Crucita, Ecuador Faces Beach Erosion, Threatening Tourism and Local Economy

By Sandro Muñoz Avilez, ED Editorial.

March 22, 2026 • 1:15 PM • 4 minutes of reading

Crucita, a coastal town in the Portoviejo canton of Manabí province, Ecuador, has lost an estimated 50 meters of beach in recent years, impacting the real estate, tourism, and fishing sectors. Fishermen, merchants, and local authorities report a decline in investment, particularly in beachfront properties.

Disappearing Shoreline

“We no longer have a beach. We have to wait for the tide to go out to have a little beach since at high tide we don’t have one,” commented Jacinto Mendieta, a 75-year-old fisherman. He noted that the beach has shrunk from approximately 100 meters to less than 30 meters at low tide. Mendieta attributes the problem to the construction of breakwaters in nearby Manta and Jaramijó.

Economic Impacts

The loss of the coastal strip is affecting multiple economic activities, including tourism, fishing, the real estate sector, and salt production, according to Lorena Anton, a community leader. Several factors contribute to the erosion, including port constructions in neighboring beaches like Jaramijó, sand extraction over the past 40 years, and the incomplete execution of mitigation works associated with the fishing facilities dock.

Real Estate and Population Shifts

A coastal protection project, initially planned alongside the fishing facility construction, was not fully implemented. The southern area of Crucita is the most affected, with restaurants, hotels, and homes being put up for sale. “I estimate that half of the foreign residents who arrived in Crucita more than a decade ago have left ” Anton emphasized, highlighting the impact on the area’s population.

Changes in Productive Activities

The shrinking beach has also altered traditional practices. The processing of pinchagua (shark meat) is now conducted inland due to the lack of space on the beach.

Investment Trends and Local Government Response

Diana Castro, president of the parish Decentralized Autonomous Government, confirmed a decrease in investments in the southern area, linked to the beach loss and perceived lower profitability. However, northern sectors like Los Arenales, Los Ranchos, and Playa Tortuga are experiencing increased commercial activity, with new stores, restaurants, and compact tourist businesses opening. Investment in these areas remains focused on basic infrastructure.

Future Projects and Citizen Demands

The loss of beach has raised concerns about the security and viability of new investments. Community leaders recently convened a Citizen Assembly to request the national government to allocate resources from reconstruction funds for beach recovery projects. Technical studies for these projects are currently with the municipality of Portoviejo. The municipal administration is working to contract studies for the construction of a breakwater wall.