In Ecuador, a great beach town is Montañita, especially if you like to surf. In general, Ecuador is pretty cheap traveling. A great option for a hotel on the beach is Balsa Surf Camp and Charo's (in town and by the beach).

Happy Travels,
Daniella - Latin America For Less

Hi Martha,
I would scratch Puerto Lopez and Manta. Ecuador has better towns and better beaches to visit. Salinas is about 2 hours by bus from Guayaquil and has lots of restaurants, shops, places to stay and the beach is nice. However it tends to get crowded during the months you want to be there.

Montañita, as Daniella suggested, is a great option too. I prefer it to Salinas. But the range of accommodations is not what you have in Salinas.

Depending on how much time you are spending on the coast you could easily do Salinas & Montañita. You also should spend one night in Puerto Lopez to do Isla de la Plata, but don't plan to spend your beach time there.
Best
Greg

p.s. If you need to know how to get to Salinas, Montañita or Puerto Lopez. Please let me know and I'll write you up detailed directions.

Thanks very much. I am going to try Montanita, as you have both suggested, even though I am not a surfer. I'll be there in Feb. - planning on flying from Quito to Manta and then getting ground transportation from there. I also decided to spend some time in Puerto Cayo.
Thanks very much!
Martha