Guayaquil travel guide

Guayaquil Tourism | Guayaquil Guide

You're Going to Love Guayaquil

Modern, clean, and distinctly South American: that is Guayaquil. From the moment you touch down to the moment you take off again, this beautiful city will ensnare your senses and envelope you with its decadent cuisine, rich history, and vibrant streets.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Guayaquil

1. Check Out the Malecon Simón Bolivar

This lush park is situated right by the Rio Guayas and has great views of the river and downtown core of Guayaquil along with a gardens and an IMAX theater.

2. Trek the Santa Ana and El Carmen Hills

For breathtaking views of the city, you can brave 400 steps or so up a hill, right? Come during sunset for a natural spectacular show and rest at the top with some ice cream.

3. Visit the Parque Histórico

True to its name, this park features a historical re-creation of life in the early 20th century in Guayaquil.

4. Stroll about La Bahia

With its interesting street vendors and outdoor markets, La Bahia is the place to go for a stroll as well as bargain hunting.

5. Relax at Salinas or General Villamil Playas

When you've had your fill of the view and the parks, head to one of these picturesque beaches to relax, unwind, and work up a tan. Besides great food and nightlife, there is also the chance to whale-watch from June to September.

1. Check Out the Malecon Simón Bolivar

This lush park is situated right by the Rio Guayas and has great views of the river and downtown core of Guayaquil along with a gardens and an IMAX theater.

2. Trek the Santa Ana and El Carmen Hills

For breathtaking views of the city, you can brave 400 steps or so up a hill, right? Come during sunset for a natural spectacular show and rest at the top with some ice cream.

3. Visit the Parque Histórico

True to its name, this park features a historical re-creation of life in the early 20th century in Guayaquil.

4. Stroll about La Bahia

With its interesting street vendors and outdoor markets, La Bahia is the place to go for a stroll as well as bargain hunting.

5. Relax at Salinas or General Villamil Playas

When you've had your fill of the view and the parks, head to one of these picturesque beaches to relax, unwind, and work up a tan. Besides great food and nightlife, there is also the chance to whale-watch from June to September.

What to do in Guayaquil

1. Parque Histórico de Guayaquil: The Strand of The Pacific's Pearl

Situated just 2° south of the Equator on Ecuador's sultry Pacific coastline, the port city of Guayaquil is Ecuador's teeming commercial hub, its largest and most modern city, and humanity's sole transit point to the awe-inspiring nature of the Galápagos Islands. From Guayaquil's colonial era to the early 20th Century cocoa boom -- which was fundamental in the development of Ecuador's economy -- to the vast wildlife, unique traditions, culture, crafts and architecture of this low-lying city on the Guayas River, Parque Historico is a tranquil 20-acre park/zoo that beautifully links the deep historical significance of "La Perla del Pacifico" to its expansively modern future.

2. Cerro Santa Anna: She's Hoisted the Jolly Roger!

Back in the day, an approaching ship flying the black flag was sighted first from the vantage point of Cerro Santa Anna, or Santa Ana Hill: an iconic, 200-foot enclave offering a panoramic view of the city's surroundings. The site of the original Guayaquil settlement, you can follow the winding pathways dotted by shops, galleries and colorfully-painted hillside houses as you climb to the ancient fortifications and river-facing cannons that gallantly once tried to suppress those buccaneering cutthroats from the sea.

3. Malecon 2000: Ah, That Breeze!

The ideal place to catch a cool evening breeze on an after-dinner stroll, Malecon 2000 is a modern urban park and 1.5-mile riverside boardwalk featuring ornate gardens, fountains, museums, playgrounds and a small commercial center where you can grab a mean sangria, a delightful cup of domestic coffee or a delicious plate of cheesy, golden-brown potato patties called llapingachos.

