Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Birdwatching Locations
- Puerto Hondo (Mangrove birding)
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Isla Santay (accessible via bridge), Cerro Blanco Forest Reserve
- National Parks Nearby
- Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve (45 mins away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Malecón 2000 (walking), Parque Samanes (cycling/running)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Farol (Lighthouse) at Cerro Santa Ana
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Permitted only in specific coastal beach campsites (Engabao)
Essentials
- City
- Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
- Population
- Approx. 2,750,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 65 Mbps (Fiber available in Samborondón and Puerto Santa Ana)
- Currency & Banking
- United States Dollar (USD). ATMs widely available (Banco Pichincha, Banco Guayaquil)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; bottled water is essential (approx. $0.50 per 1.5L)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Claro or Movistar; approx. $15 for 10GB/30 days
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Guayaquil, Banco Pichincha. Credit cards widely accepted in malls/hotels
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Encuentra24 for longer rentals
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes in upscale areas (Samborondón, Puerto Santa Ana), cash needed for markets/taxis
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (Bellini Apartments Puerto Santa Ana), Suites in Wyndham Garden ($40-$80/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Mansión del Río (Las Peñas), Hostal Manso ($15-$25/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Las Peñas and Puerto Santa Ana (safe, historic, and walkable)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Samborondón (La Puntilla) or Vía a la Costa for gated security and modern amenities
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Impulsar Coworking (Vía a la Costa) or KrugerCoworking (Puerto Santa Ana) - approx. $150/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Sweet & Coffee (various locations, reliably good Wi-Fi), El Mono Goloso (Urdesa)
- Networking Events
- Startup Grind Guayaquil, events at Universidad Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL)
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Guayaquil Chapter, Expats in Guayaquil Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (safest), Cabify, and Indriver (negotiable rates)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Limited; cycling is primary in Parque Samanes (rental $3/hour)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playas (General Villamil), 1.5 hours away; Salinas, 2 hours away
- Top Regional Airline
- LATAM Ecuador, Avianca Ecuador
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, KLM, Iberia, JetBlue
- Highway Access
- E40 (to Coast), E25 (North/South)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal Terrestre Guayaquil (Main Bus Station nearby Airport)
- Public Transport Passes
- Metrovía Card ($0.30 per ride, rechargeable at stations)
- Regional Travel
- Intercity buses from Terminal Terrestre to Cuenca ($8) or Quito ($12)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Clínica Kennedy (Policentro) or Hospital Omni
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga & Health (Urdesa Central), Shanti Yoga (Samborondón)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Smart Fit (Mall del Sol/CityMall) - approx. $25/month; Taurus Fitness
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderías Mr. Jeff (Urdesa/Samborondón), Tintorería Speed Queen
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa, Rappi
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Encebollado (tuna soup) - try it at Picantería La Culata ($4-$6)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Paraíso (Center), Urban Fruits (Urdesa)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Sweet & Coffee (Torta Mojada de Chocolate), Nice Cream (Artisanal)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Central, Supermaxi (High-end), Mi Comisariato (Budget)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Ecuador, Tiendamia (Amazon imports)
- Grocery Delivery
- Tipti (Ecuador-specific high-quality grocery delivery)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle Panamá (Hip bars), Las Peñas (Traditional), Samborondón (Upscale)
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Nacional (Pilsener), Cerveza Artesanal Guayaco
- Wine Bars
- La Vinoteca (Samborondón), Vinos Gato Negro
- Street Food Stalls
- Sauces IX (famous for 'Arroz con Menestra'), Calle Chimborazo
- Popular International Cuisine
- Noe Sushi Bar (Japanese-Ecuadorian Fusion), Riviera (Italian)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Malecón 2000, La Perla (Ferris wheel), Cerro Santa Ana (444 steps)
- Museums & Art Venues
- MAAC (Museum of Anthropology and Contemporary Art), Museo Municipal
- Historical Sites
- Parque Seminario (Iguana Park), Las Peñas neighborhood
- Religious Sites
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Guayaquil
- Annual Events
- Fiestas de Guayaquil (July 25), Independence of Guayaquil (Oct 9)
- Cultural Districts
- Urdesa (Bohemian), Barrio Las Peñas
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Sánchez Aguilar (Samborondón), Teatro Centro de Arte
- Local Markets
- Mercado Artesanal Guayaquil (Souvenirs/Panama Hats)
- Music Scene
- La Bota (Music/Theater in Malecón del Salado)
- Street Art
- Murals along Avenida 9 de Octubre and Las Peñas
- Cooking Classes
- Escuela de Cocina de Guayaquil
- Art Galleries
- Galería d'Art, Plaza Lagos outdoor exhibitions
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Municipal, Gobernación del Guayas
- Local Heritage
- Cacao culture (Hacienda Victoria tours nearby)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Servientrega, DHL, FedEx
- Tech Repair Services
- Soporte iStore (Apple), Microplay (PC)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Polideportivo Huancavilca
- Language Classes
- COPOL English Institute (Spanish for foreigners), Centro Ecuatoriano Norteamericano (CEN)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal de Guayaquil (Center)
- Community Centers
- Alianza Francesa Guayaquil
- Gaming Lounges
- Level Up Gaming Lounge
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casinos are currently banned in Ecuador; limited bingo halls only
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $44,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² in Samborondón (e.g., 40 m² = $56,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $60,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $78,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $950 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $76,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,250 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $100,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Up to 10% (Depending on residency/treaty)
- Tax System
- Residential (Worldwide income for residents)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37%
- VAT
- 15% (Temporary increase as of 2024-2026)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, transparent tax regime rules apply
- Property Tax
- Annual tax based on municipal appraisal (Predios Urbanos), relatively low
- Property Transaction Tax
- Alcabala tax (approx. 1% of the value)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa available for 2 years (minimum $1,350/mo income, low tax on foreign source)