Guayaquil Questions

[MELANIE CLARK]

Exactly how do you pronounce “Guayaquil”.

Other than flying into, is it a good place to visit?

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Y-a-keel (the G is silent). I found the Malecon and the Guayaquil Historical Park to be quite nice. Here’s a complete list of “to do’s” there: http://www.dreamkapture.com/sightseing.htm.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Most people skip Guayaquil, but like Edd, I like the malecon, Parque Iguana, and Cerro Santa Ana at night, although I would not recommend the climb if you’re not at least halfway physically adept. I’d say if you have one day to spare, Guayaquil is worth the stop — although I know one or three expats who live there, it’s not a popular relocation destination.

[MELANIE CLARK]

Thank you both. What I learned in Spanish so far, I know about silent “g” such as gente, and about silent “u’s” such as after “Q” and before an “i” or “e”. But hadn’t run across this yet.

We’re going to be spending 4 days on the Malacon in Salinas, so, think we will just spend just the one night in Guayaquil. (And now because of the book, I know what a malacon is. I looked it up on the internet, and nothing really spelled it out. The new book said simply (seaside road). I had asked Amy in an email, but she probably knows it so well, she didn’t even understand I was really asking because I didn’t know.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Sometimes a malecon is pedestrian only and sometimes it is not. And in Uruguay it’s called a rambla.

[BERNARD JONES]

Melanie,

I was in Guayaquil abt 3 weeks ago… I stayed in the Wyndham Hotel on the Malecon..it is nice but quite pricey($160/night)

It can be a little dangerous at times particularly at night. A couple of tips that I got from the locals:

Don’t wear any jewellery, or expensive watches – leave them in the hotel

Only take what you need in the way of money, credit cards – leave the rest in your hotel.

Don’t flag taxis down on the street, take authorized taxis from hotels. If you are going somewhere – take the taxis number and call them to come and pick you up.

I liked Guayaquil,lots of historical places, but you just need to take some precautions.

The artisan market is great, lots of nice things, but if you are going up country to Cuenca and other places you will find nicer, cheaper things in the markets there.

Bernie

[MELANIE CLARK]

Great.
thanks Suzan, Edd and Bernie.

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