Located on the western bank of the Guayas River, Guayaquil is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, and the capital of the Ecuadorian province of Guayas. Central to the urban life of the city is the malecon, or promenade along the Guayas River, where people come to eat and play. Art galleries have set up shop in 400-year-old houses In Las Peñas, the artistic center of the city, and the Mercado Artesanal offers shopping for indigenous crafts, jewelry, and paintings. Guayaquil was founded by Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Orellana in 1538. Show All
