

cated on the waterfront (rarely a beach here). Clean and pleasant
rooms overlook the ocean or pool area and include mini-bars, TVs,
telephones, private hot-water baths, and, in a few cases, air-
conditioning. Separate family-style bungalows are the best deals. $$

At the high end in Salinas is Hotel Casino Calypso , located on the
Malecón next to Capitanía del Puerto,

/fax 4-2773-
583, [e-mail], www.goecuador.com/calypsso/html/ho-
tel.html. It offers full service and standard hotel amenities. This is a
13-floor high-rise luxury hotel, with spacious and comfortable rooms,
kitchenettes, private baths and picturesque views of the bay. There is
a small outdoor swimming pool, casino and the pleasant Alta Mar
restaurant , which serves fresh seafood daily. $$$

4-2773-605,

At a more modest level is El Carruaje , Malecón 517, 4-2774-282,

/fax [phone]. Prices here are a bit lower. Rooms have TV and air-
conditioning. $$-$$$

In themid-range, but still modern, is Suites Salinas , at Calle 27 and
Gen. Enriques Gallo, /fax [phone], hotelsalinas@

porta.net. They have air-conditioning, cable TV, pool, restaurant and
a disco. $$

4-2772-759,

If you're on a budget, the Yulee , on Gen. Enriquez Gallo and C 14,
near the beach, 4-2772-028, has been recommended as a good

value. They have comfortable rooms in the colorful renovated home,
with a pleasant courtyard. $

Punta Carnero

This is just south of La Libertad, with a beach and a hotel of the same
name. Although this area is popular with locals during the high sea-
son, you can find vacant beaches and excellent whale-watching op-
portunities during Western summer months. The hotel, on the beach
about five miles south of La Libertad, offers seaside comfort with a
view. 4-2775-450, www.hotelpuntacarnero.com. $$-$$$