Malecon 2000 (waterfront), Las Peñas, Simon Bolivar Park (also known as parque de las iguanas), Centenario Park, 9 Octubre avenue from east to west, Malecon del Salado (salty waterfront), Cemetry, Mercado Artesanal, Cathedral, Museo Nahim Isais, Museo Municipal, Museo Presley Northon, Museo MAAC, Museo de la historia de la Cuidad, Clock Tower, Botanical Gardens, Zona Rosa (disco), Urdesa (restaurants), Flower Market, ...

These places are located in the downtown area, near the main hotels and at the heart of the regenerated area, a very secure walk.

• The Malecon 2000. It is a long park beside the Rio Guayas ("Guayas River"), with shops, an IMAX theater, gardens, and a beautiful view of both the river and downtown.

• The "Malecon del Salado" located next to the "Estero Salado" (an estuary of sea water), here you can enjoy fresh air and wonderful sunsets, with restaurants of typical food, all framed within a very safe new park.

• The renewed downtown area (Area regenerada), very secure to walk and look around.

• Museums (Museo Municipal, Museo Nahim Isaias, MAAC and Presley Northon Museum are located in the center of the downtown)

• Santa Ana & El Carmen hills, you can see almost the whole city from here. You can walk up the 400 odd steps to the top from the Malecon 2000. There is a lighthouse, museum, small chapel and park at the top. Along the stairs, vendors sell water, ice cream and other snacks.

• Las Peñas, where the city was founded, was actually rebuilt and painted bright colors.

• Parks, we recommend to visit the "Parque de las Iguanas" downtown, which is home to hundreds of tame iguanas, some fish in a pond and a black squirrel or two.

• The Central Bank building has several giant paintings on the outside of the building.

• Markets, you can visit the "Mercado Artesanal", where you can buy some very cheap souvenirs from all regions of Ecuador. Near the Malecon 2000.

Other interesting places near Guayaquil:

• "Parque Histórico", an interesting recreation of the early 20th century years of Guayaquil, the look, the people and the food. Includes a small zoo.

• "Crucero Discovery", rides up and down the Rio Guayas. You can catch it at Malecon 2000. Crazy parties at night.

• Salinas, the main beach. Fishing, surfing, and other water sports. Many modern hotels and delicious sea food. Interesting night life. Wonderful whalewatching during June to September.

The following places are interesting to see if you are daring:

• 6 de Marzo is an interesting street to visit about 10 blocks from the downtown area during the week before New Year's Eve, because the street is lined with "Años Viejos" or old years, paper maché figures ranging in size from about 12 inches up to 10 or more feet tall. These are often political, movie or cartoon characters.

• La Bahía, just off the southern end of the Malecon 2000. Huge market area full of shops and stalls of almost anything imaginable. Because it is so cheap you will have lower social class people and have to be a little careful with belongings.

• Cocoa or Banana plantations are located around Guayaquil city.

By plane

The new José Joaquín de Olmedo international airport, elected as best South American Airport, is located near the city center and is next to the bus terminal. Taxis to a hotel in the northern suburbs shouldn't cost more than $3 and a ride to downtown, where most attractions are located, is about $5.

If you are planning to visit the Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil is the cheapest place to take a flight from. Both Aerogal and TAME have flights.

International departure airport tax was just recently increased in Guayaquil and is about $27.16. About 15$ cheaper than Quito airport.

By car

If you are driving, Your horn is your best friend. Drive both Aggresive and Deffensive. Gas stations are full service and fully armed. Keep some extra cash on you incase you get stopped.

By bus

Guayaquil's bus terminal is well organized, but still keep an close eye on your belongings. There are frequent connections to almost every destination in Ecuador

By boat

Taxis range from "taxi amigos" (un-marked taxis you call to pick you up) to the standard yellow cabs. Taxi drivers will try to over charge tourists. Nicer taxis are metered by GPS.

We can recommend to travel with Tour Operator Galanet (www.galapagosnet.com) owner of its own fleet of first class vehicules. Speek french, dutch, german, italian, spanish and english. Excellent exclusif programm´s like Bird island or Maket Tour.

There are ten centros comerciales. Besides that, there are several popular spots like mercados Artesenal and la Bahia.

• There are many typical dishes to try from such as encebollado, seco de pollo, ceviche, and caldo de salchicha.

• There are also many international fast food chains throughout the city such as Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's, Taco Bell, and more.

• It is recommended to eat at the Parrillada del Nato; foods such oven cooked pizza, grilled meat,and more are served.

• Chinese restaurants (Chifas) are found throughout the city, and their food is very good.

• 'El Patacón' restaurant in Urdesa serves typical dishes, mostly based on verde (green bananas also known as 'Plátano Macho' on Central America). Recommended is the 'bolón'

Budget

• To stay one week and to go to clubs and everything you will need at least $200 per person and that will be staying on a good hotel?

Mid-range

• Lo Nuestro has a good variety of typical dishes.

• You can also go to a restaurant where the best 'encebollado' is sold. The place is called "Encebollado cordero". it is located near the IESS.

Splurge

• Great nightlife, you can go to 5 or more discos in one night, and don't need to travel much.

• The usual price for entering is $10-$15 consumable, depending on where you go.

• Usually the parties there last to 4 am. but you can always find something else to do in this city.

• Visit the "Zona Rosa", located at the secure regenerated area, with several options of night life.

• Several brands of beer are available.