Destination guide: Guayaquil

Cuisine

Traditional Guayaquil cuisine is a true culinary art where the land and sea offer up their best to seduce the palate of tourists and locals alike.

Fish, shellfish and crustaceans like lobster, crab and shrimp are some of the leading ingredients you will find in the area. Chefs also offer a myriad of local beef dishes that are usually accompanied with potatoes, rice or fried plantain.

Currency

The official currency of Ecuador is the US dollar (US$) which replaced the country's former currency - the Sucre - in 2000. Bills are available in 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 dollar; coins are available in 1 dollar and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent.

Tax

All goods and services for purchase in Guayaquil and in Ecuadorian territory include a 12% Value Added Tax (VAT).

Official language

The official language spoken in Guayaquil and throughout Ecuador is Spanish, but there are variations depending on the zone of the country including Coastal, Andean and Amazonian.

Time zone

Ecuador is divided into two time zones: GMT -5 on the mainland (also known as ECT or Ecuador Time) and GMT -6 in the Galapagos province.

Electric current

Electrical outlets in Quayaquil operate at 120 volts and 60 Hertz. If any of your electronic devices operate at a different voltage, you are encouraged to travel with a power adapter.