Pedernales

This pocket-sized Pacific-coast town in Ecuador's Manabí province, Pedernales sits where the Marcos River meets the ocean, with mountains visible inland. Known locally as the "Genesis of Ecuador's name," it has a modest central core with cafés and restaurants. The town's economy runs on fishing and aquaculture, and it rebuilt itself after a major earthquake in April 2016 largely levelled it — a recovery completed within two years.

• Population5,983
• Nearest water0.7 km
• Nearest mountain25.2 km