"Guayaquil" Guayaquil by malianrob

Most people do not realize that Guayaquil is Ecuador´s largest city. I think most people think Quito is. Guayaquil is at sea level, its port “Puerto Maritimo” is the main sea port of the country where about 80% of the country´s imports and more than 50% of its exports are handled. It is the commercial and industrial center of Ecuador and lies on the west bank of the river Guayas about 60 km from its outflow in the Gulf of Guayaquil.

Guayaquil is very different from Quito and more of what I like when I am on vacation. While Quito is a little more colder and breezier, Guayaquil is hot and humid. Most people dont really go to Guayaquil to visit but rather are here in order to get to the Galapagos Islands.
Also there is alittle of competition between the people that live in Quito and the people that live in Guayaquil.

Growing up we didnt go to Guayaquil very much. Most of the family was in The Andes and to be honest Guayaquil didnt have a whole lot to offer the tourist and was notorious for being a dangerous place to go to. Alot has changed in the past few years. Guayaquil has done alot ot improve its image and to be a place that captures the tourist market.
Yes they may have some of the problems that go along with being a big city and overcrowding and stuff like that but who doesnt?
If your interests are the beach, warm weather, good food, fun people, then pay a visit to Guayaquil. You wont regret it.

I had never heard this before until now.
Legend has it that the Huancavilcas Chieftain, Guayas, killed his beautiful wife Quil then drowned himself so that the Spaniards would not capture them. The tragedy of this doomed couple is supposed to be inspired the city's name.