Which airport should I fly into for Esmeraldas?

For long-haul and international flights, Cotopaxi International Airport (LTX) is the main gateway near Esmeraldas. The closest airport, General Rivadeneira Airport (ESM), is the most convenient for transfers — weigh proximity against the breadth of flight connections.

How far is the airport from Esmeraldas?

The nearest is about 2 mi (4 km) away. The table above shows the distance and an estimated transfer time for each airport within about 300 km.

How do I get from the airport into Esmeraldas?

Most airports offer taxis and ride-hailing, and many add a rail, metro or bus link into the city. Tap any airport above for a full guide with ground-transport options, lounges and transit details.

Airports Near Esmeraldas

The closest airports to Esmeraldas, EC: IATA codes, names and distances, each with a full airport guide covering terminals, lounges and transit.

The nearest airport to Esmeraldas, EC is General Rivadeneira Airport (ESM), about 2 mi (4 km) away — roughly 8 min by road. For long-haul flights, the main international gateway is Cotopaxi International Airport (LTX).

Code	Airport	Distance	Transfer	Type
ESM	General Rivadeneira AirportTachina, Ecuador	2 mi / 4 km	8 min	Regional
TCO	La Florida AirportTumaco, Colombia	86 mi / 138 km	2 hr	Regional
UIO	Nuevo Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal SucreQuito, Ecuador	117 mi / 188 km	2 hr 43 min	Regional
BHA	Los Perales AirportBahia de Caraquez, Ecuador	120 mi / 193 km	2 hr 47 min	Regional
TUA	Teniente Coronel Luis a Mantilla AirportTulcan, Ecuador	135 mi / 217 km	3 hr 8 min	Regional
IPI	San Luis AirportIpiales, Colombia	137 mi / 221 km	3 hr 12 min	Regional
LTX	Cotopaxi International AirportLatacunga, Ecuador	147 mi / 237 km	3 hr 25 min	International
PVO	Reales Tamarindos AirportPortoviejo, Ecuador	149 mi / 240 km	3 hr 28 min	Regional

Distances are straight-line; transfer times are road estimates. "Type" flags major/international gateways.

Which airport is best?

For the shortest transfer, General Rivadeneira Airport (ESM) is the most convenient at about 2 mi out. If you're flying internationally or want the widest choice of routes, Cotopaxi International Airport (LTX) (147 mi) is the bigger gateway — worth the extra distance for long-haul or cheaper fares.

Getting to and from the airport

Taxis and ride-hailing serve every airport here, and the larger ones usually add a rail, metro or bus link into Esmeraldas. Allow extra time in peak traffic. For exact routes, times and fares, open the airport guide — start with ESM.

Hotels near the airport

For early departures or late arrivals, a hotel near ESM saves a stressful morning transfer.

Search hotels near ESM All hotels near Esmeraldas

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Other cities these airports serve

Travel tips

Compare the total door-to-door time, not just the airfare — a cheaper flight into a distant airport can cost more once you add the transfer. Check whether your airport has a direct train or metro before defaulting to a taxi, and for international arrivals, confirm any visa or transit rules in advance.

Frequently asked questions

The nearest airport to Esmeraldas is General Rivadeneira Airport (ESM), about 2 mi (4 km) away — roughly 8 min by road.