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Carlos Concha Torres International Airport

Tachina, Ecuador

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SETN

ICAO

32 ft

Elevation

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Ecuador's Pacific coast gateway serving Esmeraldas province.

Location

Tachina, Ecuador

Carlos Concha Torres International Airport (IATA: ESM, ICAO: SETN) serves the city of Esmeraldas and the surrounding province on Ecuador's northern Pacific coast. Located in the district of Tachina, across the Esmeraldas River from the city center, the airport provides vital air connectivity to a region known for its Afro-Ecuadorian culture, beaches, and natural resources. The airport is named after Carlos Concha Torres, an Ecuadorian military and political figure who led a significant uprising in the Esmeraldas region in the early 20th century. It handles both domestic routes connecting Esmeraldas to Quito and limited international traffic, supporting tourism and commerce in the region.

Terminals

The airport operates a single terminal building handling both domestic and international passengers.

Getting to & from

Ground transport from the airport to Esmeraldas city center is available via taxi and bus, with the journey requiring a river crossing by bridge.

Airlines here

LATAM Airlines Ecuador and other domestic carriers have operated scheduled service connecting Esmeraldas primarily to Quito.

Notable facts

›Named after Carlos Concha Torres, leader of a 1913–1916 liberal revolt in Esmeraldas province.
›The airport is situated in Tachina, separated from central Esmeraldas by the Esmeraldas River.
›It holds international airport designation despite predominantly serving domestic routes.
›The Esmeraldas region is Ecuador's main petroleum export hub, influencing some cargo traffic through the airport.
›Runway elevation is approximately 32 feet (10 meters) above sea level.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (3 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

TAME

Routes

ESM → CLOEQ · E70

ESM → GYEEQ · E70

ESM → UIOEQ · E70

Aircraft operating here

Embraer 1703 routes

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City & Place Guide

Quiet riverside village gateway to Esmeraldas coast and mangroves

Tachina is a small community located just across the Esmeraldas River from the city of Esmeraldas in northwestern Ecuador. Sitting at the edge of the Pacific lowlands, it serves primarily as a transit point and a quieter residential alternative to the bustling provincial capital nearby.

The village is surrounded by mangrove ecosystems and tropical greenery, offering a glimpse into the natural richness of Esmeraldas Province. Visitors passing through often use Tachina as a base for exploring the coast, given its proximity to the Luis Alarcon de la Vela Airport and the road network heading toward beach destinations like Atacames and Same.

Tachina itself is unhurried and authentic, populated mostly by Afro-Ecuadorian communities whose culture, music, and cuisine give the area a distinct identity within Ecuador. It rewards curious travelers who take time to engage with locals rather than simply passing through.

•Esmeraldas River waterfront — scenic views and local fishing boat activity
•Mangrove channels nearby — kayak or boat through lush coastal ecosystems
•Luis Alarcon de la Vela Airport area — gateway revealing flat tropical landscape
•Local Afro-Ecuadorian neighborhoods — experience marimba music and vibrant street culture
•Proximity to Atacames beach — short drive to one of Ecuador's liveliest beach towns
•Esmeraldas city market — cross the river for fresh seafood and regional produce

Getting around: Tachina is best navigated on foot within the village itself, while inter-city travel relies on buses and shared taxis connecting to Esmeraldas city and coastal towns. Small motorized canoes ferry passengers across the Esmeraldas River affordably. Rideshares are not widely available, so coordinating with local taxi drivers is the most reliable option for reaching the airport or nearby beaches.

Best time: Visit between June and September during the drier months when humidity eases and travel along coastal roads is more comfortable.

Local food: Try encocado de camarón (shrimp in coconut sauce), tapao de pescado (fish stew with green plantain), and freshly fried corvina served at simple riverside comedores.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via ESM? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Ecuador from official government sources.

Ecuador visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →

Encyclopaedia

Colonel Carlos Concha Torres Airport is an airport serving the Pacific coastal city of Esmeraldas, capital of the Esmeraldas Province of Ecuador. It is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) east of the city, across the Esmeraldas River in the parish of Tachina. Established in 1940 as General Rivadeneira Airport, the airport was renovated between 2012 and 2013, receiving a new terminal and a lengthened runway.

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Entity data from open aviation datasets (OurAirports, OpenFlights) with AI-assisted editorial clearly marked. Always confirm time-sensitive details with the official airport website. Sources & verification