Guayaquil

Guayaquil: The Pearl of the Pacific

Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, is a vibrant metropolis that constantly reinvents itself. On the banks of the Guayas River, this port city combines spectacular urban renewal with the warmth of its people and the richness of its coastal cuisine. As the main gateway to the legendary Galápagos Islands, Guayaquil is an ideal starting point for one of the most unique nature experiences on the planet.

💡 Fun Facts & History

• 💡Guayaquil was the first city in Ecuador to declare independence from Spain, on October 9, 1820, before the rest of the country.
• 💡The Great Fire of 1896 destroyed most of the city, which was built of wood. The reconstruction defined the modern Guayaquil we know today.
• 💡Seminario Park (Iguana Park) houses hundreds of land iguanas that roam freely among visitors. They are a unique and free attraction.
• 💡Ecuador produces 62% of the world's fine aroma cacao. Guayaquil is the epicenter of this industry dating back to colonial times.
• 💡Encebollado (tuna soup with yuca and onion) is considered the best hangover cure in Ecuador. Guayaquileños eat it at any hour.
• 💡Guayaquil's urban transformation between 2000-2010 turned abandoned areas into Malecón 2000 and Las Peñas, winning international urban planning awards.