Hello,
My husband and I are travelling through South America right now and have been in Guayaquil the past two days. The tourist spot in Guayaquil is called Cerro Santa Ana, there is a fortress and a lighthouse. My husband and I were on our way to this spot and our cab driver dropped us off on the road Vernaza y Carbo (which is near the location) as we walked down the street three men ran at us from behind and ripped the backpack from my back, when my husband tried to stop them they pulled a gun out at him. The police were very nice and helpful, and luckily it was only our cameras, a cellphone, and our Lonely Planet South America On A Shoestring book that were stolen, not our passports or money.
People need not reply to this posting I just wanted to warn other travellers to stay away from the road Vernaza y Carbo, which on the map is just south of Cerro Santa Ana, it is a dangerous part of town and I don´t want anyone to have happen to them what happened to us, it was very scary and unnerving. Also when getting into a cab, make sure they know exactly where you want to go, because ours willingly dropped us off in the bad part of town (which apparently is well known in the city).
Hello,
It is strange I would say...
you should have gone all the way thru the Malecon 200o, 1st, great for visiting and hottest spot in the city and one of the best in south america!, after than and only then you go to the Cerro Santa Ana at the end of the Malecon... it is full of guards and it pretty safe there.
I guess the taxi driver in some way was connected to this people.. mmm. it seems like he wanted you two to be drop at the wrong side..
However every tourist starts at the Malecon and ends at the Cerro Sta Ana. anyway too bad what happened you 2. It is always recommended in Guayaquil to ask a bilingual person at the Hotel or a a cyber cafe, to write down or even ask teh person for you to the taxi driver to take you "safely" this address... or there etc.
Warmly
David V
I am so sorry for the bad things you have had to endure during your visit to Guayaquil; as every city around the world, we too are plagued by the fact that we have bad episodes; however, we would like for you to tell your readers, we have a very special group of people in Guayaquil, called the Dukers, we are a bunch of people who volunteer our time to hep travelers from around the world who would contact us through FB at Dukers Viajeros; we will arrange picking you up at the airport or land terminal, take to a safe hotel or hostal according to your needs.. then arrange rides or walks around the city by the hand of these volunteers who know theur city and do it all, only for the love of their city... at absolutely no charge... Soon, we will also have a web page... we have volunteers who speak several languages... in my case I master English and my native language is Spanish. ...
Graciela G. Wakefield
a Dukers Volunteer dedicated to safe tourism in Guayaquil.
Look for us on FB DUKERS VIAJEROS.
pr Tu amigo en Guayaquil
I've been reading the comments on lonely planet about our city: Guayaquil.
As you say, Guayaquil is sourrounded by nice places to visit. That's true. And it has become a great city to be visited. Most of the inhabitants are engaged to take care of the city and welcome tourist when visiting Guayaquil. I hope the negative experience lived for this couple would be just an exception of the great friendship given for Guayaquileños to everybody who comes to our city.
trusted partner
