Guayaquil, one of the 50 most dangerous cities in the world. So I was told a few days after leaving it….
The impression, however, was that it was not that dangerous. Walking the streets at night didn’t make me feel uncomfortable or in danger, quite the contrary….
The same goes for walking during the day and visiting the main parts. I actually have good memories of the city.
The malecon is very nice, nothing like the cities of Peru, Ecuador is much more reminiscent of Europe, the architecture, the streets, the statues….
But there is the exotic vegetation that makes everything much more interesting. And the animals….
Colourful birds, iguanas, crocodiles…. Yes! Crocodiles! 😆
A taxi driver the night they arrived in town had mentioned in one of my chats with them that there was a possibility of visiting the island on the river called Santay with a boat trip.
So in the morning we go to the riverside but I don’t see any boats…. I then start stopping people on the street and asking where to find the excursion. Nobody knows anything 🫤
Finally a girl tells me that there is the possibility of renting a bike and visiting the island that way… pedalling!
Onwards, then! We reach the footbridge connecting the island with the mainland and off we go! Impossible to get lost, there is a unique footbridge going into the island, a bit broken, but functional. Amidst palm trees, exotic vegetation, bird and animal sounds we reach the end of the walk. Here is a village of stilt houses, where some 500 fishermen live, with chickens, cows and other animals. And a few metres further on are two vegetation-covered ponds… with crocodiles!!! Huge!!! And iguanas and boas! All free! An incredible sight!
Early afternoon a quick visit to the steps leading to the highest point of the city, admire the view and then down to the bus station to go to montañita, a small town on the coast…. 🏃🏻