Located in western Ecuador on the banks of the Guayas River, Guayaquil is Ecuador´s largest city. Founded in 1938, Guayaquil was South America´s most important port in colonial times. Nowadays, Guayaquil continues to be Ecuador´s principle port as well as its economic center.

Moreover, the city has become a modern metropolis with first-class hotels and a well-developed tourist infrastructure. The city´s main attractions now include the historical Las Penas District perched on the slopes of Santa Ana Hill, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Seminary Park (1895) whose trees offer a shady place to rest for the area´s

iguana population, the Civic Center with its modern auditorium, the General Cemetery with its Italian marble sculptures, the city´s giant Clock Tower, and Guayaquil´s latest attraction: its newly renovated boardwalk, Malecon 2000, which showcases Guayaquil renovation of its waterfront district with all of its houses, shops, restaurants, and museums. Another attraction is the Guayaquil Historic Park.

Located on the road to to Samborondon, the Park aims to rescue the region´s cultural and ecological values. Guayaquil also has modern shopping centers and plenty of lively economic activity and is also the starting point for trips to the beaches located along the Santa Elena Peninsula.