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Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador and is the country’s main port and financial center. Seafood and tropical music are abundant in this wonderful city, where foreigners are always well-received. Guayaquil was founded in the 16th century by Spanish conquistadors, and today is a popular location for fairs and international events. Guayaquil offers a wide selection of museums, historic neighborhoods, gardens and parks, and artisan markets. In addition to night clubs, student travelers will also be impressed by the city’s many cinemas and theater performances. There’s something for everyone in Guayaquil, so why not make this amazing city your next Latin American destination?

Guayaquil Pictures

Things to do in Guayaquil

While in Guayaquil, you should visit the recently renovated Malecon Simon Bolivar, a long park along the Guayas River featuring many shops, gardens, and a breathtaking view of the downtown area and the riverfront. The Museo Municipal is a great museum to visit if you are interested in viewing artefacts from the Inca and from earlier cultures who once inhabited Ecuador. The Mercado Sur, sometimes called the Crystal Palace, is a giant covered market periodically filled with art and other exhibitions. There are also many churches in Guayaquil that exhibit characteristic Spanish colonial architecture.

Nightlife in Guayaquil

At night, the Las Penas district at the north end of the Malecon is a safe and happening place to be, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and live music lining the street, and you can generally get a beer for less than a dollar. For those who like to go out clubbing, Guayaquil has an abundance of night clubs and discos. The Kennedy Mall alone has more than 14 night clubs. Although Ecuador is on the equator, shorts are generally not worn to clubs. The night scene in Guayaquil starts getting busy around 10-11pm. For those looking for a more relaxing evening, the Casa de Cultura has nightly showings of international films.

Dining in Guayaquil

Guayaquil features some great restaurants and delicious cuisine. Some traditional Ecuadorian foods you will find are encebollado, seco de pollo, ceviche, and caldo de salchicha. For those looking for American comfort food, Guayaquil also features a number of international fast food chains and an abundance of Chinese restaurants. Artur’s Cafe, in Las Penas neighborhood, has a local feel to it and is perched above the Guayas River. They serve drinks and plenty of authentic Ecuadorian food with live music on the weekends. And after a long walk along the Malecon, there’s no better place to relax and grab a bite to eat than Bopan, a restaurant featuring an extensive array of crepes, tortillas, sandwiches, and pastas.

Shopping in Guayaquil

Guayaquil features almost a dozen malls. The Malecon 2000 shopping center is one of the most popular shopping destinations for foreigners and locals alike. It features over a dozen restaurants and over 200 stores, with competitive prices ideal for student travelers on a budget. For souvenirs, try visiting one of the city’s many outdoor and indoor artisan markets, such as La Bahia.

Guayaquil Travel Tips

• Taxis are an easy and efficient way to get around Guayaquil, and they generally charge only a few dollars. Just be sure to agree on a price before getting into the cab.
• Be sure to visit Parque Seminario, which is a park in downtown Guayaquil that is popular with many tourists because of its iguanas.
• Take a walk around the Mercado Artesanal, the city’s largest artisan market where you can buy souvenirs from all over Ecuador.