The Ultimate Guide To Guayaquil, Ecuador

Guayaquil is known as the gateway to the Galapagos Islands. The stunning Ecuadorian port city is home to a stunning coastline, colorful buildings, amazing cafes, top notch restaurants, and more. Guayaquil is more than a city to pass though on your way to the Galapagos. This ultimate guide to Guayaquil, Ecuador has everything you need to plan the perfect trip!

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About Guayaquil

Currency - Ecuador uses the US Dollar.

Safety - Overall Guayaquil is a safe destination to visit. Whenever travelling to a different country (especially South American countries) be sure to research the current events happening. In terms of petty crimes beware of pickpockets and keep an eye on your belongings. It is advised not to walk around at night - if you are going out to dinner take a taxi to and from the restaurant. The safest part in Guayaquil is the northern part of the city. Be particularly cautious in southern areas and El Guasmo district.

Plugs - Ecuador uses plugs type A & B

History - Guayaquil was founded in 1537 by a Spanish explorer. Soon after Guayaquil was founded it become one of the most important port cities in South America. In 1820 Guayaquil was freed of Spanish rule by an emancipation movement lead by José Joaquín de Olmedo. For more information on Guayaquil's history read this article.

Where To Stay In Guayaquil

Luxury Guayaquil Hotel

Hotel del Parque - Located in the Parque Histórico Guayaquil in Samborondón of Guayaquil, del Parque was the only luxury hotel I could find in Guayaquil. The glamorous Hotel del Parque is home to chic decor, comfortable rooms, three restaurants, a gym, a bar, twenty four hour front desk, amazing breakfast served daily, and more! Be sure to walk outside and around the property - it is surrounded by lush gardens!

Middle Range Guayaquil Hotels

Hilton Colon Guayaquil Hotel - The Hilton always provides clean and comfortable accommodations. At The Hilton Colon Guayaquil Hotel you will find an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, a bar, a lovely breakfast and more!

Casa Las Peñas Siglo XXI B&B - The Casa Las Penas Siglo XXI B&B is an abroadle bed and breakfast located in the heart of Guayaquil. At The Casa Las Penas Siglo XXI B&B you will find a outdoor pool, breakfast served daily, twenty four hour front desk, room service, spacious and stylish rooms, stunning views, and family rooms that can sleep up to seven people.

Hotel Boutique Mansion Del Rio - The Hotel Boutique Mansion Del Rio is a unique hotel with so much character and charm. At The Hotel Boutique Del Rio you will have view of the stunning Guaya River and Malecon 2000, breakfast served daily, twenty four hour front desk access, room service, and more. You will find great restaurants and activities right outside the Hotel Boutique Mansion Del Rio as well.

Budget Guayaquil Hotels

Luxva Hotel Boutique - Luxva is an adorable boutique hotel located in the heart of Guayaquil. At Luxva Hotel Boutique you will find an outdoor swimming pool, stylish decor, homemade breakfast daily, and twenty - four hour front desk service.

Hotel Murali (Cerca del Aeropuerto de Guayaquil) - Hotel Maurail is a great budget friendly option in Guayaquil that is near the airport. At Hotel Murali you will be met with clean and spacious rooms along with friendly and accommodating staff.

What To Do In Guayaquil

Malecon 2000

This guide to Guayaquil would not be complete without a mention of Malecon 2000. Malecon 2000 is the name of the boardwalk that overlooks the Guayas River. While the river itself looks uninviting, Malecon 2000 is definitely worth checking out because of the monuments, sculptures, playgrounds, gardens, and more along the boardwalk. You can also find the large and colorful Guayaquil sign that is perfect for photos at Malecon 2000.

Parque Seminario

Located right in downtown Guayaquil you can find a stunning and unique Parque Seminario. The lush Parque Seminario is home to tons of iguanas, so if you are looking so see some massive, but harmless lizards checkout Parque Seminario. You can also find the stunning Guayaquil Cathedral at Parque Seminario.

Las Peñas

Las Penas is a viberate neighborhood in Guayaquil that is perfect if you are a fellow photographer. Located in the center of the city you will find colorful colonial buildings, cute cafes, restaurants, museums, art galleries, and shops in the Las Penas neighborhood. Las Penas has awesome nightlife as well.

While in Las Penas make sure to walk up Santa Ana Hill for stunning views, more cafes, and shops you can find along the way!

Visit the Food Markets

Any seasoned traveller loves a good market because it is the perfect place to learn more about the destination and the locals. The Caraguay Food Market in Guayaquil is home to over 750 vendors. At the Caraguay Food Market you can find fresh fruit stands, seafood, traditional Ecuadorian dishes, and pretty much and other food you can imagine.

Another amazing food market in Guayaquil is The Mercado Central. The Mercado Central focuses more on Ecuadorian food.

La Perla

La Perla is located right in downtown Guayaquil on the Guaya River and is one of the largest ferris wheels in all of South America. Only costing 3.00 usd per ride, you can find amazing views of all of Guayaquil from the top of the ferris wheel.

