Guayas Province · Ecuador
Guayaquil travel guide
Guayaquil is a city in Guayas Province, Ecuador, home to about 2,650,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- GYE4 km · José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport
- Currency
- USDUnited States dollar
- Time zone
- America/Guayaquil
- Language
- Northern Quichua, Shuar, Spanish
About
About Guayaquil
Guayaquil, officially Santiago de Guayaquil, is the capital of Guayas Province and the seat of Guayaquil Canton. It is the largest city in Ecuador and also the nation's economic capital and main port.
Guayaquil is a sea port, and its personality derives much from that fact. Also, the climate is hot and humid. These two factors give the city a 'Caribbean' soul, where foreigners are usually well received, tropical music rules and seafood is a must do. An old travel book once counted the attractions in Guayaquil as one: "The Public Cemetery". Not so, anymore; the city has undergone a great change as a result of great efforts made by the city administrators.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Guayaquil
See
These places are located in the downtown area, near the main hotels and at the heart of the regenerated area, a very secure walk.
- Malecon Simón Bolivar
- Malecon del Salado
- Museo Municipal
- Museo Nahim Isaias
- Central Bank Building
- Parque Seminario
- Catedral Metropolitana De Guayaquil
- Parque Centenario
- Presley Northon Museum
- Faro Las Peñas (Mirador 360°)]
- Lookout Tower]
- Monumento Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Guayaquil
Do
- Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco
- Reserva Ecologica Manglares Churute
- Finca Cumanda
- El Lago Park
- Botanical Garden
- Zoo el Pantanal
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Guayaquil to stay in
The city has hotels for every pocket and decent hotel rooms can be had for around $10 a night.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Guayaquil
Guayaquil has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. December is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; March is the wettest, with about 310 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Guayaquil: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE), about 3.6 km from the city centre in a straight line; General Ulpiano Paez International Airport (SNC, 122 km) and Mariscal Lamar Airport (CUE, 127 km) are also within reach.
Getting around
Metrovía is a modern bus rapid transit (BRT) system that runs mostly from north to south and east to west of the city. The fare per ride costs 25 cents (as of 2017). You can use either cash or an electronic card (la Tarjeta Metrovía) to pay. It is a reliable and easy-to-navigate transport system; has modern buses and stops. It offers a good connection between downtown and to the main bus terminal and the airport. The Rio Daule terminal is across the street from the main bus terminal and some blocks away (around 15 minutes walking) from the airport.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
GYE · José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport
SNC · General Ulpiano Paez International Airport
CUE · Mariscal Lamar Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Guayaquil
Drink
Great nightlife; you can go to 5 or more discos in one night, and don't need to travel much. The usual price for entering is $10-$15 consumable, depending on where you go. Usually the parties there last to 04:00. but you can always find something else to do in this city. Visit the "Zona Rosa", located at the secure regenerated area, with several options of night life. Several brands of beer are available.
Stay safe
Guayaquil is considered to be a dangerous place as of 2018. There is violent crime, and women travelers should be particularly careful. The port area and south Guayaquil are especially dangerous. Be aware in Plaza Centenario, especially when it is very crowded. If going up the Las Peñas - use only the main, wide staircase. It is a favela, multiple armed robberies were reported by tourists on smaller streets and staicases there.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Guayaquil: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. December is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; March is the wettest, with about 310 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Guayaquil?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE), about 3.6 km from the city centre in a straight line; General Ulpiano Paez International Airport (SNC, 122 km) and Mariscal Lamar Airport (CUE, 127 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Guayaquil?
United States dollar (USD).
Nearby
Destinations near Guayaquil
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.