City in Guayas, Ecuador
Guayaquil
Ecuador's hot, humid port city with a revamped Malecón, strong food and the main flight hub for the Galápagos. Gang violence makes it a transit stop, not a place to wander, for most visitors.
At a glance
- Safety2/5High riskDetails
- Monthly budget$1,300–1,900Comfortable, one person · $1,300–1,900Details
- Value for money32/100Better value than 31% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–OctWarmest: Aug, 36°CDetails
- Internet219 MbpsFixed broadband, Ecuador medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; avoid ice at street stalls and cheap bars.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel2/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$25–50Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in malls, hotels and many restaurants; cash for markets, buses and small shops.Details
Where to stay in Guayaquil
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Malecón 2000 and Las Peñas | Short stays: riverside walks, restaurants, police presence |
| Urdesa | Restaurants and cafés; safer than downtown but keep guard |
| Samborondón and Puerto Santa Ana | Upscale, gated, car-dependent; far from the center |
| Airport and Kennedy area | Hotels, hospitals and malls near the airport |
Apps that work in Guayaquil
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- ECU 911: Emergency calls and panic button
- Taxis: Do not hail taxis on the street: express kidnapping is a known risk. Ask your hotel to order a car or book through an app.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Ecuador.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in malls, hotels and many restaurants; cash for markets, buses and small shops. Withdraw cash only inside banks or malls, in daylight.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs take foreign cards but charge a fee and have modest limits. Use machines inside banks or malls.
- Tipping: Sit-down restaurants usually add a 10% service charge; extra is optional. Tip guides, drivers and Galápagos boat crews.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work in chains; local QR apps like DeUna need an Ecuadorian bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Arriving overland from Colombia or Peru, bring an apostilled criminal record certificate or accept a database check; air arrivals are exempt.
- Galápagos: get the USD 20 Transit Control Card online before the flight and pay the USD 200 park fee in cash on arrival.
- Galápagos visitors must show a hotel booking or host letter, a return flight and travel health insurance.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Claro or Tigo stores in malls sell prepaid SIMs with passport registration; Claro has the widest coverage. Tigo also sells eSIMs. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Ecuador
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.