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Most up-and-coming tropical hotspots go through various stages of development. They’re relatively unheard of. They get discovered and developed.  Expats and tourists arrive in droves from all over the globe.  Prices skyrocket. And suddenly everyone is looking for the next up-and-coming destination.

Not so with Salinas, Ecuador real estate.

Unlike many of its coastal counterparts, Salinas is neither primed for or coming off some big real estate or tourism boom.  It hasn’t experienced any sudden growth or development.  Well, at least not in the past few decades.

When it comes to the Salinas real estate market, what you see is what you get.  And what you get is a whole lot of bang for your buck in terms of beautiful beaches, great weather, modern amenities, and incredible bargains.

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Salinas Has Been Growing Steadily for At Least 7 Decades

Like most popular coastal destinations, Salinas began as a quiet fishing village. However even in the early 20th century it was a popular vacation spot due to its warm, calm waters and abundance of sunshine.

While most of those visitors arrived mainly for the summer months (December to April), the establishment of a U.S. naval base in 1943 opened the door for even more tourists, particularly young women.  Since that time, Salinas has steadily grown as it’s been frequented by more tourists and settled by more residents with each passing year.

The only real spike in population occurred about a decade ago when many Ecuadorians working in the shrimping business began to move their families to Salinas, turning it even more from a seasonal destination into a bustling city year-round.  Today around 50,000 people call Salinas home.

Salinas, Ecuador Has All the Makings of a Dream Destination

The factors that have historically made the town popular as a vacation destination are the same ones that make Salinas, Ecuador real estate an ideal choice for many expats and investors.  For starters there’s the weather.

Despite its proximity to the equator, Salinas enjoys a surprisingly mild climate, especially as tropical beach towns go.  During the summer (December to April), which is the peak season, temps range from daytime highs in the mid 90s to evening lows near 70.  And it’s sunny almost every single day.

From May to November an almost daily cloud cover leads to much cooler temperatures (low 70s down to low 50s).  There’s also an occasional rain.  In both seasons there’s a nice breeze that blows in from the sea.

The entire area boasts beautiful white to gray sand beaches and warm, clear waters. There’s also a wealth of aquatic adventures to enjoy.  You can charter a boat for whale watching or game fishing or give surfing or wakeboarding a try.  There are also a number of adventure companies offering activities such as parasailing, banana rides, and jetski rentals.

Rinaldo Wurglitsch

Does Salinas Live Up to Its Nickname?

Salinas has been dubbed by some as a “Little Miami” due to its popularity among locals and its highly developed tourist infrastructure.  Can this South American beach town really compare to the glitz and glitter of South Beach?  In some ways, yes.  In others, heck no.  And in one aspect, it blows Miami out of the water.

At first glance, yes, Salinas on a busy summer weekend could easily be confused with Miami’s crowded shore.  The beach is a sea of umbrellas and oil-slicked sunbathers lined towel to towel.  There are vendors and marketers crammed in everywhere, hawking their wares and plastering their logo on every exposed surface.

Stereos thump by day and discos by night (and into the wee hours of the morning). Beyond the malecon are rows of glistening high rise condo and apartment buildings. There are first-class resorts, restaurants, bars, and even a yacht club.

A Closer Look Reveals Some of the Town’s Flaws

While it does resemble Miami from a distance, there are stark differences once you come in a little closer to the Salinas crowd.  For instance, even though Salinas is a highly developed city (and one of Ecuador’s only well-developed beach towns), it still isn’t a first world lifestyle.

You won’t find the same brand names and status symbols of South Beach. There are two supermarkets, a movie theater, and some small shopping centers.  But you’ll have to drive a little farther to find much more than that.

Also, due to its appeal as a vacation haven and its close proximity to Guayaquil (just over an hour away), it’s extremely popular among Ecuadorians as a weekend getaway spot.  (Read: It’s crowded.)

Many of these vacationers also have concern for little more than their own enjoyment. As a result, common courtesies like reasonable stereo volumes, use of trash receptacles, politeness, and other considerations are often lost on them.

