Businesses close their doors. Even hotels lock it up.
Not a soul in the streets except the occasion street dog.
It´s cloudy and a bit brisk… everyday.
Welcome to the low season on the coast of Ecuador.
It also happens to be the best time to search for and buy real estate. You´ll find many more properties for sale and eager owners looking to sell at bargain prices. The low season for tourists is the best time for a potential buyer to make an offer in Ecudaor. So when is the low season?
Depends where you are on the coast.
Right now, in August, we´re right in the middle of low season on the southern coast, from Manta down to the Salinas/Playas area. Low season on the southern coast or area south of Manta is generally from May to early December.
High season from Salinas to Manta is from late December to early April. If you have a rental, take advantage and jack up the price, cause you´ll still be able to find a renter.
Its the sunniest time of the year with blue-bird days mixed in with the occasional rain storm. It also happens to be when North Americans are looking to escape the dreadful northern winters. It´s also when school children along the Ecuador coast have their summer break meaning Ecuadorian families are traveling in full force.
On the northern part of the coast, or from Manta to Esmeraldas, it´s different and more complicated.
The high season is from late June through August, when Quito and the highland people have off from school. The immediate days around Christmas, New Years, easter week (semana santa, April) and Carnaval (in February) is also high season and very packed.
At least on the beaches in and around Esmeraldas the sunniest months of the year are August, November, March and February. The rainy months are December, May, June, July and October.
So in the low season …buy… in the high season … sell (but you´re not going to want to, cause your place will probably be rented at a good price).
And for renters, I´d say no reservation is needed for low season stays, you can often find options simply upon arrival, but for the high season reserve months in advance!
And if you´re forced to look for sun in the middle of the year, go north my friend.
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