Esmeraldas

Every day the main street of Esmereldas is closed to traffic to provide a crowded promenade lined with shops, bars and restaurants. Half an hour to the south of the city lie the twin resorts of Atacames and Sua where superb beaches offer swimming opportunities. From here you can also visit Quito which has a picturesque setting on the lower slopes of Pichincha volcano in a narrow, fertile valley of the Andes at a height of 9,350 ft above sea level.