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Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city, its busiest port and its leading economic engine. Although it was, for many years, an afterthought to visitors, travelers have now come to recognize Guayaquil as one of Ecuador's most fascinating, vibrant places. Its unique culture, cosmopolitanism, rapidly developing tourist infrastructure and intriguing attractions have begun to lure in visitors.
The city of Guayaquil was founded on the west bank of the Guayas river in 1538, on the site of an indigenous village. The city grew over the next 150 years, but that growth served to attract French and English pirates, who frequently attacked and looted the city. By the late 19th century, a boom in cocoa and other agricultural goods spurred further development in the city, and in the twentieth century the export of bananas through the city's port made it an economic dynamo. Guayaquil is also the home for many of Ecuador's leading companies.
Its status as a port city has made it impressively cosmopolitan. Traders and businesspeople from around the world visit Guayaquil, with many establishing permanent residence in the city. They have brought with them their customs, languages, cultures and cuisines. They have also created a city that is very welcoming to newcomers.
Though Guayaquil is Ecuador's most economically-active cities, some of its oldest and most distinguished neighborhoods had fallen into disrepair by the 1980s and 1990s. Subsequent mayoral administrations poured millions of dollars into urban renewal projects, aimed at restoring and beautifying several districts of the city.
Guayaquil is the entrance port to the Galapagos Islands. The flights coming from Quito and Cuenca stop here before flying onward to the Galapagos Islands. If you are short of time, taking a couple of days to discover Guayaquil before traveling onward to the Galapagos is a nice complement to your Galapagos tour and cruise.
Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city, its busiest port and its leading economic engine...
Guayaquil Attractions
• Malecón 2000
The waterfront malecón, or boardwalk, was once the center of social life in Guayaquil. It had fallen into disuse in the late 20th century, but an ambitious program of restoration and new construction has turned it into the must-see attraction in Guayaquil.
The Malecón 2000 stretches for roughly 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) along the banks of the Guayas river. Its course is marked with gardens showing off the native plants of the region. It is a pleasant and perfectly safe place to walk, and it links some of the cities major attractions: the Anthropology and Contemporary Art Museum, the Planetarium and the IMAX theater. The central highlight of the boardwalk is the Rotonda, a massive whispering monument dedicated to Simon Bolívar and José San Martín, who met in Guayaquil during the Wars of Independence. Nearby, you will find the clocktower, built in a traditional Moorish style. At the southern end of the Malecón, the Mercado Sur is a study in early 20th-century glass architecture.
• Malecón del Salado
Guayaquil's newest boardwalk, the Malecón del Salado picks up where the Malecón 2000 leaves off. Overlooking an estuary and the Gulf of Guayaquil, the Malecón del Salado is one of the best places in the city to take in a sunset. The boardwalk also has cultural spaces, seafood restaurants, parks and gardens spread across its half-kilometer course.
• Las Peñas
Las Peñas is one of Guayaquil's oldest and most traditional neighborhoods. It was the home of several presidents, and many of its fine wood homes have withstood fires, earthquakes and pirates. These days, they gleam under fresh coats of paint and house classy and elegant restaurants. Located near the Malecón 2000, this is a wonderful place for a stroll. Look out for the cannon marking the entrance to the district.
• Cerro Santa Ana
Cerro Santa Ana was once a notorious slum, but now it is one of Guayaquil's hippest and chicest neighborhoods. Climbing the flank of a hill overlooking the Guayas River, Santa Ana has dazzling views of the Malecón and the gulf beyond it. The neighborhood's bars, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries are linked by 440 steps, which lead to a scenic overlook at the top of the hill.
• Botanical Gardens
Guayaquil's botanical gardens display thousands of species of plants from across Ecuador, and they have a particularly impressive collection of orchids. Even if you can't tell a bromeliad from a restiad, the gardens are still worth a visit. Their hilltop location in northern Guayaquil has fabulous views across the city, and there is a geological museum on the premises, too. Guides are available to help point out the plants, as well as the hummingbirds and butterflies that are attracted by the flowers.
• Playita del Guasmo
In Guayaquil's southern sector, the Playita del Guasmo is a must-see for families. The swimming beach on the banks of the river has a gentle current, perfect for youngsters to cool off after a long day of sight-seeing. There are numerous inexpensive eateries lining the river, specializing in local seafood.
How to Get to Guayaquil
Because of its size and fortuitous geography, Guayaquil has some of the best transportation links in the country. Several highways lead into Guayaquil. Buses bound for virtually every city in the country leave from the gleaming new Terminal Terrestre, which is about 20 minutes by taxi from the center of the city. Nearby, the airport serves a handful of Ecuadorian cities and numerous international destinations. To navigate the city, you can use taxis, buses, or the new bus-rapid-transit system, called the Metrovía.
When to Visit Guayaquil
Guayaquil is always warm, though temperatures peak from November through January. The city has quite distinct green wet seasons and dry seasons, however. January through April are the rainiest months of the year, though the rain tends to take the form of quick, intense storms, and there is still plenty of sunshine. From July through October, you are unlikely to experience any rain at all. Guayaquil's biggest party, the fiestas julianas, make late July a great time to visit the city.
Guayaquil Budget
Guayaquil is a large, economically-significant city, so prices tend to be higher here than most places in the country. However, with careful budgeting, visitors can still get by on as little as $50-70 per day, while still taking in many of Guayaquil's attractions. Luxury travelers can easily spend hundreds of dollars per day in Guayaquil's swanky hotels, chic restaurants and cutting-edge stores.
