Ulvia and I spend part of every year in our condo in Salinas, Ecuador. We usually get around in our own car or a rental, but you do not have to drive to make this coast work. Local buses and taxis cover a lot of daily life, and the trip to and from Guayaquil is straightforward if you plan it in daylight.
Some links are affiliates (GetYourGuide, Amazon, Booking.com). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is not legal, tax, immigration, medical, or insurance advice. Full disclaimers.
This page is practical background, not a live timetable. Fares and schedules change, so treat the figures below as approximate ranges and check current prices at the window, in the app, or with the driver before you ride.
If you are still planning the arrival itself — the flight into Guayaquil, immigration, and that first ride to the coast — start with Arriving in Salinas, Ecuador. A first-month checklist, including where we shop, is in Your first 30 days in Salinas, Ecuador.
You do not have to drive
Salinas sits at the tip of the Santa Elena Peninsula. La Libertad is the next town over and is where a lot of everyday shopping happens. Santa Elena, the provincial capital, is a little farther inland. You pass both of them on the drive in from Guayaquil. In Salinas itself, most visitors spend their time along the malecón, which is walkable once you are settled.
If you are staying near the malecón, taxis and local buses will take you to many of the daily stops, including the supermarket stretch on the main road toward La Libertad. A car is handy for Punta Carnero, evening trips, or a run into Santa Elena, but it is not a requirement for a first stay.
Local buses on the peninsula
Buses run along the corridor that ties Salinas, La Libertad, and Santa Elena together. For a visitor, that is the useful route: the beach, the shops in La Libertad, and the provincial bus terminal in Santa Elena.
In August 2026, after a fare adjustment by Ecuador’s Agencia Nacional de Tránsito (ANT), Primicias and Expreso reported the intracantonal bus fares as about $0.50 for a ride inside the same canton, $0.60 between neighboring cities such as Salinas and La Libertad or La Libertad and Santa Elena, and $0.70 from Salinas to Santa Elena, including from Terminal Sumpa. Those are the figures published at the time. Check the current price when you board, and carry small bills and coins. Drivers often cannot break a large note.
I am not listing route numbers or last-bus times here, because those details change and I want you to confirm them on the ground. If you will be out in the evening, ask early in the day when the buses you need typically stop running, and have a taxi plan as a backup.
Taxis
Taxis are easy to find along the malecón and in La Libertad. A typical in-town ride in Salinas usually costs about $3. Agree the fare before you get in, and confirm that the price is for the whole car, not per person. Keep small bills with you. As I noted in the money guide, a $50 or $100 bill can be hard to break at a taxi. Longer trips, late hours, and holidays can cost more, so ask first.
Be very careful with taxis. Only use a referral taxi — one called by your hotel, or by the guards (guardias) at your condo or hotel. Do not hail a random taxi on the street, and do not accept a ride from someone who approaches you unsolicited.
Ride-hailing apps
This is the part that confuses people who are used to opening one app in every city.
I do not use Uber, inDrive, or other ride-hailing apps in Salinas. I rely on referral taxis called by the hotel or by the guards at the condo. That is what I recommend you do, too.
Uber publishes a city page for Salinas, in Santa Elena province, and says you can request a ride there in the app. That tells you Salinas is a market Uber lists. It does not mean I use the app here, and it does not guarantee that a car is sitting around the corner at your hour. If you open it and nothing is available, use a referral taxi — not a random hail.
DiDi has an official driver page for Guayaquil, so it may be worth checking while you are still in the city. I did not find official DiDi coverage for Salinas, and I would not count on it once you reach the peninsula.
Cabify left Ecuador in 2023, according to El Telégrafo. Do not plan on that app here.
inDrive operates in Ecuador, but I could not confirm Salinas or La Libertad on the company’s own city lists, and I do not use it on this coast. I am not treating ride apps as a reliable option here.
Getting to and from Guayaquil
The municipality of Salinas puts the town about 140 kilometers from Guayaquil. By car, that is typically around two hours, depending on traffic, the time of day, and where on the peninsula you are headed. Rome2Rio’s planner puts the road distance from the airport at about 143.5 kilometers and a driving time around one hour and 50 minutes. I would still budget a full two hours, and more on holiday weekends.
Do not travel or drive at night if you can avoid it. That is a rule Ulvia and I try to follow, and I said the same in the arrival and seasons guides. The trip is straightforward in daylight. I would rather sleep in Guayaquil and continue in the morning than start that road after dark.
The bus
The bus is a solid low-cost option, and I would tell a first-time visitor it is fine if you can handle your bags and find the right window in Spanish. You do have to get from the airport to a bus terminal first.
The main station in the city is Terminal Terrestre Jaime Roldós Aguilera. Use an authorized airport taxi for that short connection. The airport operator, TAGSA, says official taxis run 24 hours a day outside both the domestic and international arrival doors. Pay cash in the taxi, or pay by card at the cooperative’s office in the international arrivals hall. Ask for the fare to the terminal before you get in. I would not accept a ride from someone who approaches you unsolicited in the arrivals hall.
