🇪🇨 Ecuador Travel Insights: A Month in Guayaquil

Having spent a month in Ecuador's largest city, here's my firsthand guide to navigating Guayaquil like a local: 🌤️ Climate • A perpetual "mild summer" – light dresses, shorts & tees are ideal. • Humidity moderate (no extreme heat). 🏞️ Must-See Spots • Iguana Park (Parque Seminario) 🦎 – Free admission, dozens of wild iguanas roaming freely! • Malecón 2000 – Riverside promenade with carnival rides (locals love it). 🚗 Getting Around • Uber reigns supreme – Affordable and safer than street taxis. 🍽️ Food Scene • Seafood paradise! Don’t miss jaiba roja (red river crab) – served with a hammer for cracking claws. • Budget alert: Eating out adds up quickly – $20+ per meal is common. Even KFC costs ~$7 for 3-piece chicken. 🏨 Accommodation • River Garden Hotel – English-speaking staff, stellar river views, and top-notch service. 💰 Cost Shock • Ecuador uses the US dollar (USD). Brace yourself: Street food: $3-5 Mid-range restaurant: $15-30 Groceries are cheaper, but dining out? RIP wallet. 🛂 Visa Notes • Visa-free for many nationalities (but double-check!). • Immigration may ask for: Proof of return ticket Hotel bookings Rough itinerary 📱 Helpful Apps • Rappi (food delivery) – Also works in Colombia! #GuayaquilLife #EcuadorTravel #BudgetTips #SeafoodLover