Guayaquil

Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city. It is home to the country's largest seaport. Guayaquil, with its industrial and commercial center, is located on the western bank of the chocolate-brown Guayas River about 35 miles from its mouth in the Gulf of Guayaquil.

This city is very different from its highland sister city and political rival, Quito. Here it is warm, bustling and noisy. You may not have the colonial charm of Quito, but the Guayaquileños are certainly more vibrant, colorful and accessible than the Quiteños.

Since 2000, Guayaquil has undergone a thorough renovation: everything is much cleaner and entire neighborhoods have been rebuilt. There is a new airport terminal and a new transport system: the metrovia. The central bus station has been rebuilt.

Although there is still a lot to be done in terms of safety and hygiene, especially in the non-tourist areas of the city, Guayaquil has become a very attractive city and the city authorities are working hard to promote tourism.

To visit: the Malecon (the 2.5 km long river dyke), the picturesque Las Peñas district, the city center, ...