As the largest city in Ecuador, many people will often avoid going to Guayaquil when they visit the country, but while some parts of the city can be quite industrial, there are also plenty of things worth doing. The city is located on the Guayas River, a short distance from where the river opens up into the Pacific Ocean, which has contributed to the city developing into the largest port in the country.


It also means the city has some great seafood, and the access to the ocean is also a very attractive feature which helps to make spending a day in Guayaquil and the surrounding area an enjoyable experience.

Climb The Santa Ana Hill

Facing back over the city, the views from the Santa Ana Hill are very impressive, from the Rio Guayas to the closer buildings of the modern city center. It is also a nice place to visit itself, as there is a small lighthouse and a museum located at the top of the hill, along with the ruins and decommissioned cannons that were once used to defend the city. The path up to the top of the hill is a broad staircase that begins at one end of the Malecon Simon Bolivar, one of the main streets in Guayaquil, and with over 400 steps to climb it is well worth doing the walk in the morning or the late afternoon outside the heat of the midday sun.

Go Whale Watching

One of the most popular attractions of visiting Guayaquil is the opportunity to take a trip out into the mouth of the Pacific to go whale watching, as this is an important breeding area for these majestic creatures.

There are hundreds of humpback whales of up to fifty feet in length that congregate in the area off the coast near Guayaquil between June and October, and the trips from Guayaquil depart from Salinas beach.

Explore The La Bahia Market

The largest open market in Ecuador is certainly one that is worth visiting, and is a bustling cacophony of noise as each stallholder tries to capture the attention of the passing crowds. It is possible to buy almost anything at the market, from food to electrical goods, and there are a few souvenir stalls for visitors too. It is also worth being careful with your belongings in the market as you would be in any other area where lots of people are packed closely together.

Try The Local Seafood

With a good portion of the population of Guayaquil dependent on the sea for their livelihood, it is no surprise to see that there is plenty of good seafood on offer in local restaurants, with most being freshly caught. One of the dishes that is certainly worth trying is the Ecuadorean version of Ceviche, which is made of raw shrimp that is prepared with lime juice and a spicy tomato sauce. Guayaquil is also a great place to try Ecuador's national dish, encebollado, which is a hearty fish stew prepared with pickled red onion and boiled cassava.

Bring In The Evening With A Cruise On The Rio Guayas

At the end of a day exploring Guayaquil, one of the best ways to relax and unwind is to take one of the scenic ferry tours that combine the scenery of the Rio Guayas with an on-board bar. These boats are often equipped with a music system along with the bar, and are known for hosting parties that can be quite noisy and raucous as evening progresses into night. A great way to end a day exploring the attractions of Guayaquil.