Mercado Artesanal: Local hand-made crafts. A Must-Go for shopping Ecuadorian products. La Perla: Ferris wheel by the river. There are plenty of restaurants around. We recommend Mami-T for Mexican food or Porto for afternoon cocktails and great seafood. Las Peñas: Climb the 444 steps for the nicest view of the city. Malecon 2000: Wide historical broadwalk with restaurants. Aerovía: Suspended cabins for a ride with views of the city. Isla Santay: Take a bike ride (rent for a few bucks) to this island to see some wildlife and a crocodile station. Museo del Cacao: Nicely done museum showing all aspects of cacao from the 1500s and how it drove Ecuador's wealth. As a bonus, the museum is in the former home of a wealthy cacao family. Excellent restaurants nearby plus a chocolate roastery and maker next door. Tuesday-Sunday 10h00-17h00 ($5 pass) Plaza Lagos (Samborondón): Beautiful shopping center with tons of restaurants. Our picks: Embarcadero 41 and Mikka.
Zeru (Flavors of the world with an Ecuadorian touch.) Negroni (Skybar with beautiful views of the city.) Lola Sky (Rooftop with beautiful views of the city.) Cevicheria Guayaca (Great ceviches and local dishes!) Lola Izakaya Grill & Lolita Bar (Upscale waterfront restaurant in Samborondón.) Casa Julian (Housed within the historic 19th century Hotel del Parque -where we are having our wedding reception!, serves traditional Ecuadorian dishes with modern twists.) Mercado del Río (Indoor, upmarket food hall at Malecón 2000 with nearly two dozen offerings ranging from international to Ecuadorian.) Calle Panamá (This pedestrian street located in downtown Guayaquil offers everything from bread to gourmet dishes.) •Restaurants: La Central, La Cevichévere, Café Colibrí, La Taquería, La Pesca, Oui, Sfoglia Pastificio •Coffee Shops: Biscuits by Nané, La Mula Ciega, La Veredita, Diana Carrión, El Mono Goloso •Resto-bars: Nicanor, Juliana, Dos Hemisferios Wine Store (Yes, Ecuadorian wine!)
Ride along the west coast of Ecuador to visit our beaches. Make sure you stop by the "Chocolatera" to spot sea lions! You can go through Salinas, Olon's mirador for a nice sunset, and finish with drinks in Montañita. Montañita is our most popular hippy-style, partying, and surfing beach that never sleeps. It is 2.5 hrs from Guayaquil. Make sure you try the cocktails at "La Calle de los Cocteles"!
3.5 hr drive from GYE. Cuenca is a city with great food and stunning historical churches. I suggest using Operazuay Tour vans for $12 each way (they go every hour) or renting a car. Make sure to stop at "Cajas National Park" on your way there for amazing hikes and scenery. You should also make a stop at "Hosteria Dos Chorreras" for a delicious Andean meal. (www.hosteriadoschorreras.com) You should also consider making a day trip to "Ingapirca," Ecuador's most important set of pre-Columbian ruins.
1.5hr flight from GYE. Diverse wildlife, beautiful beaches and lots of snorkel/diving spots. Feel free to contact us if you’re going so we can help you with tips! Looking for luxury and relaxation? You should check out: “Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel,” “Royal Palm Galapagos,” “Safari Camp,” “Pikaia Lodge,” “Galapagos Habitat” and “Scalesia Lodge.” If you are traveling with a group, consider looking into “Galapagos Villa: Casa La Iguana.”
5hr drive from GYE. This is a great option for adventurous people. Baños is a valley with all the extreme sports you can think of: bungee jumping, canopying, four wheelers, rafting, zip lining, etc. Make sure you go to "El Pailon del Diablo" and “Swing at the end of the world”! (If your prefer relaxation rather than adventure, make sure to check the "Samari Spa Resort" and/or "Luna Runtun Adventure Spa" for amazing treatments and stays.) On route, you should stop by "Quilotoa," a water-filled crater lake and the most western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes where you can take amazing pictures at the "Mirador Shalala" and hike your way down and rent a canoe to explore the lake and its fumaroles. Don't worry about the altitude, it is possible to rent a horse to get back up! The village of Quilotoa is also culturally very interesting and an important center for handicrafts.
40min flight from GYE. Amazing food, mountain views, and the middle of the world monument where you can stand in between both hemispheres! Make sure to plan a day trip to Otavalo, and visit the village's craft market and "Hosteria Cabanas del Lago" at Laguna San Pablo for outdoor activities and lunch. (www.cabanasdellago.com.ec)
4hr drive from GYE. Chimborazo is the closest point to the sun in the world. Beautiful volcano were you can find short hikes (it is about 4,000 meters above sea level, so take it slow!) The Chimborazo Lodge is the only stay located in the bottom of the volcano, and it has great views of the volcano at all times.
MASHPI LODGE: Located on a scenic plateau, featuring breathtaking views of the surrounding forested mountains and their unique ecosystems. LA SELVA JUNGLE LODGE: Located within Ecuador’s Yasuní Biosphere Reserve and on the borders of the famous Yasuní National Park- one of the most biodiverse areas of the planet! NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER: Leave city life behind and escape to this eco-community for a life-altering experience you will cherish! SACHA LODGE: The ultimate experience for nature lovers. Adventure beckons from the treetops, the jungle floor, the water, and even from the sky! HACIENDA SAN AGUSTIN DE CALLO: Dine and sleep within ancient Inca walls! This hacienda is built on the site of an Inca palace. RESORT TERMAS DE PAPALLACTA: With its thermal pools, it is more than a destination, it is a comprehensive experience that will awaken all your senses!
CASA GANGOTENA www.casagangotena.com HACIENDA CUSIN www.haciendacusin.com HACIENDA LA CIENEGA www.haciendalacienega.com HACIENDA ZULETA ww.zuleta.com ILLA EXPERIENCE HOTEL www.illaexperiencehotel.com LA MIRAGE GARDEN HOTEL & SPA www.mirage.com.ec MAMA CUCHARA LUXURY HOTEL www.hotelmamacuchara.com RUMILOMA LODGE www.rumiloma.com