Guayaquil, Ecuador

I know I talk about altitude a lot but the reality is that in South America so far it has been at a pretty high elevation and I am starting to notice the differences in my body when we are higher up and when we drop a bit lower. It is pretty amazing the differences I experience with overall pain and in my energy levels. We arrived to Guayaquil, Ecuador by bus from Cuenca, about 4.5 hours and I had an amazing amount of energy and was ready to walk and walk and walk. I felt so much better being at a lower altitude and I was reveling in the cool evening weather.

Guayaquil, did however, came as a bit of a shock to my system after having spent more time in the smaller cities and towns. It was quite loud and busy and we weren’t even sure where to start so we headed for the wharf. We walked along the promenade towards the Barrios and enjoyed the view as the sun set over the water.

I had heard from several locals in Ecuador how they had liked Quito much more than Guayaquil and so I wasn’t sure what Guayaquil would be like but I think I found myself really relaxed and impressed by the level of art appreciation in this city. Apart from the colorful 400 year old Barrio de Las Peñas and all the street art, the Art University is in the heart of the city with sculptures all along the street in front of it. I love going to cities that really appreciate and embrace the art in all it’s forms.

The Barrios were incredible and painted all different colors. I was desperate to find somewhere that we could see them from higher up and so my boyfriend, Jorge, charmed us to the top of an apartment building with a view of the colorful barrios, the bridge & wharf! IT. WAS. AWESOME!!!

Overall Guayaquil was my favorite big city in Ecuador and of course it is the famous take-off point for trips to the Galapagos. Be sure to subscribe below so you don’t miss out on photos from the Galapagos!