Travel advisory · EcuadorGuayaquil is in or near an area where governments advise against all but essential travel: El Fortín, Flor de Bastión, Guayaquil city, Guayaquil south of Portete de Tarquí Avenue, Guayas province, Monte Sinaí, Nueva Prosperina, Paraíso de la Flor, Pascuales.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- 20 km strip along the Colombian border · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK
- Durán · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, New Zealand, US
- Esmeraldas City and all areas north of it · avoid all travel · Germany, Italy, US
- Colombian border zone · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
- El Fortín · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- El Oro province · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, UK
- Esmeraldas province · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, New Zealand, UK
- Flor de Bastión · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Guayaquil city · avoid non-essential travel · France, New Zealand
- Guayaquil south of Portete de Tarquí Avenue · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, US
- Guayas province · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, UK
- Huaquillas and Arenillas · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, US
- Los Ríos province · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, UK
- Manabí province · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, UK
- Monte Sinaí · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Nueva Prosperina · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, US
- Paraíso de la Flor · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Pascuales · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, US
- Quevedo · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, US
- Santa Elena province · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, UK
- Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, UK
- Sucumbíos province · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, New Zealand
Also named by one government: Chinchipe canton, within 2 km of the Peruvian border (Canada), Ciudad de Dios (New Zealand), El Pangui canton, within 2 km of the Peruvian border (Canada), Entrada de la 8 (New Zealand), Nangaritza canton, within 2 km of the Peruvian border (Canada), Pueblo Viejo (US), Quinsaloma (US), Socio Vivienda (New Zealand), Yantzaza canton, within 2 km of the Peruvian border (Canada), Babahoyo (Canada), Bastión Popular (northern Guayaquil) (Canada), Esteros (southern Guayaquil) (Canada), La Florida (northern Guayaquil) (Canada), Las Orquídeas (northern Guayaquil) (Canada), Machala (Canada), Milagro (Canada), Monte Bello (northern Guayaquil) (Canada), Mucho Lote (northern Guayaquil) (Canada), Nueva Loja (France), Orellana province (Spain), Portete (southern Guayaquil) (Canada), Southern and western Guayaquil (Spain), Sur (southern Guayaquil) (Canada)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Aug 18, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Zone de vigilance renforcée (reste du pays) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Guayaquil
Travelers come to Guayaquil for its riverfront promenade, its historic hillside neighborhood, and its role as Ecuador's main gateway to the Galápagos Islands.
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Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and its main port, on the Guayas River, upstream from the Gulf of Guayaquil. It is a working city first, where shipping and trade sit alongside everyday street life. Most visitors come for the river, the historic Las Peñas neighborhood on the slope of Santa Ana Hill, or because the city has the main airport for flights to the Galápagos Islands.
Guayaquil suits a stay of one or two days, a layover between flights, or a base before a Galápagos trip. The Malecón 2000 riverfront promenade is the easiest first walk, with gardens, monuments and views across the river. Las Peñas, with its painted houses and a lighthouse at the top of Santa Ana Hill, is the neighborhood most visitors climb to. The city is hot and humid year-round, with heavier rain from about January to May, so early mornings and evenings are the best time for walking.
Guayaquil in five
- Walk the Malecón 2000 early or at duskThe riverside promenade along the Guayas runs for a long stretch and has shade only in patches. Midday heat and humidity make it hard going.
- Carry small US dollar billsEcuador uses the US dollar, but small shops, market stalls and taxis often cannot break a large note. Keep small bills and coins for daily spending.
- Set up an eSIM before you landMaps and ride-hailing apps are the quickest way to get around the city, and a local data plan avoids roaming charges.Phones and eSIM
- Agree the taxi fare before you get inAsk your lodging to call a taxi when you can. If the driver does not use a meter, agree the price before the ride starts.
- Fly to the Galápagos from GuayaquilMost flights to the Galápagos Islands leave from Guayaquil's airport, a short taxi ride from the city center. Book early for high season and check the flight and island connection before you plan the rest of the trip.
Things to do in Guayaquil
See all attractions in Guayaquil
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check your passport on the official site Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire or ambulance (ECU 911)
- Tipping
- 10% service charge often added to restaurant bills
- Time
- UTC-5, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Rainy, hotJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 195 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, hot
- FebruaryRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Rainy, hotFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 397 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, hot
- MarchRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Rainy, hotMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 493 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, hot
- AprilRain19 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Rains easingAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 260 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains easing
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Rains endingMayPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ending
- JunePartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Garúa drizzleJunePartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Garúa drizzle
- JulyPartly cloudy3 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°City festivitiesJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
City festivities
- AugustPartly cloudy2 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Cool, mistyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, misty
- SeptemberPartly cloudy3 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°Dry, pleasantSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, pleasant
- OctoberPartly cloudy3 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Warm, drierOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, drier
- NovemberPartly cloudy3 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Hot, humidNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Rains beginDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
Average daily high and low in Guayaquil, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Guayaquil
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Guayaquil
03:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°24°100%Monday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue31°24°99%Tuesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Wed31°24°95%Wednesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Thu30°24°92%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Fri31°23°83%Friday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Sat32°25°79%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Sun31°25°98%Sunday: Rain. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 98%.
Updated 12:59 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Playasabout 2 hours by roadA beach town on the coast, a simple break from the city heat.
- Salinasabout 3 hours by roadA busier coastal resort with a long beach and seafood restaurants.
- Machalaabout 3 hours by roadA port city known for bananas, with a quieter base for trips further south.
Before you go to Guayaquil
Rules for Guayaquil, checked
- Many nationalities enter Ecuador without a visa for short stays. Check the rules for your passport on the official foreign ministry site before you book.Source
- Declare cash and goods above the limits on the customs form on arrival. Check the current limits with Ecuador's customs service (SENAE) before you travel.
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Ecuador.
Plan around Guayaquil
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for an Ecuador trip
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses, taxis and car hire between Guayaquil and nearby towns
Read the guideMoney and costsDollars, card use and typical daily spending for the city
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to check before you book
Read the guideWhere to stayDowntown, riverside and residential areas compared for a short trip
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData plans and offline maps for the city and the coast
Read the guideGuayaquil FAQ
Is Guayaquil worth visiting?
Yes, for the riverside Malecón 2000, the old Las Peñas quarter and the seafood. It is a working port city with fewer colonial sights than Quito or Cuenca, so it suits a short stay before the coast or the Galápagos.
How do you get from the airport to the city center?
By taxi, which is the simplest option. Agree the fare or check that the meter runs before you get in.
How many days do you need in Guayaquil?
Two nights cover the Malecón, Las Peñas and the climb up Cerro Santa Ana. Add a day for a trip to the coast or to the Parque Histórico.
What food should you try in Guayaquil?
Ceviche de camarón, a shrimp ceviche, and encebollado, a fish soup with yuca and onion. Both are common at local restaurants and are often eaten in the morning.
Is Guayaquil safe for tourists?
Check your government's current travel advice before you go. In the city, take taxis at night, keep your phone out of sight on the street and stick to well-lit central areas.
Can you fly to the Galápagos from Guayaquil?
Yes. Guayaquil's airport has flights to the Galápagos, and many travelers connect through the city. Book early in high season.