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Canoa Beach Travel Guide and Tips
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March 11, 2019For some, Canoa Ecuador is one of their favorite spots on the Pacific coastline of this nation. Located in the Manabi province of Ecuador, Canoa sits on a long stretch of sandy beach, lined with small guesthouses and bars. With a wonderfully chilled out atmosphere, once you’ve pitched up on the Canoa beach you won’t want to leave! In this Canoa travel guide we will look at the things to do in Canoa, when to go, how to get there and get around, nearby attractions, where to stay and gastronomy. Depending on how much you like the beach, two or three days is probably plenty of time to explore Canoa and its surrounds, and still have some time left to kick back with a cocktail on the sand.
Canoa Town Highlights
The main highlight of a visit to Canoa is without a doubt, time spent on the delightful beach. Another real highlight is visiting the Rio Muchacho sustainable farm to learn about agriculture in the region. You might even consider taking a horse trek!
Things to Do in Canoa Beach
Canoa is a very relaxed sort of a place, and one of the best things to do here is simply relax and unwind on the beach. You might try your hand at surfing while you are here, as there are operators that rent boards and provide lessons. Another thing to do when staying at Canoa beach is to take Spanish lessons. Both private and group lessons are available, and prices are very reasonable.
When to go to Canoa Beach
Weather
Canoa has fabulous weather all year around. The average temperature throughout the year varies between a very pleasant 75 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit (24 and 27 degrees Celsius). There is a higher chance of rain between January and April, with February having the highest likelihood of a few wet hours during the day. Between May and December the chances of rain are pretty low.
High Season
Canoa does not really have a high season, though it is likely to be busier in the sunnier months of May through December. However, be aware that on Ecuadorian public holidays this little beach village will get very busy, as Ecuadorians love to spend their downtime at the beach. At these times you’ll need to book in advance to be sure of getting somewhere to stay. Christmas and New Year are particularly busy times and might perhaps be considered “high season”.
Getting There and Around
Canoa is best reached by private transport or by bus. A public bus from Quito will take around 7 – 9 hours to reach Canoa, and you may have to change bus in nearby Bahia de Caraquez. Alternatively you might consider hiring a car, or taking private transport from either Quito or Guayaquil. Journey times are reduced in private transport, as you won’t be stopping at various points along the way to pick up/drop off others.
Canoa Beach Town Nearby Attractions
Bahia de Caraquez
One nearby city to visit is Bahia de Caraquez. This city is set on a sandy peninsula. Here there is an interesting archeological museum to visit.
San Vicente
San Vicente is another coastal town that may be worth a visit. It has a lovely beach in its own right, and there is decent shopping here too.
Where to Stay in Canoa
Canoa has a wide range of accommodation options to cover all budgets. At the lower end, Hostel Coco Loco gets great reviews for being good value and friendly, and a number of the rooms have beachfront views. At the other end of the scale, you might choose Canoa Beach Hotel, a tranquil place with a delightful swimming pool, where you can get away from the crowds.
Canoa Beach Gastronomy
Canoa has some great little restaurants, most with a fabulous view of the sea, and delightful for sundowners. Some good places that have a range of different cuisines include Hotel Bambu Restaurant and Suki Bar. Meanwhile, Surf Shak offers reliable American pub food, such as burgers. If you want to try local cuisine, do not miss encocado – this is usually fish of some sort in a coconut sauce, or ceviche – which is fish in a tomato-based sauce.
Insider Recommendations for your time in Canoa
An important Insider recommendation for your time in Canoa if you’re staying in the main hub of the village is to bring some earplugs! The town has a lively nightlife and it can be a bit noisy on weekend nights. Alternatively, you could stay at one of the places off the beachfront, or further down the track from the center of the village. Another Insider recommendation is, if you’re not already a surfer, why not try your hand at surfing when you visit Canoa? The cost of a lesson is cheap, and it may just turn out to be your new favorite hobby.
Ecuador and Galapagos Insiders offers customized tours and we can include a visit to Canoa on your trip. Contact us to find out how we can help today.
