Ecuador’s second city is full of bustle and secrets. It’s not pretty at first glance and you won’t want to stay long. But with a local guide this city can really come alive. 

Spend a morning exploring its highlights, going off the beaten path to small neighbourhoods and local encounters. Then travel into the surrounding valley for an afternoon at a traditional cacao farm. 

Here you can lounge in a hammock drinking fresh hot chocolate, after admiring the production from bean to bar. Guayaquil is a common stopover on Galapagos experiences and a moment like this one makes your travel time more productive.