4. La Rotonda: Too Big for Peru

Halfway along the Malecon stands Guayaquil's most impressive monument La Rotonda, which iconically depicts the mysterious 1822 Guayaquil meeting between Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín. Flanked by handsome fountains and brilliantly illuminated at night, the monument celebrates two leaders who shared the broad aim of liberating South America from Spanish control. Yet nothing is known about their discussions in Guayaquil. After their conference, Bolivar triumphed with the creation of sovereign states in Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama, while San Martin quietly slipped out of Guayaquil and history's limelight forever. One can only surmise that together the two giants of South American independence were too big for Peru.

5. Barco Pirata Morgan: Brave Captains and Fine Crews

Be part of a fine crew by taking a scenic, hour-long river cruise on a replica of the schooner captained by the infamous, swashbuckling privateer Henry Morgan. As the kid-friendly cruise takes in Guayaquil's most emblematic sites such as Barrio las Peñas, Malecon and Puerto Santa Ana as well as dancing, shows and open bar, Capt. Morgan's immortal words from the 1940s movie The Black Swan may even come to mind: "You do not vote pirates off the seas. You engage them, rake, and scuttle them. My lords and gentlemen, we have ships, brave captains and fine crews."

1. Parque Histórico de Guayaquil: The Strand of The Pacific's Pearl

Situated just 2° south of the Equator on Ecuador's sultry Pacific coastline, the port city of Guayaquil is Ecuador's teeming commercial hub, its largest and most modern city, and humanity's sole transit point to the awe-inspiring nature of the Galápagos Islands. From Guayaquil's colonial era to the early 20th Century cocoa boom -- which was fundamental in the development of Ecuador's economy -- to the vast wildlife, unique traditions, culture, crafts and architecture of this low-lying city on the Guayas River, Parque Historico is a tranquil 20-acre park/zoo that beautifully links the deep historical significance of "La Perla del Pacifico" to its expansively modern future.

2. Cerro Santa Anna: She's Hoisted the Jolly Roger!

Back in the day, an approaching ship flying the black flag was sighted first from the vantage point of Cerro Santa Anna, or Santa Ana Hill: an iconic, 200-foot enclave offering a panoramic view of the city's surroundings. The site of the original Guayaquil settlement, you can follow the winding pathways dotted by shops, galleries and colorfully-painted hillside houses as you climb to the ancient fortifications and river-facing cannons that gallantly once tried to suppress those buccaneering cutthroats from the sea.

3. Malecon 2000: Ah, That Breeze!

The ideal place to catch a cool evening breeze on an after-dinner stroll, Malecon 2000 is a modern urban park and 1.5-mile riverside boardwalk featuring ornate gardens, fountains, museums, playgrounds and a small commercial center where you can grab a mean sangria, a delightful cup of domestic coffee or a delicious plate of cheesy, golden-brown potato patties called llapingachos.

4. La Rotonda: Too Big for Peru

Halfway along the Malecon stands Guayaquil's most impressive monument La Rotonda, which iconically depicts the mysterious 1822 Guayaquil meeting between Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín. Flanked by handsome fountains and brilliantly illuminated at night, the monument celebrates two leaders who shared the broad aim of liberating South America from Spanish control. Yet nothing is known about their discussions in Guayaquil. After their conference, Bolivar triumphed with the creation of sovereign states in Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama, while San Martin quietly slipped out of Guayaquil and history's limelight forever. One can only surmise that together the two giants of South American independence were too big for Peru.

5. Barco Pirata Morgan: Brave Captains and Fine Crews

Be part of a fine crew by taking a scenic, hour-long river cruise on a replica of the schooner captained by the infamous, swashbuckling privateer Henry Morgan. As the kid-friendly cruise takes in Guayaquil's most emblematic sites such as Barrio las Peñas, Malecon and Puerto Santa Ana as well as dancing, shows and open bar, Capt. Morgan's immortal words from the 1940s movie The Black Swan may even come to mind: "You do not vote pirates off the seas. You engage them, rake, and scuttle them. My lords and gentlemen, we have ships, brave captains and fine crews."

