Guayaquil Travel Guide
The Pearl of the Pacific
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Guayaquil is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, as well as that nation's main port. This tropical city the financial and commercial centre of the country.
Lying on the banks of the Guayas River, thirty miles inland from the Gulf of Guayaquil. The people of Guayaquil are outgoing and open; here the vibe is Caribbean, in marked contrast to Ecuador’s Andean region. Barrio Las Penas is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Guayaquil, whose wooden constructions have been beautifully restored, housing many art galleries, restaurants and bars. The city has undergone a complete transformation in recent years and becoming an appealing destination for visitors.
During the 18th Century, Guayaquil was repeatedly attacked and looted by English and French pirates and suffered great fires and epidemics of tropical diseases. Throughout the 20th Century the city sprawled in a fashion common to many Latin American metropolis, with shanty towns forming alongside the urban area and the municipality struggled to meet the needs of this excessive growth.
In the late 1990’s, however, the city of Guayaquil started an urban regeneration project, aimed to attract tourism, which has reconstructed the city at all levels including improving the city for pedestrians, renewing the parks, investing in the struggling sewer system and taking the previous overhead tangle of power and telephone lines underground. Guayaquil is now a beautiful city, with gorgeous public spaces, such as Centennial Park, in the centre of Avenue 9 of October and Simon Bolivar Park, also which is often known as Park of the Iguanas because they roam freely inside the park.
Guayaquil has successfully shaken of its former reputation and is now warmly appreciated by all who take the time to enjoy the city.
Attractions in Guayaquil
There are a number of interesting things to do and see in and around Guayaquil, including the waterfront Malecón 2000, the Historical Park, Botanical Garden as well as nearby Banana and Cacao Haciendas, Manglares Churute Mangrove Reserve and Cerro Blanco.
Activities in Guayaquil
The most popular activity for visitors is exploring the city on foot. It is also possible to enjoy water activities from the harbour or take a trip out of town to one of the nearby attractions.
Relaxing
Let your hair down at the ‘Kennedy Mall’ - the main centre for nightlife, which offers a variety of bars and discos and good restaurants in the area.
Getting Around
Taxis are the best way to get around in Guayaquil, these generally offer a good service and are inexpensive.
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