Guayaquil is the port city of Ecuador. With almost 3 million people, it is the second biggest city in Ecuador. Tourists often think that Guayaquil has nothing to offer, but that is not true. There are more than enough things to visit in this city. Read here everything you want to know about what the city has to offer. Besides that, Guayaquil is a good base for day trips in Guayas and the surrounding states. Most trips are around 1,5 hours away from Guayaquil. You can either visit these places by bus, which leaves from the bus terminal, or ask at the reception of your hotel to find you a trusted taxi driver who can take you. I have summed up for you the top six day trips from Guayaquil that I highly recommend.
1. Bodega Dos Hemisferios
The first trip I would recommend is a tour at the vineyard Dos Hemisferios. Dos Hemisferios is a vineyard that made the impossible possible. It is challenging to harvest grapes for wine in a country like Ecuador as it is in the middle of the world and therefore lacks the four seasons. However, they were able to create high-quality wines. For this reason, their first wine is called Paradoja (meaning: Paradox). This red wine consists of 50% Malbec and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The vineyard location is in a small town called San Miguel del Morro. It is a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Guayaquil. They offer full-day tours, which cost around 135 dollars per person, and you can buy your ticket through their webpage. The price includes a guided tour around the vineyard and winery, tasting the wines, three-course lunch, and a personalized bottle of the red wine Paradoja. Do not worry if you have no time to visit the vineyard. They often organize tastings in local restaurants in Guayaquil, and they also have a shop in Guayaquil, where they sell all their different wines. Please look them up on Instagram as they share events here if you want more information.
2. Garza Roja Parque Cultural
If you are traveling with children, this activity is perfect for you! It can be pretty hot in Guayaquil. Garza Roja Park is an excellent escape from the heat. At this place, you can cool down and enjoy the outdoors. Garza Roja Park is a recreation area where you can appreciate nature and culture. The park has several pools with waterslides. There are also pools for the little ones. Besides swimming pools, there are also musea, sculptures, and activities such as horse riding or canoeing. There are restaurants and restrooms. It is a perfect getaway from the city with children or just if you enjoy nature.
Garza Roja is a one hour drive from Guayaquil, located at km 37 via Daule, Nobol. There is a fee of $3 on weekdays to enter the park. If you like to visit on the weekend, there is a fee of $6 for adults and $3 for children.
3. Visit the Beach
If you want to spend your last days in Ecuador at the beach, you should go to Playas. In less than 1,5 hours, you are at the beach. Several buses go back and forth between Guayaquil and Playas from the bus terminal. Many people from Guayaquil can be found at these beaches on the weekend to enjoy the sun and sea. At the beach, you can rent a parasol and chairs for just $5. On the beach, locals will sell you different typical foods such as ceviche, bollo, coconuts, or local handicrafts, and there are many restaurants with good food and cocktails.
4. Cacao Farm
From Guayaquil, you can join an organized trip to Churute Forest and a Cocoa Farm. It is a full-day tour, and the price is around $135 per person. The organization will pick you up from your hotel, and you will return to your hotel at the end of the day. The guide speaks English and is very knowledgeable. During the tour in the Churute Forest, you will learn about the different plants, trees, birds, and monkeys that you can find here. If you are lucky, you might hear or even see monkeys.
After that, you will drive to the cocoa farm, where they will serve you lunch. The family of the organic cocoa farm will show you the processes for making chocolate. You will also be able to taste, harvest and roast the beans yourself so that you can make your chocolate bar. They also grow all sorts of fruits that you may taste at the farm. It is one of the top day trips to do from Guayaquil! You can buy tickets through TripAdvisor.
5. Hacienda La Danesa
Hacienda la Danesa is a family-owned farm that offers different types of activities and has the availability of luxury cottages. From here, you can take day trips to the Ingapirca Ruins. You can also visit Hacienda la Danesa just for a day. This location is just one hour from Guayaquil. They organize trips that include a three-course lunch, a cacao tour, milking the cows in the garden, tubing in the river, and riding bikes. The cost for a day cost around 122 dollars for adults, and for children up to 12 years, it is $73. La Hacienda la Danesa is a beautiful escape from rural Guayaquil.
6. Naranjal Waterfalls
The last trip that I would recommend is Cascadas el Naranjel. Just one and a half hours from Guayaquil, you can find the national park of Naranjal. In this park, you can find no less than seven waterfalls. It is a well-preserved park with different trails, which are well maintained. There are two main trails, one easy and one track for the more experienced hiker. You can bathe in the waterfalls if you like, which is a great experience.
I would recommend coming prepared as your shoes get wet and you won’t find places with food. Take a backpack with you with some snacks and enough water.
There are many things to do from Guayaquil and your stay will be wonderful with any of these six trips!
