Guayaquil, the economic and commercial centre of Ecuador, is pulling out all the stops to become the ultimate tourist destination. The city is aiming to live up to its name – Perla del Pacífico (Pearl of the Pacific) – so that visitors passing through on their way to the coast or the Galapagos Islands will be tempted to come back and stay longer.




To experience colonial Guayaquil, visit the Las Peñas district. This is the only part of the city where the old, colourful houses have not been destroyed by fire. In recent years, many new bars and restaurants have opened their doors. This is a pleasant place to sit and enjoy the cooling breeze from the river.




In the centre of Guayaquil there are tame iguanas that live ‘in the wild’. They live in the Parque Bolívar, and some of them are more than a metre in length. The animals are used to people, so you are almost certain to spot at least one if you visit the park.




In Guayaquil, Malecón 2000 is the place to see and be seen. This riverside boulevard underwent extensive renovation in 2000 (one of the biggest urban renovation projects in South America). Since then it has become a popular spot, where locals come to walk and enjoy the gardens, children’s play areas and views of the river, and to visit the many new eateries and museums. The tourist office is located at Malecón (www.guayaquil.gov.ec).




Farra is the Guayaquil word for going out. And the place to go is the Kennedy Mall. In contrast to what the name suggests, this is not a shopping centre but a centre with bars and discos. Another ‘place to be’ is the Urdesa district, approximately 4 kilometres north-west of the old centre. Most of Urdesa’s clubs are to be found on Avenida Estrada.




Guayaquil is an important port and exporter of seafood. This is reflected in the local cuisine. Try encebollado, the locals’ favourite dish. Encebollado is a tasty soup with seafood, yucca and onions, served with popcorn and pieces of fried banana. Simple local restaurants are the best places to eat this dish. Or try the more luxurious Lo Nuestro (Estrada 903), set in an old villa that is full of ambience. There is live music on Fridays and Saturdays.




Even in the city centre, there are spacious, luxurious hotels. These include the Grand Hotel Guayaquil (www.grandhotelguiyaquil.com) which has, among other things, two squash courts, a swimming pool and a sauna. Or you could stay at a hotel in the suburbs, close to the airport. The Four Points Sheraton (www.fourpoints.com) has a swimming pool, sauna and restaurant.




One of Ecuador’s largest dance floors is in Guayaquil, but you have to be a salsa fan. El Jardín de la Salsa has an enormous dance hall for salsa lovers, but those who come to watch will enjoy themselves too. El Jardín de la Salsa on Avenida de las Américas is close to the airport.




Take a canoe trip into the mangroves in the Reserva Ecológica Manglares Churute, south-west of Guayaquil. In this 50,000 hectare reserve you can see water birds, dolphins and other exotic species. Book your trip in good time at the reserve’s information centre.

www.galasam.com.ec/churute.htm




As in many South American countries, the residents of Guayaquil are mad on football. When the local football clubs Emelec and Barcelona win at home, Avenida 9 de Octubre is filled with crowds of celebrating fans.




For the most up-to-date information, buy a local newspaper – El Telégrafo and El Universo both publish detailed programmes. Here you can also find details of films showing at the cinemas.




Short of time? Make sure you visit the Museo Antropológica y de Arte Contemporáneo (MAAC). This museum houses anthropological and archaeological artefacts as well as modern Ecuadorian objects and art. The MAAC also has a modern theatre where visitors can enjoy indoor and outdoor performances, concerts and films. The MAAC is located to the north of Malecón.

www.museomaac.com

More reasons to visit Quayaquil? Visit:
www.exploringecuador.com
www.visitaguayaquil.com/Establecimientos/98.gye