In Salinas, you might try Hotel Amira (hotel-amira.com, from $40 per person) — not on the beach but just a block or two from it and very nice. A driver that has been suggested to me (but I have no firsthand experience with) is a guy by the name of Will and his number is 0986992334 if you are in the country or — I believe — you would dial 011-593-86992334 from the States. They just changed the dialing protocol in Ecuador so if this doesn’t work, ask an operator to help you. Will speaks English.
Check out the itineraries in the Travel Section for details about other hotels along the coast, real estate agents, etc.
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