Hey sighsee,
I'm flying into Guayaquil in March and plan on watching whales on the coast and hanging out by the beach. After that I wanted go to the Northern coast of Peru and explore there. I'm really interested in checking out the bioluminescence in Montanita and the wildlife in general. Has anyone had any experience exploring this region, and does anyone have any advice on renting a motorcycle? Also curious if anyone has been up to Esmereldas and what their thoughts on it are. Lastly, is Guayaquil worth more than a few days?
Also, LatAm thread since I didn't see one.
Bump. Should've put a reference to cooking or SEA in somewhere.
> Lastly, is Guayaquil worth more than a few days?
No, not unless you're willing to embed yourself for a few months. If you're just going as a tourist you can basically see all you need to in a day and a half.
That's the vibe I'm getting. Though I'm willing to give the place a chance for a weekend. I fly in on a late Thursday.
My ultimate destination is Mancora in Peru. Guayaquil is the closest international airport. Plus Montanita looks fun, so I thought I'd check it out. I want to spend as much time on the coast as possible.
I think I found a rental service for a motorcycle. Is 50 bucks a day reasonable (It's a 400)?
Why mancora? I mean it's nice but not worth going so far out of your way to somewhere so niche.
Never rented a bike but I'd imagine you'd have trouble taking a rented bike across the border, if you were wanting to do that it may be worth flying into Lima and doing that there. Either way, why mancora? Not a great beach, not a great area
I've got a friend that has a business there, so I figured I'd visit and drop some things off to them. I don't know how long I'll stay, but it seems like a chill spot to get some swimming/exploring in. I'll more than likely be heading back to Ecuador and hitting Vilcobamba and Cuenca. I'm surprised I'm not getting more questions about flying into Guayaquil, everyone I talk to in the US thinks I'm about to get my shit pushed in and blown up
And yeah, I didn't think I'd be able to get a motorcycle over the border.
Guayaquil is tourist heaven, you're only getting people from burger land staying that because it sounds like all the people you know haven't left your state let alone the country before. Ecuador is one of the safest places in SA and Guayaquil even more so as it's where all the rich boomers get on their Galapagos cruises from so there's little to no crime there.
Interesting about your friends business, I would say apart from a bit of surf and a few hostels there's very little going on in mancora, or at least there wasn't when I was there last. If you're just going somewhere to chill out then fair enough but for extended period of time I think you'll be bored, rather than going south I would recommend north and checking out Colombia, it's got everything that you could possibly ask for, plus no widespread protests like Peru currently has
I was gonna say this. Guayaquil is beautiful in spots, and has an old world vibe. I recommend shorts with zippers because the worst thing that'll happen is people will bump into you and try to get their hands in your pockets. Crime doesn't target tourists because peoples moms try making a living off tourists in the center.
I'm kinda over Colombia. I've been there quite a bit and want to explore someplace new.
On a scale of 1-Cartagena, how bad is the street prostitution?
Literally no one goes to Guayaquil that's not going to the Galapagos Islands, it's a shit hole jump off. Also the Galapagos are amazing, you must go there if you're going to Guayaquil, you'll massively regret it if you don't go
If you're going to northern peru subscribe to el tio lenguao y descocaos or better yet, go stay with them! they opened a hostel i think
I watched a few of their videos, I already have accommodations lined up, but I'll check out some of their reccs. Thanks anon.
gracias senor