Located on the Pacific coast, Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador and an important economic and cultural center. In addition, it is a very popular tourist destination for its historical legacy, the charm of its neighborhoods and the natural beauty of its surroundings. The main tourist attraction is the Malecon 2000, but there is much more to see in Guayaquil. It is a vibrant and exciting city with a rich heritage. If you get the chance to visit it, you won’t regret it.
At Passporter we prepared this post about Guayaquil to help you organize your trip. We will share the must-sees and give you some tips on where to stay or where to eat. The city is known for its delicious cuisine with dishes such as ceviche, churrasco, encebollado and rice with stew, among many others. Guayaquil has a lot to offer, so read on and enjoy your trip.
What are the best things to do in Guayaquil?
1. Cruise down the Guayas River
One of the favorite activities of tourists visiting the city is traveling along the Guayas River on a cruise. There are several boats, but one of the most fun is the pirate Henry Morgan’s. On the tour you will be able to enjoy the city from a unique perspective and see the main monuments. The tour costs $7 and lasts approximately 1 hour. It is a perfect plan to do with children.
2. Metropolitan Cathedral of Guayaquil
The Guayaquil Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the few buildings that remain from the colonial era. Although it was originally built in 1547, it was reconstructed in the 20th century in the Gothic style after a fire.
The cathedral is located in a corner of the Seminario Park, and is one of the most beautiful in Ecuador. Admission is free and the cathedral is open every day from 9:00h in the morning.
3. Seminario Park or Park of the Iguanas
The official name is Parque Seminario, but everyone calls it Parque de las Iguanas because of the number of iguanas that lurk in the park. This small garden of tropical plants is home to parrots, iguanas and turtles and is an iconic place and a must-see in the city. In addition, it is usually a meeting point for tourists and guided tours since in the surrounding area you can find some important buildings such as the Metropolitan Cathedral.
4. Malecon 2000, a must-see in Guayaquil
The famous Malecon 2000 is a 2.5 km long river walk surrounded by gardens, monuments, stores and restaurants. This pleasant promenade was built in 2000 to make the Guayas River’s fluvial area useful for a multitude of activities.
The promenade is always very lively. And it is a very safe place because it is fenced and there is a strong police presence. In the evenings it closes, so be careful not to be inside at closing time.
5. Las Peñas, the most bohemian neighborhood of the city
Located at the foot of the Santa Ana hill, this colonial-style neighborhood was originally the residence of fishermen and artisans. Today it is one of the neighborhoods with character and it attracts more tourists each year. Las Peñas is a beautiful place where great artists such as Hemingway, Neruda or Che Guevara, lived.
The neighborhood was renovated in the early 21st century, so it’s a place full of stores, restaurants and nightlife. Whatever time of the day you go there, we’re sure to love it.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Guayaquil
1. Santay Island
Santay Island is a perfect place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city. Although it is close to the island, it is surrounded by nature and shut to traffic. To get to the island you will have to walk across the 850-meter long pedestrian bridge that crosses the Guayas River.
On the island you will find more than 100 species of birds that live among mangroves in the tropical forest of the island. In addition to hiking trails you can rent a bike there.
2. Isla de la Plata, a perfect day trip
40km away from the coast of Guayaquil lies the Isla de la Plata, also known as the Small Galapagos for its rich marine biodiversity. Sharks, whales, turtles and many more marine species live in its waters.
From Guayaquil you can hire a private tour that will take you to the island for hiking, snorkeling among sea turtles and whale watching. The tour lasts about 7 hours and is well worth it.
3. Beaches near Guayaquil
From Guayaquil you can reach several paradise beaches where you can relax in the sun and cool off in the sea. Some of the closest are the Playita del Guasmo and Alegria beach. But if you want to see more spectacular beaches you will have to take the car to get to Salinas, Punta Carnero, Playas, Ballenita and Ayangue. We recommend you to pack your picnic bag and spend the whole day discovering the beaches around the town of Salinas.
