Any advice on things to do for Guayquile Ecuador?

Waterdawg says on Aug 26, 2008, 07:03:

Most folks go over to Salinas ( Ekyland's Miami beach ) .. A cool little town up the cost is Puerto Lopez..

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paulr says on Aug 26, 2008, 07:16:

Be careful of gangs and thieves. I stayed here http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/ecuador/guayaquil/10623/ which is a nice place with a very helpful owner. Most people go there to book for the Galápagos Islands, i did the poor mans Galápagos Islands in Peru (Great trip for $12) Galápagos Island in Ecuador, about $2,000.

"paulr threatens me with death !" pobrecito

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el_scouser says on Aug 26, 2008, 07:58:

Its a bit grim, if I were you I'd take a trip from there to Puerto Lopez or Montanita. Its whale season there right now so you can go on the tours which is really cool. If you do go to Guayaquil its nice to have a few beers on Malecon 2000 (its the new waterfront) Ive been twice (because I had to for connections) and wouldn't go again unless I had to. Theres so many better places in Ecuador. Decent hostels are a bit scarce too.

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Sam Salmon says on Aug 27, 2008, 10:56:

I disagree that Guayaquil is a grim place-in fact it's a blazing hot lively place full of friendly people great food and loud music.

Couldn't take it for too long m'self but if it's beaches you want head to Esmeraldas.

Spent a week in Salinas fishing offshore-now there's a dead dump if ever I saw one-good Pizza though.

' a la orden!'

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jonas says on Aug 27, 2008, 11:54:

If heading to Esmeraldas, the nicest and safest beach there is Atacames. Stay at "Casa Blanca" which sports good security, plenty of swimming pools, private beach and a golf course.
If on a budget 100m up on the beach from Casa Blanca you find some nice cabanas owned by the Spaniard who also runs the restaurant on the beach which is good value.
The best restaurant being "Seaflower".
For a nice adventure trip take a canoe from Limones to San Lorenzo through some spectacular mangroves. Then from San Lorenzo you can take a bus to Ibarra.

The isla de la plata off Puerto Lopez is Ecuador´s Galapagos for the poor and highly recommended, especially in whale watching season.

Mi alma se la dejo al diablo

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toneloc24 says on Aug 27, 2008, 12:32:

I posted a bunch on this thread. Hope it helps. Closest best beach to Guayaquil is Salinas, I think about 2 hours away.

http://poorbuthappy.com/ecuador/post/fun-places-in-guayaquil/

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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Sam Salmon says on Aug 27, 2008, 17:14:

I was told *never* to take the bus along the coast from Salinas to Esmeraldas-in fact some people denied that there even was such a bus-of course what they meant was that there was no bus suitable for gringos like me.

One driver put it straight to me he said "It could be a grandmother it could be an 8 year old kid who sticks a knife in your ribs".

' a la orden!'

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