La Loberia & La Chocolatera were two wonders to see when we finally decided to take a trip to an Ecuador beach. Living inland for a year, we finally decided we wanted to experience the beach. We had friends here from the states and our time was limited, so we drove over to the closest beach, Salinas. What we didn’t know was that we were going in offseason. During the high season (November-January), people told us the weather is beautiful, and the beaches are full of people similar to something you’d find in Miami. However, offseason is entirely different. The beaches were deserted, and very few shops/restaurants were open. The weather was cool and overcast most of the time. Lucky for us, we weren’t planning on going swimming or lounging around on the beach but rather took to exploring the area including some long walks along a gorgeous albeit not so warm and deserted beach. A couple of the main attractions in Salinas are just a 5-minute drive from the beach. There you will find the picturesque destinations, La Loberia and La Chocolatera. Considered by locals to be paradise, the peninsula which is home to both places is located to the East of Salinas, inside the Naval base of the Santa Elena province. We drove by car, approached the Naval base gate, and asked to see Loberia and Chocolatera. They looked at our passports, and Ecuadorian ID’s and they waved us in. Although the entrance is close to the beach, once inside, the park is huge. If you are thinking about walking, it will take you a long time. Be prepared because just the driving seemed long.

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