Guayaquil

Understand

Guayaquil is a sea port, and its personality derives much from that fact. Also, the climate is hot and humid. These two factors give the city a 'Caribbean' soul, where foreigners are usually well received, tropical music rules and seafood is a must do. An old travel book once counted the attractions in Guayaquil as one: "The Public Cemetery". Not so, anymore; the city has undergone a great change as a result of great efforts made by the city administrators. Now you can find great parks and green areas all over the city (for example Peñas and the Malecon), and the city has a new look which attracts tourism from inside and outside the country.

See

These places are located in the downtown area, near the main hotels and at the heart of the regenerated area, a very secure walk.

The . It is a long park beside the chocolaty Rio Guayas ("Guayas River"), with shops, an IMAX theater, gardens, and a beautiful view of the river and downtown. From north to south: La Planchada - a bastion sort of point with cannons that could be fired at pirate ships. MAAC : Museo Antropológico y de Arte Contemporáneo Museum - contemporary art, ceramics, archaeological exhibits. Cinemamalecón - 4k streaming in a 3D movie theater LA PERLA "Rueda Moscovita" - Ferris wheel Jardines del Malecón Simón Bolivar Hemicycle De La Rotonda - a tribute to the 1822 session between liberators Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín. Torre Morisca - 1930s octagonal clock tower. Muelle "Barco Pirata - Henry Morgan" - where a touristy pirate ship docks. Centro Comercial Malecón - riverside shopping center. thumbnail|Art in the city The is next to the "Estero Salado" (an estuary of sea water). Here you can enjoy fresh air and wonderful sunsets, lighted fountain and bridgeworks, with local food and market pavilion, and a safe parkway, with a few happy iguanas. The renewed downtown area (Area regenerada), very secure to walk and look around: - natural history, ethnography, local relics. - 16th-19th century colonial paintings and artwork. - several giant paintings on the outside of the building. - home to hundreds of iguanas. - park and column celebrating the centennial …

Do

"Captain Morgan", rides up and down the Rio Guayas aboard a pirate ship. You can catch it at Malecon Simón Bolivar. Bring out your inner pirate. Traditionally, Salinas has been the main beach, but since 2008 General Villamil Playas has attracted a big part of the local and international tourism. Fishing, surfing, and other water sports. Many modern hotels and delicious sea food. Interesting night life. Wonderful whalewatching during June to September. These are both quite a distance from the city, along the coast.

Buy

There are about 20 malls in the city. A nice place to buy is Via Samborondon.

Mall del Sol Mall del Sur Riocentro Norte City Mall Riocentro Los Ceibos Riocentro Sur Riocentro Entreríos San Marino Alban Borja Garzocentro Policentro Village Plaza, near Riocentro Entreríos.

Besides that, there are several popular spots like: Mercados Artesanal La Bahia, just off the southern end of the Malecon Simón Bolivar. Huge market area full of shops and stalls of almost anything imaginable. Because it is so cheap you will have lower social class people and have to be a little careful with belongings.

Eat

There are many traditional dishes to try, such as encebollado, seco de pollo, ceviche, and caldo de salchicha. There are also many international fast food chains throughout the city such as Burger King, Wendy's, KFC, McDonald's, Taco Bell and Pollo Tropical. Parrillada del Ñato; foods such pizza, grilled meat, and more are served. Chinese restaurants (Chifas) are found throughout the city, and their food is very good. 'El Patacón' restaurant in Urdesa serves local cuisine, mostly based on verde (green bananas also known as 'Plátano Macho' in Central America). Vegetarian food is not very common in Guayaquil, but there is a guesthouse in the Centro called Manso that serves quinoa and lentil hamburgers and other dishes that combine Ecuadorian ingredients in fast food format for veggies.

Drink

Great nightlife; you can go to 5 or more discos in one night, and don't need to travel much. The usual price for entering is $10-$15 consumable, depending on where you go.

Usually the parties there last to 04:00. but you can always find something else to do in this city. Visit the "Zona Rosa", located at the secure regenerated area, with several options of night life. Several brands of beer are available.

Sleep

The city has hotels for every pocket and decent hotel rooms can be had for around $10 a night.

Connect

There are cyber cafes around to communicate with distant friends and relatives. These often have telephone booths for making VoIP phone calls. Some malls (Mall del Sol, Riocentro Los Ceibos) even offer free Wi-Fi in the food courts, in addition to free entertainment. Buy $30 worth of groceries at Mi Comisariato and get a two for one coupon to the movies.

Stay safe

Guayaquil is considered to be a dangerous place as of 2018. There is violent crime, and women travelers should be particularly careful. The port area and south Guayaquil are especially dangerous. Be aware in Plaza Centenario, especially when it is very crowded. If going up the Las Peñas - use only the main, wide staircase. It is a favela, multiple armed robberies were reported by tourists on smaller streets and staicases there.

The U.S. Department of State warned in 2018 that: "Visitors should exercise extreme caution in the downtown area and the southern part of Guayaquil. Tourist sites -- the Christ statue (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) on Cerro del Carmen, the Malecon 2000, and Las Peñas -- though well-patrolled by police, are targeted by criminals hoping to prey on unsuspecting tourists. There have also been reports of armed robberies at restaurants in the Urdesa and Samborondon areas."

Always remain aware of your surroundings. Don't pay attention to anyone trying to speak to you on the streets, not even to wealthy-looking people or beggars. Avoid walking alone around the downtown area at night, especially off Avenue 9 de Octubre or well-lit areas. Don't flash money or valuable things in public. Never walk in suspicious areas. Guayaquil is especially dangerous at night, so avoid walking on streets at night.

Attacks have been reported where someone will distract the target so that the attacker can put a choke hold on the victim from behind and make the victim pass out in or…

Go next

Other places that you can visit are the beaches at Playas which is about 90 minutes away, and the more popular Salinas beach which is about two hours away up the Via la Costa.

Quito is about a 7-hour drive (less than an hour flight also for about $125 round trip, September 2009)

Cuenca is about a four hour drive (half-hour flight for about $120 round trip, September 2009) through beautiful and interesting scenery, including a mangrove preserve, cocoa and banana plantations, cloud forests and mountains.

Not too far out, perhaps 30-50 minutes, there is a beautiful cocoa plantation where they also make chocolate. The owners entertain tour groups by serving cocoa juice and plantain snacks before you are taken on a tour of the cocoa plantation right up to the final chocolate tasting. You are then entertained with a delicious local lunch. Absolutely fabulous! It is past the orchids farm on the same road. The cost is $110 per person when booked via tour operator Canodos. The tour operator is essential if you don't speak Spanish.