Our First Stop in Ecuador
Sometimes not having a plan and simply going wherever the wind takes you when travelling really pays off, which is exactly how our brief stop-over in Guayaquil came to be.
Adam and I wanted a few days of rest after a couple of very hectic weeks in Colombia. Ecuador was to be our next country to explore and Guayaquil, with its warm climate and relatively cheap accommodation, looked to be a great first stop.
The city does have a reputation of being one of the more dangerous in Ecuador – which may explain why we saw virtually no western tourists – but our trip was trouble free. In fact, we had a really great experience throughout our stay.
Being the largest city in Ecuador, Guayaquil has a lot to offer visitors – great nightlife, good food and some pretty fabulous places to stay and relax.
Here is how we spent our 72 hours in Guayaquil…
Stay at Luxva Boutique Hotel
Behind a very elusive (but equally grand-looking) doorway on a very unassuming side road hides a little oasis in the form of Luxva Boutique Hotel! It boasts affordable accommodation for backpackers and comes with the added luxury of a pool, a jacuzzi and a free breakfast.
I don’t exaggerate when I say that it literally feels like you are staying in a little secret oasis in the middle of a city. The hotel is next to a river and is surrounded by lush foliage which attracts lots of birds, particularly in the morning.
Luxva also only has 14 rooms, which means it’s very quiet, perfect if you feel a little worse for wear after a long period of hostel hopping. Here you can really take the time to soak up some sunshine, go for a swim and relax.
Address: Av. Circunvalación Sur 209-203, Guayaquil 090511
Walk On The Aptly Named Zig-Zag Bridge
It’s a shame I don’t own a drone as I would have definitely captured a view of the Zig-Zag bridge from above. The very aptly named bridge is a feat of engineering for sure and looks just as it is described to be – in zig-zag form!
Located just a short stroll away from Luxva Boutique Hotel, Guayaquil’s most unique pedestrian bridge connects the University of Guayaquil with the Linear Park (or Parque Lineal Del Estero Salado) across the Salado estuary.
During the day, the bridge is a very quiet spot in the city with great views of the estuary and in the evening it comes to life with locals setting up stalls selling everything from shoes to pet accessories and jewellery.
Walk Off Your Breakfast At Parque Lineal Del Estero Salado
Linear Park is a very unique formation of pathways that extends to an impressive 8km loop around the Salado estuary. The walking trails maneuver through ponds, mangroves, parks and frangipani trees. It is a fab location for trailing along the outskirts of the city as the views overlooking the water are stunning.
Stroll Along Malecón 2000
Malecón 2000 is a 2.5km long boardwalk overlooking the Guayas river and was created as part of an urban renewal project generated by the city. We spent half a day here walking back and forth soaking up the views and people watching.
It felt very safe with plenty of police and security about. We visited during the summer holiday season which meant that it was filled with families enjoying their holidays, which gave it a really relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
From a petting zoo to a ferris wheel and lots of little eateries and street vendor stalls, it’s very reminiscent of seaside attractions back in the UK. You will see a mixture of the old and new style buildings here too.
Pay A Visit To Las Peñas
At the end of Malecón 2000 you will find Las Peñas. This is the oldest neighbourhood in Guayaquil and is named after the limestone rocks that formed the hill when the Spanish settled in the area.
I discovered that the neighbourhood had been destroyed by fires on several occasions and then rebuilt, transforming the architecture there over time. While houses may appear to be from the 18th century, apparently the oldest houses are only 100 years (or so) old!
Did you know that Che Guevara once lived in Las Peñas?
Las Peñas’ location on the bank of the Río Guayas makes it a very picturesque destination to visit during your stay in Guayaquil. You’ll be entranced by the area’s colourful buildings, flower-filled balconies and extravagantly oversized doorways. I would recommend wearing study shoes as the cobbled streets can play a number on your feet!
Be sure to pop into the local art museums – they certainly add to the bohemian ambiance of the place!
Dine Out in Urdesa Central
The suburb of Urdesa Central in Guayaquil was created in the 1950s as part of an urbanism project and has since developed into an area where you can find many retail shops, bars and restaurants of all types of cuisines. We found the food here to be of a very high quality and while prices here are comparative to what you would find in London, the portions are generous.
Luxva Boutique Hotel is actually in the same neighborhood, which means you will not be short on lunch/dinner options!
Eat, Drink And Be Entertained At Plaza Guayarte
Visit Plaza Guayarte by day and you might walk away wondering why this place came so highly recommended – it’s a pretty empty space! But, if you visit in the evening after the sun goes down, you will see the place come to life. From endless cafes and restaurants to water features, artwork, neon lights, a stage showing various performances, there is a lot to see here in an open-air entertainment space!
The overall vibe here is really fun – people of all ages can be found enjoying each other’s company and making the most of their time off work. We felt extremely at ease and safe in the plaza and would highly recommend it to spend an evening.
Going To The Galapagos?
We quickly discovered that Guayaquil is the best place to be if you plan on going to the Galapagos islands. I get the feeling that most travellers believe (myself included!) that to get to the Galapagos it’s easier to reach from Quito, which is not the case!
Don’t Miss Out On Guayaquil!
Having only spent a short time in Guayaquil, we are fully aware that we only scratched the surface of the vibrant and diverse city that it is. Adam and I both really enjoyed our time here and would recommend paying the city a visit when organising a trip to Ecuador.
Since our trip, however, we know that due to an incident in the city, Guayaquil was put into a state of emergency. While our trip was completely trouble free, it’s important to check government websites before you travel.
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
