If you are travelling overland between Ecuador and Peru there is a good chance you will end up in Guayaquil.
Here are our top picks of the best things to do Guayaquil.
Top 5 things to do in Guayaquil
1. Stroll the Mallecon
One of the best things to do is take a walk along the surprisingly gorgeous Mallecon.
To be honest, this riverfront boardwalk definitely exceeded our expectations.
Along the boardwalk you will find various coffee shops, bars and food outlets including Ecuador’s response to Starbucks known as ‘Sweet and Coffee’ and a McDonalds with the best view you ever will find.
2. Climb the Delightfully Striped Lighthouse
At one end of the Mallecon you will find steps to climb the Cerro Santa Ana lighthouse.
It’s around 400 steps to reach the top but once you get there, the view of the city is spectacular.
The climb is pretty tough in the heat of summer but on the bright side there are cafes and restaurants for refreshments along the way.
3. Visit the Iguana Park
The owner of the hotel we were staying suggested that we visit the Iguana Park during our stay.
Scratching our head as to what this meant, was there a zoo in town or…?
Turns out no, it was not a zoo but just a normal park where hundreds of huge Iguanas like to chill.
I have never seen so many Iguanas in my life. There is even a lady who sells lettuce in the park if you would like to feed them.
4. Ride the Guayaquil eye
If feeding monster Iguanas isn’t your thing you could always go for a ride on what I like to call the Guayaquil eye.
A ride on this big ferris wheel sitting directly on the Mallecon will only set you back $3.50 for a leisurely ride while you enjoy the river views.
5. Ride a Pirate Ship on the Guayas river
Time-permitting, floating down the Guayas river on a pirate ship and soaking up the scenary is a great way to spend a day in Quayaquil.
Tickets are sold on the Mallecon and some companies even have a promotion where kids ride for free!
Final Thoughts
We had low expectations about our visit to Quayaquil.
Naturally, in a country where you can visit the visit the Amazon Rainforest it’s not the best place to visit in Ecuador.
But overall we really enjoyed our 24 hours in town.
Let us know if we missed any worthwhile things to do in Guayaquil!
