The last port on the Caribbean... Guayaquil
The Caribbean?
Although one look at a map is enough to tell you that's it's actually firmly and squarely on the Pacific coast of Ecuador, Guayaquil is often referred to as "the last port on the Caribbean" and when you come here you understand why - this large port city has a busy, humid feel that you'll recognise from any of a dozen Gabriel Garcia Marquez novels. It has much more in common with ports like Cartagena in Colombia, or even Miami than with the traditional highland image you might have of Ecuador.
Quito may be the capital but Guayaquil is by far the biggest city in Ecuador - 3 million people make their home in this boisterous, tropical city - and a glance at the skyscrapers that line the lazy Guayas river and the seafront show you that this is where things get done in Ecuador. The people of Guayaquil see them themselves as smarter and more hard-working than their cousins in the highlands and Guayaquil operates as an economic and social counterweight to Quito in the same way that Barcelona does to Madrid.
Gateway to the Galapagos
Guayaquil is the closest of Ecuador's cities to the Galapagos Islands, and all flights to and from the islands - including those from Quito - go through Guayaquil. This means that if you are in the south of the country or on the coast anyway then it can make sense to fly to the Galapagos from Guayaquil rather than heading back to Quito. Guayaquil itself isn't really a city for tourists but in recent years a lot of time and money has gone into making the city more welcoming and providing things for tourists to do.
The centrepiece of the revamped city centre is the Malécon - a restored 2km walkway right along the seafront which houses restaurants, shops, a mini boating-lake and much else. It's a nice place to have a wander along - particularly in the summer when you're in search of a nice breeze!
Aside from this, the city has probably the best range of shops and entertainments in Ecuador and if you close your eyes and squint a little you really could be in Miami. Also adding to the Caribbean flavour is the old hillside district of Santa Ana, with its brightly-painted houses, bars and restaurants.
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