Located in the

coast of Ecuador

, Guayaquil is the main port and biggest city in the country. It’s also one of its main tourist destinations, as it offers a wide range of cultural, historical, family and nightlife attractions, while being only a couple of hours away from some of the

best beach towns in Ecuador.

Visiting Las Peñas, where the

historical and traditional side of Guayaquil

has blend with some bohemian and alternative initiatives, is one of the top things to do in Ecuador. That colorful and cosy neighborhood lays at the slope of the Santa Ana hill and close to some of the best

Guayaquil hotels

, bars and restaurants. Right next to it, the famous Malecon 2000 also hosts some of the most important historical monuments of the city, as well as exuberant tropical gardens, cultural and entertainment centers, coffee shops, restaurants and markets. All of it along the edge of the great Guayas River.

But if what you’re looking from your time in Guayaquil is more related to lifestyle and entertainment, neighborhoods like Urdesa, Los Ceibos or Samborondon are ideal spots. Expect modern architecture, high class gastronomy, stylish discotheques and welcoming malls and gallerias, as well as some of the fanciest hotels in Guayaquil.

Some of the reasons why Ecuador is a unique destination are the amazing beaches and charming little villages of its

Pacific Coast Region

.

The northern province of Esmeraldas, known also as the Emerald

Coast of Ecuador

, covers an area of exuberant tropical forests that end up in the most beautiful beaches. It’s one of the top things to do in Ecuador for locals, mostly from Quito and the towns around it, so expect it to be quite crowded during holidays and summer vacations. The best part of this region is that it has good weather almost all year long.

Further down in the map is Manabí, a coastal region of Ecuador known for having some of the best beaches in Ecuador, with clear blue waters and outstanding national parks. As a matter of fact, some people called one of its main destinations the “small Galapagos” due to its beauty and wildlife diversity.

In the southern part of the country you’ll also find outstanding beaches in the provinces of Santa Elena, Guayas and El Oro. Mostly in Santa Elena, famous for having some of the best beach towns in Ecuador and hosting thousands of international tourists every year. Here the landscape changes drastically, with desert-like surroundings and a sunny and dry season that goes from December to May.

Probably most of the bananas “banano” you’ve eaten in your life come from Ecuador, and a big percentage of the chocolates you’ve enjoyed must have been made with cacao from this beautiful country. The truth is that not only nature, landscapes and historical cities are the best of Ecuador, but also the products that are traditionally grown in its rich lands.

Banano is the second most important product of Ecuadorian’s exports after petroleum, so if you’re visiting the southern part of the Pacific Coastal Region, pay attention to the huge plantations you’ll see on the road. And if you’re the kind of traveller that enjoys of experiencing the culture within, join some of the Banano Tours that some farms are offering as an alternative for sustainable tourism.

On its behalf, cacao and chocolate have a long history of production and exportation in the country, but it wasn’t until the last two decades when innovation and sustainability came to the table and changed the panorama. Before that, the international brands where known for having the best chocolate in the market without anyone knowing – or wondering where the cacao actually came from. But nowadays, Ecuador cocoa beans have a strong reputation among experts and consumers, and the Ecuadorian brands of cacao and chocolate export their products all around the world.