Playas, Ecuador

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Playas
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Ecuador
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Guayas
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latd=2 |latm=37 |lats=48 |latNS=S
longd=80|longm= 23|longs=24 |longEW=W
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Playas (officially known as General Villamil) is a town located in southwestern Guayas, Ecuador, by the sea. It is the seat of the canton of Playas, created in 1989.

As of the census of 2001, there are 30,045 people residing within canton limits. The city takes its official name from an independence hero.

There are important resorts and beaches in the city; hence the name Playas. Its distance from Guayaquil is approximately 96 km. Playas' nearest communities are Engabao, El Arenal, San Antonio, Data de Villamil and El Morro.

Cerro del Muerto is a tourist attraction on the "vía el Morro", where you can find "La Virgen de La Roca", (The Virgin on the Rocks) a sanctuary build several years ago in tribute to the Virgin Mary. The rocks of this mountain can easily be climbed and can let you see part of the Morro and the Pacific Ocean, which is a few kilometers away.

Via a Data is the road that leads you to Data, and eventually to Posorja. Through its first 12 km the beach is a little dangerous for swimmers, so take care. From this beach, you can appreciate the cargo ships that are guided by the "Practicos" avoiding the ships to get into the low waters while they enter through the Guayaquil Gulf.

At KM 13 in Data de Villamill is a Hosteria named 'Mercymar' (www.hosteriamercymar.com [http://www.hosteriamercymar.com] ) with nice rooms, swimming pool and restaurant.

Club Casablanca, at the northwest part of the city, is an exclusive club with swimming pool, tennis courts, sauna, spa, racquet/squash, bar, restaurant, and a private beach. Beside these facilities, you can rent small apartments by the sea cliff, with an incredible views of the Pacific Ocean.

Playas has a very small airport that does not even have a control tower, situated on Shangrilá zone, next to the old Casino. Another attraction are the famous "Empanadas de Playas", which are very tasty! Find them on the central part, two blocks from the main church and one block from the beach.