1. Parque Histórico de Guayaquil: The Strand of The Pacific's Pearl

Situated just 2° south of the Equator on Ecuador's sultry Pacific coastline, the port city of Guayaquil is Ecuador's teeming commercial hub, its largest and most modern city, and humanity's sole transit point to the awe-inspiring nature of the Galápagos Islands. From Guayaquil's colonial era to the early 20th Century cocoa boom -- which was fundamental in the development of Ecuador's economy -- to the vast wildlife, unique traditions, culture, crafts and architecture of this low-lying city on the Guayas River, Parque Historico is a tranquil 20-acre park/zoo that beautifully links the deep historical significance of "La Perla del Pacifico" to its expansively modern future.

2. Cerro Santa Anna: She's Hoisted the Jolly Roger!

Back in the day, an approaching ship flying the black flag was sighted first from the vantage point of Cerro Santa Anna, or Santa Ana Hill: an iconic, 200-foot enclave offering a panoramic view of the city's surroundings. The site of the original Guayaquil settlement, you can follow the winding pathways dotted by shops, galleries and colorfully-painted hillside houses as you climb to the ancient fortifications and river-facing cannons that gallantly once tried to suppress those buccaneering cutthroats from the sea.

3. Malecon 2000: Ah, That Breeze!

The ideal place to catch a cool evening breeze on an after-dinner stroll, Malecon 2000 is a modern urban park and 1.5-mile riverside boardwalk featuring ornate gardens, fountains, museums, playgrounds and a small commercial center where you can grab a mean sangria, a delightful cup of domestic coffee or a delicious plate of cheesy, golden-brown potato patties called llapingachos.

4. La Rotonda: Too Big for Peru

Halfway along the Malecon stands Guayaquil's most impressive monument La Rotonda, which iconically depicts the mysterious 1822 Guayaquil meeting between Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín. Flanked by handsome fountains and brilliantly illuminated at night, the monument celebrates two leaders who shared the broad aim of liberating South America from Spanish control. Yet nothing is known about their discussions in Guayaquil. After their conference, Bolivar triumphed with the creation of sovereign states in Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama, while San Martin quietly slipped out of Guayaquil and history's limelight forever. One can only surmise that together the two giants of South American independence were too big for Peru.

5. Barco Pirata Morgan: Brave Captains and Fine Crews

Be part of a fine crew by taking a scenic, hour-long river cruise on a replica of the schooner captained by the infamous, swashbuckling privateer Henry Morgan. As the kid-friendly cruise takes in Guayaquil's most emblematic sites such as Barrio las Peñas, Malecon and Puerto Santa Ana as well as dancing, shows and open bar, Capt. Morgan's immortal words from the 1940s movie The Black Swan may even come to mind: "You do not vote pirates off the seas. You engage them, rake, and scuttle them. My lords and gentlemen, we have ships, brave captains and fine crews."

Where to Eat in Guayaquil

A local favorite that's also easy on the pocket, La Parrilla del Ñato is always packed. Enjoy authentic Ecuadorian dishes like grilled meats for around USD$10.

When to visit Guayaquil

Guayaquil in February
Estimated hotel price
$143
1 night at 3-star hotel
Guayaquil in February
Estimated hotel price
$143
1 night at 3-star hotel

Beginning in May and continuing through to December, Guayaquil experiences truly pleasant weather. Temperatures reach a peak of 82.4 in July. January to April is also warm but it's mostly rainy.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Guayaquil

Plane

If you're going to be landing at Guayaquil's José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE), you're in luck: it was voted the best South American airport. To get to the city center, take a taxi for around USD$3.

Train

Taking a train to Guayaquil is less about speed than it is about the actual journey. From Quito, for example, the journey includes meals and fares start at USD$50.

Car

Getting from Mancora to Guayaquil takes around seven hours in all. Use the Panamericana Nte. and Highway E25.

Bus

International operator Cruz Del Sur runs rides from other major cities and countries like Peru. A trip from Peru to Guayaquil is around USD$93, but from Mancora to Guayaquil, it is significantly cheaper, with prices around USD$28.

