There's been a high increase of crime in Guayaquil in 2009, especially violent crime.
Guayaquil is well-known as Ecuador's most dangerous and violent city. Always remain aware of your surroundings. Don't pay attention to anyone trying to speak to you on the streets, not even to wealthy-looking people or beggars. Avoid walking alone around the downtown area at night, especially off Avenue 9 de Octubre or well-lit areas. Don't flash money or valuable things in public. Never walk in suspicious areas. Guayaquil is especially dangerous at night, so avoid walking on streets at night.
Attacks have been reported where someone will distract the target so that the attacker can put a choke hold on the victim from behind and make the victim pass out in order to easily rob the person. It is better to radio taxis instead of hailing one off the street, as there has been many cases of robberies involving taxi cabs in the last year. It is better to avoid wearing jewelry that is expensive or appears to be of high quality.
Be aware in Plaza Centenario, especially when it is very crowded. The only relative safe areas in downtown Guayaquil are Avenue 9 de Octubre, Malecón 2000, Malecón del Salado, Las Peñas, and Plaza de la Administración. Don't ever cross any other street unless you know where you are.The inside of Malecón 2000 is absolutely safe during the day and night. There are tons of security guards hanging around during the day. Same applies to the banking blocks which are one respectively two blocks away from the Malecón.
In a nutshell: The best you can do is to stay mostly in a range of two to four blocks from the Malecón 2000; this is the area protected best and which can be seen as relatively secure compared with the rest of the town.
The only drinkable water is bottled water.
contact
There are cyber cafes around to communicate with distant friends and relatives. These often have telephone booths for making VoIP phone calls. Some malls Mall del Sol, Riocentro Los Ceibos even offer free Wi-Fi in the food courts, in addition to free entertainment. Buy $30 worth of groceries at Mi Comisariato and get a two for one coupon to the movies. A single weekday ticket is $2.80 as of 3 January 2007.
cope
Several consulates have offices in Guayaquil such as:
United States
Germany
Greece
The Netherlands
Syria
Switzerland
Japan
Colombia
England
Israel
Mexico: Pedro Carbo No. 555 y Vélez. 5934 232-0964, 232-8114, 232-8117. www.sre.gob.mx/guayaquil