Note: This kind of atmosphere obviously isn’t for everyone, for those who want a more laid-back vibe there’s Chipipe Beach which is located just on the other side of the jetty and the yacht club.  It’s much quieter and more family-oriented.  The beach is also wider, giving sunbathers and swimmers much more room to move around.

Nicole Rogers

Why the Town’s Biggest Downside Could Be an Investor’s Greatest Advantage

If Salinas was sounding like a great place to own property right up until that last part about the throngs of loud, rude, vacationing Ecuadorians, then you’ll like this next little tidbit.

Those weekenders from Guayaquil?  They pack up and leave on Sunday evening and head back to their normal lives.  Salinas remains a much quieter and calmer place Monday morning through Friday afternoon.  

So, perhaps a better way to look at those incoming weekenders is how an investor would see them: as a fantastic pool of potential renters.  They’re the second biggest reason that Salinas, Ecuador real estate is such a smart investment. 

In addition to peak season weekends, they’re also eager to visit the coast around big holidays, like Christmas and New Year’s Eve, as well as Carnival which takes place in February.  Even during the off season, many Ecuadorians like to vacation in Salinas while their kids are out of school.  It’s also popular with newlyweds, as it’s sort of like the Ecuadorian equivalent of a Hawaiian honeymoon.

The Number One Reason Salinas, Ecuador Real Estate Is a Great Investment

Were you wondering where on earth you would go if you decided to rent your apartment or condo in Salinas and spend your time elsewhere during parts of the year?  Well, if you’re like many natives and expats who own property there, you could go to your city flat for a few days or spend a week enjoying your mountain hideaway.

Due to the unbelievably low cost of real estate in Salinas (not to mention the equally low cost of living), it’s entirely possible–and quite common–for its residents to own two or even three homes in several of Ecuador’s diverse regions and climates.  

Just how cheap is it? Well, relatively speaking, Salinas, Ecuador real estate represents one of the lowest priced real estate markets in the single lowest-priced country in the world, according to real estate giant Coldwell Banker (as of 2011).

I say “relatively,” because there a lot of places in the world where you can buy property for rock-bottom prices.  But there are hardly any where you can enjoy top-notch amenities in an incredible setting the way you can in Salinas.

Its incredibly low real estate prices are the one area where Miami doesn’t hold a candle to Salinas.

On top of the affordable properties, things like entertainment, food, and other consumer goods are also extremely cheap in Salinas, as they are throughout Ecuador.  You can eat a delicious meal of freshly caught seafood, including oysters and shrimp ceviche, for $8 or less and wash it down with a 20 ounce beer for a buck.

Rinaldo Wurglitsch

Just How Much Salinas, Ecuador Real Estate Will Your Money Buy?

So, that’s how much it costs to eat and drink in Salinas, but it’s time to get down to brass tacks.  To give you an idea of what kind of real bargains are out there, here are a few of the actual listings currently on the market in Salinas.

• A mere $70,000 buys you 4 bedrooms/4 baths spread out over a whopping 2,690 square feet with a city view that comes fully furnished.

• For $120,000 you get a brand new home in a small gated community with a modern American-style kitchen, a shared pool, and a view of the beach a half block away.

• With $200,000 you can have a 3/3 in a brand new beachfront development that’s centrally located and boasts the finest amenities and high-end finishes.

With prices like these it’s easy to see why Salinas, Ecuador real estate is such a tempting purchase.  It offers almost everything there is to love about a South Florida beach town, but at a fraction of the cost.

And, if you’re willing to overlook the influx of rowdy weekenders, or even use them to your benefit, then it could be the ideal place for you to own the beachfront property of your dreams.  The only way to know is to try the place on for size.  Just make sure to experience both seasons before you decide.

Map of Salinas, Ecuador

Salinas, Ecuador Fast Facts

• Population: 28,650
• Typical temperature: Ecuador is known for its micro climates, learn more here.
• Major airports with U.S. flights: Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil. Complete list of airports in Ecuador.
• Nearest U.S. consulate: Quito and Guayaquil