Suites Madrid

USD Dollars is the currency!

by jake5148

Due to some inflation issues the government of Ecuador got rid of the old money named Sucre and decided they would use the USD as their official currency. At least you wont worry about getting ripped off when you change money (at least the Americans won't)

Visit the Mangroves

by namastedc

Manglares Churute is a mangrove park about 30 minutes outside of Guayaquil. A visit to this park will leave you muddy, bug-bitten, and sweaty, by you just might get the chance to see the elusive pink dolphins.

The park is on the Via a Machala, on the left side of the road. There are signs, but look closely. There is a ranger station there, but to visit the mangroves you will have to set up a visit the day before because there is no formal system for taking out tourists. In fact, they just have a fisherman take you out instead of their nets.

The tour begins with a bumpy 25 minute ride through some of the most basic roads - but you will travel through beautiful villages and see day-to-day life going on all around you.

After a 500 meter walk through thick mud (wear boots) you arrive at the river, where the canoe picks you up for a few hours on the river.

This trip is not for the faint of heart - difficult access, uncomfortable seats, bugs, and the lot, but worth it if you have a good sense of adventure.

Habitat for Humanity

by namastedc

Habitat for humanity, as of last year, is active in Guayaquil and is often looking for volunteers to help build houses. If you are interested, this is a unique way to see a side of the city most tourists certainly will not! You will also be doing a very nice thing for a family that needs all the help they can get.

There is many thing to do in...

by dreamkapture

There is many thing to do in Guayaqui, cruise the Guaya River night or day, Museum and Central Park, Las Penas, El Parque Historico de Guayaquil(lots of exotic animal and fauna) and around Guayaquil Also.

I think Guayaquil is a great city to start you journey in Ecuador. You are only 1 hour to the closest beach, 4 hour to Cuenca, 5 hour to Banos, and 1 hour to Galapagos Islands

Guayaquil

by Joemidwest

Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador with a population of about 3 million. It has been mainly a business destination, but the relativley new Malecon 2000 is designed for tourism. This is located at the eastern edge of the city on the Guayas River. It is a strip about 1.5 miles long with interesting shops and restaurants.

"La Rotonda" is an impressive monument located near the entrance to the Malecon from 9 de Octubre. This monument depicts the meeting between Simon Bolivar and San Martin, both liberators who freed several South American countries from Spanish rule in the early 1800's. It is illuminated in the evening hours.

Guayaquil is a very modern port city. Most (90%) of Ecuador's imports and 50% of it's exports go through here. This is a view of Guayaquil taken from the steps of the oldest part of the city, Las Penas.