Don't go. There are tons of rip tides. No warning signs. No life guards. My friend drowned in Via a Data and two of my other friends almost died with him. We spent two days looking for him and those were the most horrific two days of my life. It's not the first time someone has died there. Don't go, PLEASE.
After having travelled the entire length of the Ecuador coast, we fell in love with Playas. We settled here February to June, and quickly learned the ins and outs of the sleepy fishing village. It really comes alive on the weekends during this period because the inlanders flock to the beaches and the local schools are still on summer break. So, you get a good balance between reveling and recovery! As already mentioned, water is warm for swimming, and waves can be good for surfing. Playas is near the mouth of the Guayaquil river so the water is silty especially during the rainy season, and not your typical cerulean blue. Don't expect to go scuba diving! As for day-to-day living, there are several grocery stores and a upper scale one at The Mall. it also has banks, a pharmacy, a health clinic, fast food chains and sport shops. You can break up the humdrum by spending an afternoon there. If you want to be in the center of activity, stay in any of the local hostels. Otherwise, there are private rentals on the town outskirts.
I've been visiting this town since I was a kid, great memories and good imes here.You can find great seafood at good prices, and also you can enjoy very good "empanadas" right at the park, in the afternoon will be better with a coffee...they're the best!!.This town is really nice and is not expensive, you can have a good time with friends and family.
I enjoy my visits to Playas because I know people who have beach houses there, and I enjoy walking what appears to be an endless beach looking out at the ocean. It is a convenient 40 minutes away from Guayaquil which makes for a great day trip or overnight stay. I understand that others say "there are better beach destinations in Ecuador".... For me I have enjoyed going there tremendously. Great times and great memories. The water is a bit too cool for my tastes since I am spoiled by the warm waters o Miami & the tropics but on a hot day that water is so refreshing!I recommend it.
Playas is a good destination if you're stuck in Guayaquil and need something to do for the day other than watch Tele-Novelas. This beach is similar to the Gulf of Mexico beaches. If you go on a weekend it's packed with locals soaking up sun rays or blasting their own music under umbrellas. The best part of Playas in my opinion are the omnipresent vendors who will roam the beach and sell you food and beer. You only have to get up to go pee in the ocean. The vendors are also a negative in that you will be asked at least 10 times if you want a fake tattoo, braids in your hair or cheap sunglasses.Don't be surprised by gloomy weather from June-September. It's not a good time to enjoy the beach. It is the perfect time for whale-watching, however, so head further up north to Puerto Lopez.After you've had your fill of the beach definitely make the trip to La Ostra Que Fuma or their neighbor Don Ostra. Best seafood in the province of Guayas. Simply have a moto-taxi take you there for $0.50.
The climate in Playas is all that it is advertised to be. Perfect temperature, constant breeze, overall a very pleasant place.
I love Playas villamil , 22 km of beach, water is warm, tranquil, birds and ocean
We had been studying in [cold] Cuenca for a month, so coming to this beach was a nice getaway from the mountains. We weren't looking for anything special, just some sand to walk along and some rocks to sit on. There were many different people - fishermen, families, and artisans. It's a bus ride away from Guayaquil and a nice escape from the city. The food in Playas is also cheaper than the food in the city - always a plus.
A very quiet beach. Over all, Very economical. So relaxing. Great for the family. Away from the noise. Very eco friendly. Any many other positive things...
Lake of good places for eat and stay.Some month of the year you find a lot of fly in the enviroment.