Guayas Province
Ecuador's most populous coastal province, centered on its largest city, Guayaquil, and a key gateway for flights to the Galápagos.
Guayas lies on the Pacific coastal plain of southwestern Ecuador, with the Guayas River flowing through it; the capital, Guayaquil, is the country's largest city and main port. In Guayaquil, travelers typically stroll the Malecón 2000 riverfront promenade, explore the old Las Peñas neighborhood and visit Seminario Park (also called Iguana Park). The province also has mangrove reserves and cocoa and banana plantations. The climate is hot, with a rainy season from roughly December to May; the dry season is more comfortable. José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport has direct flights to the Galápagos Islands.