What to do in 1 day in Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a lot to offer, so one day will not be enough to enjoy the city to the fullest. Our recommendation is to spend at least 2 days to visit the city and 2 or 3 more days to see the surrounding area. The city is a marvel, but the surroundings are even more so. That’s why we recommend booking tours to discover the natural charms of the country, such as snorkeling with turtles in Isla de la Plata or whale watching.
If you only have 24 hours in Guayaquil the must-sees are the Malecon 2000, the Park of the Iguanas, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Peñas and the hill of Santa Ana. We also recommend you to dedicate some time to try the wonderful Ecuadorian cuisine. Below you will find some restaurant recommendations for you to eat like a king.
Where and what to eat in Guayaquil ?
The gastronomy of Guayaquil is very delicious and varied. That’s why we recommend you to find the time in your trip to sit down to eat well. Some of the most typical dishes are ceviche, encebollado, rice with stew and grilled meat, and churrasco. You can also enjoy a wide variety of tropical fruits and natural juices. Here are a few of our favorite restaurants in the city:
- La Pepa de Oro: in this restaurant the Ecuadorian food is delicious and very well prepared. The price ranges from 7€ to 26€.
- Marrecife Marisquería: is the best place to try the seafood specialties of Guayaquil. The food is delicious and does not exceed 26€.
- Embarcadero 41: This restaurant also serves seafood and fish-based dishes, but with a Peruvian twist. They also offer vegan options.
Where to stay in Guayaquil?
When searching for accommodation it is important to look for safe neighborhoods that are well connected to the main attractions. The best neighborhoods to stay in downtown are the Malecón 2000 area, Urdesa, or the neighborhood of Samborondón, which is a more exclusive area. These are some of the best accommodations in those areas:
- Hostel Nucapacha: This hostel is an perfect place to stay at a very affordable price. For 18€ you can spend the night in a shared room. And private rooms start at 30€. The place has a garden and swimming pool.
- Hotel Perla Central: this 3-star hotel is located right in the center and is a really comfortable place to stay. In addition, it is very affordable. You can spend the night there for as low as 30€ and breakfast costs 2€.
- Luxva Hotel Boutique: This is a luxury hotel with all facilities. It has a garden, swimming pool and tennis court. The price per night starts at 70€.
How to get to Guayaquil
In Guayaquil you will find the José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport. From there you can get to the city center using the following ways:
- Taxi: at the airport exit you can take a cab which should not cost more than 5USD. The yellow cabs are official, while the others, although they seem more comfortable and modern, are non-regulated cabs.
- Train: next to the airport there is a train station that will take you anywhere in the city. It runs daily from 5:00 am to 11:45 pm and trains pass every 10-15 minutes. The price is 0,25 USD.
- Private Vehicle: another option is to rent a car at the airport or book a transfer from your hotel.
Between the different cities of the country you can move by bus or private car. You can also fly from Quito as the city has its own airport.
What should I know before traveling to Guayaquil?
- The official currency of Ecuador is the U.S. dollar (USD).
- Spanish citizens do not need a visa to stay in Ecuador for up to 90 days.
- Always carry cash on you, not all stores accept credit cards.
- Have mosquito repellent on hand at all times.
- The official language in Ecuador is Spanish.
- The plugs have 120V voltage and A and B plugs, you will need an adapter.
- Guayaquil has a warm and humid climate year-round, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius.
- It is advisable to wear light, comfortable clothing, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent
- In Ecuador the warmest months are from June to October, and the rainiest months are March, April, October, November and December.
- The water is drinkable in Guayaquil, but we recommend drinking bottled water
- Always keep an eye on your belongings and take caution if you are traveling alone.
- Hedge against possible medical emergencies: travel insured
How to plan all the things to do on your trip to Guayaquil
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all of its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we listed in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers what to see in Guayaquil.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passport
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Guayaquil
From June to December any time is a good opportunity to go to Guayaquil.
Guayaquil has a warm and humid climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging between 25º and 35 º Celsius. For this reason, it is advisable to wear light and comfortable clothing, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent.
To explore the city you will need at least 2 days, but if you also want to visit the surrounding area we recommend spending between 4 and 5 days.
Water is potable, but tourists are advised to buy bottled water.
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