That was not my first trip to Ecuador; I had already visited the country on several occasions, but did not know much about the country, because the trips were always by plane. I heard that the bus trip to Ecuador was very exciting and full of places to visit, for that reason I decided to take a trip in company of my friends to Guayaquil. The trip started in Cali at 8:00 am and arrived at the bus terminal of the city at 2:00 pm, after a long 30 hour journey, with many stops in different cities in Colombia and Ecuador.
Guayaquil (officially Santiago de
Guayaquil) is the most populous and largest city of the Republic of Ecuador. From a tourist perspective, the city acts primarily as a transportation
gateway to the country, and the Galapagos Islands. While the city can be
skipped altogether, should you have a free day to spend here, there are a few
noteworthy things to do, as well as some terrific dining and nightlife options.
With very little knowledge about
the city, but with a great desire to know, we went out to enjoy the city. The
first challenge was finding a place to stay, and we had not made a
reservation before the trip. We were looking for a comfortable and economic
place, a reference point for visiting the main tourist sites in the city.
Where to stay?
Hotels and Hostels
There are very luxurious hotels,
but they are very expensive, so if you plan to stay for several days in the
city the best option is to stay in hostels. The two ideal places to stay are in
the downtown area, within a few blocks of the Malecon, or in the northern
suburbs, where you’ll have easy access to the bus terminal, airport, and
Western-style shopping malls. Regardless of which neighborhood you choose, you
can always hop in a taxi to get to the other.
Las Peñas – At the north end of the Malecon is a hill with old, colorfully painted buildings. Walk the 400 steps to the lighthouse at the top for good views of the city. The neighborhood is filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, and art galleries. It’s especially fun on a Friday or Saturday night, and is relatively safe.
Malecon 2000 – This huge urban development project has brought new life to the riverside in the city center. Several kilometers long, it’s best walked in the morning, or late afternoon, to avoid the heat. Along the way, you’ll see a shopping mall, some small restaurants, parks, playgrounds, and an IMAX theater.
Parque Seminario – Located at 10 de Agosto Ave & Chile Ave. From a distance this park looks like any other, filled with fountains and trees, however once you walk inside, you’ll notice the abundance of iguanas hanging out. It’s an odd sight, seeing such large iguanas in an urban environment amongst more typical pigeons.
Typical Food.
- Ceviche – A coastal favorite throughout Latin America, ceviche consists of raw seafood (fish, shellfish, etc.) marinated in citric juices, such as lime juice.
- Churrasco - Grilled steak seasoned with chimichurri, and served along with plantains, rice, French fries, a fried egg, and avocado.
- Encebollado – Fish stew containing cassava and red onion.
- Pan de Yuca – Bread made of cassava starch and cheese.
