Yesterday was a free day in Guayaquil, so we went down to the waterfront, checked out the Parque de los Iguanas and a museum, and walked along El Malecon 2000, which is a revitalized strip along the water (when the Guaya River enters the Pacific) with touristy promenade, shops, view points, gardens. It connects up with a walk up a hill through an area that is a cleaned-up version of a barrio with narrow streets, shops and restaurants (mostly closed on Tuesday afternoon) to the lighthouse on top. (In fact, the walk reminded us somewhat of Prague.) A hot climb of about 500 steps (they are numbered). Overall the Malecon was a pleasant place to walk but it could have been any tropical city. Guayaquil is not exactly known as a destination city.

Walked up Av. 9 de Octobre which has banks and commercial buildings, as far as the Centenario Park. Afterwards, we read in the guidebook that the area around that park was not a safe place to wander. It did get a little dodgy looking, but that made it more interesting. Got a taxi back to the hostel, which was quite a distance away.

I must say that the hostel – DreamKapture – has been excellent, for $11/day/person with shared bath. (I think the dorm rooms are $10.)

This afternoon we will go to the airport to fly back to Lima. Tomorrow we will either shop and/or top up our suntans before leaving for home just before midnight.