Three cooperatives you will hear named for this corridor are:
Liberpesa (Compañía de Transporte Liberpesa). Its own site lists frequent service between Guayaquil and Santa Elena from 3:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. A schedule published for the Guayaquil terminal lists Salinas as a Liberpesa destination, with departures from 3:20 a.m. to 10:20 p.m. Liberpesa’s contact page lists a ticket office at Terminal Jaime Roldós Aguilera, (04) 213-3030, and another at Terminal Terrestre Sumpa in Santa Elena.
CLP (Libertad Peninsular). The company’s site lists a Guayaquil–Santa Elena route, plus service to Montañita and Olón, and a ticket office at the Santa Elena terminal.
CICA (Cooperativa Intercantonal Costa Azul). Its site describes direct service among Terminal Terrestre Santa Elena, Terminal Terrestre Guayaquil, and Terminal Vía a la Costa, daily from 3:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with departures every five minutes.
Some tickets and listings are sold as Salinas, others as Santa Elena. In my experience, the buses from Guayaquil drop you at the Santa Elena bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre de Santa Elena), also called Terminal Sumpa — not in central Salinas, and not on the malecón. From there, take a referral taxi for the last stretch. Do not hail a random taxi at the terminal.
For fares, check the current price at the window. After the ANT adjustment that took effect on August 1, 2026, El Universo reported the Guayaquil–Santa Elena fare on CICA at $6.25, and Primicias reported the Guayaquil–Santa Elena fare at $6.15. I have not found a separately published current figure labeled only “Guayaquil–Salinas,” so ask for that ticket by name. Treat those August 2026 figures as a mid-single-digit starting point, not a promise. Holiday weekends are busier; buy ahead if you can.
There is also a newer station, Terminal Terrestre Municipal Costa, which the Municipality of Guayaquil opened on January 7, 2026, at kilometer 33 of the Vía Perimetral, before the Panteón Metropolitano. Official hours are 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. The municipality said it opened with cooperatives including Libertad Peninsular (CLP), Costa Azul, and Liberpesa, and that it connects travelers with destinations including Salinas, Montañita, and Olón. If you are already on that side of the city, it can be a convenient place to board. From the airport, the usual first step is still an official taxi to the main Terminal Terrestre. If you land late, remember that Terminal Costa’s published hours end at 9:00 p.m., while some departures from the main terminal are listed later than that.
From Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Salinas
Official airport taxis can also make the whole trip to Salinas. Ask for the fare to your exact address before you get in, and confirm that the price is for the whole car. Published third-party estimates vary widely, so I will not invent a “standard” price.
I drive myself from the airport. If you do not have a car, use the Ruta del Sol service, a reserved shuttle between Guayaquil and Salinas. Confirm the current pickup arrangements and price directly when you book, including whether they can meet you at Guayaquil Airport (GYE). I am not quoting a fare or a schedule here, because those details change.
If you are not driving, there are three ways to do it. Have your hotel call a taxi to take you to the Ruta del Sol departure point in Guayaquil. Take a taxi to the bus station near the airport and ride an intercity bus to the Santa Elena bus terminal (Terminal Sumpa), then a referral taxi into Salinas. Or pay a taxi to take you all the way to Salinas. For a first-time visitor, or anyone who does not speak Spanish, that last option is probably the best.
If you land late
If your flight arrives after dark, I would not start the trip to Salinas, Ecuador, that night. Sleep in Guayaquil and continue in the morning. That advice, including a hotel we sometimes use near the airport, is in Arriving in Salinas, Ecuador.
FAQ
Do I need a car in Salinas, Ecuador?
Not necessarily, especially if you are staying near the malecón. Ulvia and I usually drive, but taxis and local buses cover many daily needs.
How much is the local bus?
As of August 2026 news reports after the ANT adjustment, about $0.50 inside the same canton, $0.60 between neighboring cities such as Salinas and La Libertad, and $0.70 from Salinas to Santa Elena. Check the current price when you board.
How do I get from Guayaquil Airport to Salinas by bus?
Take an official airport taxi to Terminal Terrestre Jaime Roldós Aguilera, then buy a ticket from a cooperative such as Liberpesa, CLP, or CICA. In my experience, those buses drop you at the Santa Elena bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre de Santa Elena), also called Terminal Sumpa, not in central Salinas. From there, take a referral taxi. Check the current fare at the window.
How long is the trip from Guayaquil?
About 140 kilometers. By car it is typically around two hours, depending on traffic and your exact destination. The bus is in the same ballpark, plus time to reach the terminal and, if needed, to continue from Santa Elena or La Libertad.
Does Uber work in Salinas?
