Guayaquil is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, its only port. There are upwards of 2.5 million people living in and around the city. Unlike Quito, which is restricted because of its high altitude, this is where most of Ecuador’s industry is located.

After seating their government in Quito, the Spanish conquistadors moved quickly to create a port out of Guayaquil, but unable to defend it properly it was repeatedly ransacked by pirates until after Ecuadorian independence in 1820. Piracy was on the decline, but the new Ecuadorian nation vowed to sanctify Guayaquil’s independence, and ever since it has developed the character of being Ecuador’s most important city. Most of the country’s developing economy is located here.

The airport, convention center and city center -- including its new seafront boardwalk -- are modern, attractive and Ecuador’s main link with the outside world. But like many quickly growing developing cities in South America, there is high unemployment and a visible lack of social services for many of the communities on the outskirts of the city, often near heavily industrialized areas.

In contrast to Quito with its somewhat laid-back and progressive social policies, Guayaquil is all business, conservative and always busy. Near the equator on the seaside, the climate is hot and humid year-round.