Nicknamed ‘The Pearl of the Pacific’, the port city of Guayaquil is known as the gateway to Ecuador’s Pacific beaches and the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands. As the country’s second-largest city, this vibrant sprawling metropolis is home to a dizzying number of bars and restaurants and a growing theatre, film and arts scene. During your trip, walk to the top of Santa Ana hill to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city, stroll along the promenade that runs along the river, visit the famous Iguana Park, and the Iglesia de San Francisco church, a 16th-century Roman Catholic complex that takes you back to the colonial era.