Uber lists Salinas as a city where you can request a ride, but I do not use Uber, inDrive, or other ride apps here. I use referral taxis called by the hotel or by the condo guards (guardias), and that is what I recommend.
Should I travel at night?
I would not, if I could wait until morning. Plan the Guayaquil-to-Salinas trip in daylight.
Sources
Municipality of Salinas, “Qué hacer y visitar” (about 140 kilometers from Guayaquil): https://www.salinas.gob.ec/index.php/turismo/que-hacer-y-visitar
TAGSA, José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport, authorized taxi service (24/7 official taxis at domestic and international arrivals; cash or card at the cooperative office; phones +593 4 216-9141 / 216-9142 and mobile +593 9 6015-5142; fare sheet may change): https://www.tagsa.aero/en_taxis.html
Rome2Rio, Guayaquil Airport to Salinas (road distance about 143.5 kilometers; driving time around 1 hour 50 minutes; Liberpesa, CLP, and CICA listed among bus operators to Santa Elena): https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Guayaquil-Airport-Ecuador/Salinas-Provincia-de-Santa-Elena-Ecuador
Liberpesa, routes and frequencies (Guayaquil and Santa Elena service from 3:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.): https://www.liberpesa.com.ec/index.php/servicios/rutas-y-frecuencias
Liberpesa, contact page (Compañía de Transporte Liberpesa; ticket office at Terminal Terrestre Jaime Roldós Aguilera, (04) 213-3030; Terminal Terrestre Sumpa, Santa Elena): https://www.liberpesa.com.ec/index.php/contactenos
Terminal Terrestre de Guayaquil, Liberpesa schedules (Salinas listed as a destination; departures from 3:20 a.m. to 10:20 p.m.; phone (04) 213-3030): https://terminalterrestredeguayaquil.com/cooperativas/liberpesa/
CLP, official site (routes Guayaquil–Santa Elena and Guayaquil–Montañita–Olón; ticket offices in Guayaquil and Santa Elena): https://clp.com.ec/
CICA, direct passenger service (Terminal Terrestre Santa Elena, Terminal Terrestre Guayaquil, and Terminal Vía a la Costa; daily 3:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; every five minutes): https://www.cica-ec.com/index.php?Itemid=175&id=10&option=com_sppagebuilder&view=page
CICA, “Quiénes somos” (full name Cooperativa Intercantonal Costa Azul): https://cica-ec.com/index.php?Itemid=173&id=5&option=com_sppagebuilder&view=page
Municipality of Guayaquil, January 7, 2026, opening of Terminal Terrestre Municipal Costa (km 33 Vía Perimetral, before the Panteón Metropolitano; hours 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; cooperatives including Libertad Peninsular CLP, Costa Azul, and Liberpesa; connections including Salinas, Montañita, and Olón): https://guayaquil.gob.ec/terminal-terrestre-municipal-costa-inicia-operaciones-conectara-miles-pasajeros-diarios/
El Universo, August 1, 2026, new ANT interprovincial fares (Guayaquil–Santa Elena on CICA, $5.00 previous / $6.25 current): https://www.eluniverso.com/guayaquil/comunidad/va-a-viajar-revise-las-nuevas-tarifas-de-las-principales-rutas-interprovinciales-del-ecuador-nota/
Primicias, August 6, 2026 (Guayaquil–Santa Elena fare reported at $6.15; intracantonal fares $0.50 same canton, $0.60 Santa Elena–La Libertad or La Libertad–Salinas, $0.70 Salinas–Santa Elena): https://www.primicias.ec/sociedad/santa-elena-gremio-turistico-preocupacion-alza-pasajes-feriado-ecuador-129739/
Expreso, August 6, 2026 (Terminal Sumpa to Salinas $0.70; between cities $0.60; inside the same city $0.50, following the August 1 ANT adjustment): https://www.expreso.ec/ecuador/santa-elena-libertad-queda-transporte-urbano-291736.html
El Universo, February 13, 2026, Carnaval bus-fare report (Liberpesa described as covering Montañita, Olón, and Santa Elena; CICA service toward Santa Elena): https://www.eluniverso.com/guayaquil/comunidad/feriado-de-carnaval-estos-son-los-costos-de-pasajes-desde-guayaquil-a-balnearios-de-playas-salinas-y-manta-nota/
Uber, official Salinas, Santa Elena city page (requests described as available in the app): https://www.uber.com/global/en/r/cities/salinas-santa-elena-ec/
DiDi Ecuador, Guayaquil driver page: https://web.didiglobal.com/ec/conductor/ciudades/guayaquil/
El Telégrafo, March 15, 2023, Cabify ended operations in Ecuador: https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/nacionales/210/cabify-dejo-de-operar-en-ecuador
Some links are affiliates (GetYourGuide, Amazon, Booking.com). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is not legal, tax, immigration, medical, or insurance advice. Full disclaimers.