Plane

If you're going to be landing at Guayaquil's José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE), you're in luck: it was voted the best South American airport. To get to the city center, take a taxi for around USD$3.

Train

Taking a train to Guayaquil is less about speed than it is about the actual journey. From Quito, for example, the journey includes meals and fares start at USD$50.

Car

Getting from Mancora to Guayaquil takes around seven hours in all. Use the Panamericana Nte. and Highway E25.

Bus

International operator Cruz Del Sur runs rides from other major cities and countries like Peru. A trip from Peru to Guayaquil is around USD$93, but from Mancora to Guayaquil, it is significantly cheaper, with prices around USD$28.

Airlines serving Guayaquil

KLM
Good (824 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,284 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,611 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,253 reviews)
Air France
Good (972 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,533 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,845 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,469 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,636 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (4,449 reviews)
Air Europa
Good (312 reviews)
Avianca
Good (1,304 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (843 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (975 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (776 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (5,668 reviews)
JetSMART
Okay (75 reviews)
Wingo
Good (83 reviews)
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Where to stay in Guayaquil

Prosperina - a residential neighborhood with smaller, local restaurants and beautiful vacation homes.

Popular Neighborhoods in Guayaquil

La Bahia - right on the banks of the Rio Guayas is La Bahia, a picturesque port neighborhood with gorgeous parks like Parque Seminario and Parque Centenario.

Urdesa - a hub of trendy and upscale shopping malls, bars, restaurants, and clubs, Urdesa is lit up and alive at all times.

La Bahia - right on the banks of the Rio Guayas is La Bahia, a picturesque port neighborhood with gorgeous parks like Parque Seminario and Parque Centenario.
Urdesa - a hub of trendy and upscale shopping malls, bars, restaurants, and clubs, Urdesa is lit up and alive at all times.

Where to stay in popular areas of Guayaquil

Most booked hotels in Guayaquil

Radisson Hotel Guayaquil
5 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
$117+
Oro Verde Guayaquil
5 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
$159+
Wyndham Guayaquil Puerto Santa Ana
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
$171+
Unipark by Oro Verde Hotels
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
$115+
Wyndham Garden Guayaquil
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
$113+
TRYP by Wyndham Guayaquil
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
$131+

How to Get Around Guayaquil

Public Transportation

Locals rely on the Metrovia, a rapid bus transit system. A single adult fare is USD$0.25 and a monthly pass is USD$10.

Taxi

Taxis in Ecuador are recognizable as "standard" yellow cabs or "taxi amigos", which are a pre-booked service. If it's not metered, make sure to agree on a price before getting in. Metered fares start at USD$1 and it's USD$0.62 per mile thereafter.

Car

Car rentals in Ecuador are readily available from companies like Ace Rent A Car and Alamo, with per-day prices starting at USD$18 to USD$29 for a compact, economy rental.

Public Transportation

Locals rely on the Metrovia, a rapid bus transit system. A single adult fare is USD$0.25 and a monthly pass is USD$10.

Taxi

Taxis in Ecuador are recognizable as "standard" yellow cabs or "taxi amigos", which are a pre-booked service. If it's not metered, make sure to agree on a price before getting in. Metered fares start at USD$1 and it's USD$0.62 per mile thereafter.

Car

Car rentals in Ecuador are readily available from companies like Ace Rent A Car and Alamo, with per-day prices starting at USD$18 to USD$29 for a compact, economy rental.

Car hire agencies in Guayaquil

Avis

Avis

Budget

Budget

Sixt

Sixt
Find car hire in Guayaquil

The Cost of Living in Guayaquil

Shopping Streets

Within the Urdesa neighborhood, there are plenty of upscale shopping spots such as Aventura Plaza and Mall del Sol.

Groceries and Other

A quart of milk costs USD$1.13 and a dozen eggs will run you about USD$2.

Cheap meal
$8.22
A pair of jeans
$117.01
Single public transport ticket
$0.50
Cappuccino
$3.91
Other popular cities in Ecuador