Located near the southern tip of the Santa Elena Peninsula, Playas is a coastal city in the Ecuadorian province of Guayas. It is officially named “General Villamil Playas” after the independence leader, Jose de Villamil, and is a popular holiday destination for residents of nearby Guayaquil.
Things to do in Playas
Stretching along the waterfront is the Playas de Villamil National Recreation Area, which takes in 14 kilometres of white sandy beaches. It protects the beaches as well as the adjacent coastal ecosystems and the marine life of the Pacific Ocean. Lifeguards patrol many of the beaches while the Malecon de Playas is the perfect place to stroll at sunset.
A short drive east of Playas is the Cerro El Muerto, a striking rock formation that offers impressive views across the area. It is named after its resemblance to a person lying with their hands on their chest, as they would in death. In addition to hiking and mountain biking, the area surrounding Cerro El Muerto is a popular quad-biking destination.
Travelling with kids? Playas makes an ideal base for visiting the Rancho de Wang, a family-friendly amusement park with a large pool, a water playground and a restaurant serving Ecuadorian favourites. At the on-site zoo, you’ll find animals from around the globe, including inquisitive emus and llamas. Horseback riding excursions are also available at the ranch.
Getting around Playas
Playas is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Guayaquil and two hours from Jose Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the Americas and Europe. Long-distance buses connect to Playas while local services travel throughout the city. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.