Visit The Cloud Forest

The Cloud Forest is a stunning mountain range in Ecuador that happens to be within driving distance of Guayaquil. At the Cloud Forest you can swim in waterfalls, hike on trails, bird watch, and so much more. Doing a guide tour with transportation to the cloud forest is you best bet, as it can be very dangerous to hike in a foreign country, especially one with so much dangerous wildlife, like Ecuador. This guided Cloud Forest Tour is lovely.

Visit a Cocoa Farm

Did you know that some of the best chocolate in the world comes from Ecuador? The best way to learn more about the chocolate and the process of making it is by visiting a cocoa farm. We visited the Cumandá Agrotourism farm to learn all about Ecuadorian chocolate. I did this tour and we got to make our own chocolate and have lunch at the farm.

Best Tours To Take In Guayaquil

Day Trip: Meet Howler Monkeys at Churute & Make Organic Chocolate - On this exciting tour out of Guayaquil you will have the opportunity to see monkeys in the jungle and make home make organic chocolate in the Churute Ecological Reserve near Guayaquil. You will also be served lunch on this tour.

Cloud Forest - I touched on this Cloud Forest tour before. The Cloud Forest is a must see while in this part of Ecuador and this tour is super fun.

Cocoa and Gastronomy Tour - Learn about the production of chocolate in ecuador from this full day Cocoa and Gastronomy Tour.

Wine Tasting Experience with Tasting Menu - Enjoy Ecuadorian wine from nearby vineyards in the wine tasting experience right in Guayaquil. You will be served all sorts of wines and small plates during this experience.

Guayaquil Layover Sightseeing Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transport - As I have mentioned before - Guayaquil is a popular stopover for the Galapagos Islands. If you have a long layover then this Guayaquil Layover Sightseeing Tour is perfect for you. You have the opportunity to see guayaquil and get back to your flight with Round-Trip Airport Transport.

Guayaquil City Tour - If you are looking for a simple city tour of Guayaquil this one is the best. This Guayaquil City Tour is affordable and will bring you to all of the best sights in the city.

Where To Eat In Guayaquil

Honestly Guayaquil doesn't have the best food scene, but I shout out what I think to be the best coffee shops and restaurants in the city. One up side to dining in Guayaquil is that it is pretty cheap compared to other big cities.

Coffee & Breakfast In Guayaquil

Sweet & Coffee - Sweet & Coffee serves up some of the best coffee in Guayaquil. Treat yourself to a sweet latte and cake or keep it simple with dark roast at Sweet & Coffee.

Comuna Cafe - Comuna Cafe is an adorable little coffee shop in the heart of Guayaquil. Be sure to try a latte and an omelette at Comuna Cafe.

Kawka Coffee - Kawka Coffee has everything coffee, breakfast and brunch. The aesthetically pleasing cafe serves up some of the beast lattes and waffles in the city.

Dinner & Lunch In Guayaquil

Restaurante Lo Nuestro - Looking to try some traditional Ecuadorian food? Restaurante Lo Nuestro is the perfect place to enjoy some delicious seafood cooked the Ecuador way. The moderately priced restaurant is a perfect option for dinner in Guayaquil.

Picanteria la Culata - Located right in downtown Guayaquil, Picanteria la Culata is an affordable restaurant the serves up amazing seafood and drinks.

PORTO Resto Bar - Porto is a fun and festive gastropub in downtown Guayaquil. In the evening you can find delicious food in more of a restaurant environment. If you go to Porto a bit later you will find that it is great place to go out and get a drink!

Al Fiume Cucina Italiana - If you are sick of Ecuadorian food, go to Al Fiume for some Italian. Serving up everything italy, Al Fiume is a great option for dinner in Guayaquil!

How To Get To and Around Guayaquil

The best way to get to Guayaquil is by flying into The José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport. You can find cheap nonstop flights from all over South America, Central America, The Caribbean, North America, and Spain. Airlines such as Iberia, Avianca, LATAM, Jetblue, American, COPA, Arajet, and Spirit operate flights to and from José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport.

If you are travelling from another destination in Ecuador, I still recommend flying because car or bus journeys can be dangerous in Ecuador.

In terms of getting around in Guayaquil you can take taxis, ubers, the metrovia, by bus, or by car. I would opt to use taxis and ubers because they are cheap and safe. The metrovia is a modern bus system that runs all over the city (mainly north to south and east to west) and costs only 25 cents per ride. Driving in Guayaquil's seems like it would be stressful and dangerous - lots of honking and fast driving.

When To Visit Guayaquil

You can visit Ecuador anytime of the year and have a lovely time. The most rainy months are March and April, but the rain is always light. The rainfall is at its lowest in the summer months (June - September). Ecuador is warm year round, so they get the most tourist in the winter as northerns escape the winters in South America!

Fun Fact - Ecuador is named after the Equator because it is located in the middle of the earth. The Equator runs right through Ecuador.

The Ultimate Guide To Guayaquil, Ecuador Wrap Up

While Guayaquil is most known as being a go between to the Galapagos Islands, it is definitely a city worth stopping in for a day or two on your way to the islands. I hope that this ultimate guide to Guayaquil helps you plan the best trip. If you liked this post I think you will love my posts all about Colombia and Paraguay!

Happy Travels,

Daisy