UAYAQUIL’S setting has often been compared to that of Rio de Janeiro, and it is true that few spots on the face of the earth enjoy such a rich natural endowment. The city’s inviting year-round tropical temperatures are matched by the unparalleled natural beauty of this coastal port that offers easy access to nearby Pacific beaches, mangroves, and large natural parks while representing the perfect gateway to the spectacular beauty of the Andes, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands.

With more than ten years of renovation under its belt, Guayaquil is ready to charm the world with its astonishing makeover – new boardwalks, entertainment and shopping facilities, brightened historical neighborhoods, and magnificently restored avenues and squares intermixed with plentiful green parks where wildlife gives visitors a glimpse of Ecuador’s amazing biodiversity within the city limits. Guayaquil is now a city to enjoy, and with a new international airport ready to open, first class hotels and a well-developed tourism infrastructure in place, the mayor’s office and city tourism officials are prepared to launch new campaigns to market Guayaquil as a premier business tourism destination and the gateway to Ecuador’s enchanted sites.
Guayaquil’s transformation is not only evidenced in the modern aspect of city buildings, its upgraded transport and newly paved roads as well as its new street and park lighting that, combined with a reinforced municipal police department, has converted the city into a safe and comfortable experience for tourists, but also in a number of new attractions that have been created. The city’s centerpiece is Malecón 2000, a recently constructed boardwalk that showcases Guayaquil’s renovation of its waterfront district and which stretches along one and a half miles full of shops, restaurants, museums and entertainment facilities.

Often compared to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Guayaquil is teeming with lush, tropical forests, and offers neverending pristine beaches just an hour away. Its plethora of activities make it the ideal spot to stop over for business or pleasure.

This is matched by Malecón Salado, a similar boardwalk development on the city’s saltwater shore. Another main attraction is the historical Las Peñas District with its brightly-painted wooden houses perched on the slopes of Santa Ana Hill, where winding steps lead to a hilltop lighthouse and chapel and where visitors can discover a quaint neighborhood full of crafts shops, art galleries, cafés and restaurants. Other must-sees are the city’s Metropolitan cathedral, the old South Market, now renovated and renamed the Crystal Palace, Seminary Park, which houses a thriving iguana population, and the Historical Park, with its period buildings, nature reserve, and English-speaking guide. Sun City near the airport boasts Ecuador’s largest shopping center, first class hotels, spa facilities, an entertainment center and a casino.

While Guayaquil may have exchanged its tough and rundown port demeanor for a modern and attractive façade, it has not lost the free spirit of its people along the way. In comparison with a more conservative Quito, the national capital, Guayaquil is laid back and lively at the same time. Its people are uninhibited, authentic and warm, and this is perfectly reflected in the number of new restaurants, cafés, bars, and nightclubs in the city that are packed until the early hours of the morning.

Hotel occupancy increased 15% between 2003 and 2004, and it is still on the rise

The rise in the city’s tourism numbers is a direct result of Guayaquil’s renovation and its growth into a modern tourism center. Hotel occupancy increased 15 percent between 2003 and 2004, and today Guayaquil is the Ecuadorian city most visited by Ecuadorians themselves. In addition, foreign tourists en route to the Galapagos have begun to extend their customary one-day stay. Mayor Nebot intends to maintain this trend and further strengthen the city’s tourism sector through the creation of a strong business tourism industry.

Guayaquil’s urban renewal and modern facilities, combined with the possibility of both unmatched beaches and eco-tourism within an hour’s drive of the city make it the perfect choice as host of international conferences and events. To this end, the city has been investing in excellent infrastructure that currently includes completed conference centers in both boardwalk developments. Two more are in the pipeline – one in the upcoming Santa Ana Port development and another that will be the city’s main attraction upon its completion in March of 2007, a massive international convention and exhibit center in the newly renovated international airport.

The city is not waiting until then, however, for opportunities to showcase its potential. This year it will host the Hispanic American Congress of Municipalities, the International Tourism Fair of Ecuador, and the World Convention of Insurance Companies. As Mayor Nebot says, “Guayaquil is ready to welcome tourists from all over the world, and it is a destination that you must come and see. This year, in 2006, Guayaquil is going to experience amazing and fabulous changes.”