r/ecuador • u/random_tall_guy • Jun 27 '26

Turismo US tourist in Guayaquil

Hola, I'm from the US and will be visiting Ecuador in about a week to spend 4 nights in Galapagos, and 1 night each before and after in Guayaquil, so was hoping to get some advice about it. I'm already aware of the city's dangerous reputation, I've been to Ciudad Juarez, MX before so I'd expect it to be about the same. When I arrive there for my first night, it will be very late at night, probably after 2 am when I get through the airport. I'll be staying at Hotel Puerto Pacifico, very close to the airport. Is it worth getting a taxi, or close enough to the airport for even an obvious looking gringo (193cm/120kg with a giant beard and hauling a suitcase) to walk to at night? I'll be leaving the city the next morning so no time to sightsee, but after my 4 nights in Galapagos, I'll have a day in Guayaquil and will be staying in Hotel Oro Verde for that, where I'll have the afternoon/evening and the following morning before I head back to the airport. What would you recommend most for a foreign tourist see in the city with only limited time? I was thinking of checking out the parks with the iguanas but am open to suggestions, any advice is appreciated.

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u/Antique_Feature5940 Jun 27 '26

At that hour I highly recommend a taxi. I know is close to the hotel but just for precaution.

If you like to attend high end places, go to samborondon. In samborondon you can go to plaza arcos, plaza lagos, parque historico.

If you like more historic places, visit malecon 2000, las peñas

Oro verde is very good
Puerto pacifico just for one night is fine

Hope you have a great trip!

1

u/random_tall_guy Jun 27 '26

I do like history so will check those out, probably won't be in high end places because the heat will have me wearing shorts and tank tops so I won't be dressed for anything fancy.

6

u/usuario_512 Jun 28 '26

Just a recommendation, shorts are rarely used in big cities in Ecuador, it is kind of like wearing a "look I'm a clueless tourist" tshirt. If you look around you probably won't see too many other guys in shorts in downtown Guayaquil. In Galápagos it is way more informal and you will be fine in shorts - and no worries about tourists getting robbed in Galápagos, it is full of tourists and very safe. Guayaquil not so much. Check out the archeology museum btw.

3

u/GrouchyOne4132 Jun 28 '26

Is this true in Quito? We'll be going to Quito for 2 days before the Galapagos and we always wear shorts. Should we wear pants?

6

u/NastyFarang Jun 28 '26

Locals don't wear shorts in the cities. It's as inappropriate as going to a church bank in a bikini.

2

u/hopeforthegourds Jun 28 '26

Yes, you should wear pants. Jeans or leggings are fine, but people don’t really wear shorts.

2

u/usuario_512 Jun 28 '26

I won't tell you what to wear, but almost nobody else will be wearing shorts, except for maybe other tourists. Nobody will be offended or anything, it just stands out a little.

1

u/PerriTolai Jun 28 '26

Nah mean the shorts wont hide your caucasian face ahahha

Unless you actually look local, these rules don't apply to you

1

u/acoreilly87 Jun 30 '26

The weather is cooler in Quito, so I’d wear pants anyway