Guayaquil

Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador. This article also covers Durán, which is a UNESCO Creative City on the other side of the river.

Understand

Guayaquil is a sea port, and its personality derives much from that fact. Also, the climate is hot and humid. These two factors give the city a 'Caribbean' soul, where foreigners are usually well received, tropical music rules and seafood is a must do. An old travel book once counted the attractions in Guayaquil as one: "The Public Cemetery". Not so, anymore; the city has undergone a great change as a result of great efforts made by the city administrators. Now you can find great parks and green areas all over the city (for example Peñas and the Malecon), and the city has a new look which attracts tourism from inside and outside the country.

History

Guayaquil was founded on July 25, 1538 with the name "Muy Noble y Muy Ciudad de Santiago de Guayaquil" by Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Orellana. Before the city was founded by the Spanish, it was a native village.

In 1600 Guayaquil had a population of about 2,000 people; by 1700 the city had a population of over 10,000.

In 1687, Guayaquil was attacked and looted by English and French pirates under the command of George d'Hout (English) and Picard and Groniet (Frenchmen). Of the more than 260 pirates, 35 died and 46 were wounded; 75 defenders of the city died and more than 100 were wounded. The pirates took local women as concubines. Quito paid the ransom demanded by the pirates with the condition they release the hostages and not burn Guayaquil.

In 1709, the English captains Woodes Rogers, Etienne Courtney, and William Dampier and 110 other pirates looted Guayaquil and demanded ransom; however, they suddenly departed without collecting the ransom after an epidemic of yellow fever broke out.

In October 9, 1820, almost without bloodshed, a group of civilians supported by soldiers from the "Granaderos de Reserva", a battalion quartered in Guayaquil, overwhelmed the resistance of the Royalist guards and arrested the Spanish authorities. Guayaquil declared independence from Spain, becoming the "Provincia Libre de Guayaquil". Today Guayaquil is the main port and financial center of Ecuador.

Get in

By plane

If you are planning to visit the Galápagos Islands, Guayaquil is the cheapest place from which to fly. There are two air carriers that will take you to the Galapagos Islands and to the Ecuadorean mainland: Avianca and LATAM which have non-stop daily flights. Departing from Guayaquil is cheaper than leaving from Quito ($375 vs. $500, Jan 2019); it's closer and most of the Quito flights make an stop at Guayaquil's airport for refueling and picking up passengers. An international departure airport tax is included in the price of the ticket.

By car

If you are driving, your horn is your best friend. Be careful, as the city is full of aggressive drivers, but if you are always on the defensive you won't get anywhere. Gas stations are full service.

You can also rent a car cheaply just outside the airport, paying around $40 a day (Apr 2019). Carmax is one of the less expensive yet reliable companies available. Avis and Europcar also have offices at the airport.

By bus

Cruz del Sur operate international bus services from Peru.

Within the city the local bus system is confusing but the locals will help you get where you want to go. It is also the cheapest way to get around the city as there is no metro system. For women it is safest if you sit at the front near the driver, but don't be alarmed, the bus is a safe way to travel around Guayaquil.

Guayaquil's bus terminal is well organized, but keep a close eye on your belongings. There are frequent connections to almost every destination in Ecuador. Keep your items close to you during the midnight check points. The police will steal valuables when the men leave the bus to be checked for weapons; this occurs on night busses around Ecuador.

By boat

Guayaquil’s port is the biggest in Ecuador. You can travel to the Galápagos Islands and other destinations from here.

Get around

By Metrovia

Metrovía is a modern bus rapid transit system that runs mostly from north to south and east to west of the city. The fare per ride costs 25 cents (as of 2017). You can use either cash or an electronic card (la Tarjeta Metrovía) to pay. It is a reliable and easy-to-navigate transport system; has modern buses and stops. It offers a good connection between downtown and to the main bus terminal and the airport. The Rio Daule terminal is across the street from the main bus terminal and some blocks away (around 15 minutes walking) from the airport. Match the code of the bus (e.g. T1, CS, T3) with the station where are you heading to, since not all buses stop at all stations. You can use the map posted at each station for this purpose. The following stations will drop close by to some tourist attractions: La Catedral, Las Peñas, Jardines del Malecón, Banco Central and Biblioteca Municipal.

By bus

Within the city the local bus system is confusing, but the locals will help you get where you want to go. It is also the cheapest way to get around the city as there is no metro system. For women it is safest if you sit at the front near the driver. The bus is not a good idea in Guayaquil. The boys take your cell phones and other items. Ask for a taxi at the hotel you are staying. Get the driver's ID and a business card from him. Not all yellow taxis are safe. Travel in pairs at night.

By taxi

Taxis range from "taxi amigos" (un-marked taxis you call to pick you up) to the standard yellow cabs. Taxi drivers will try to overcharge tourists. Nicer taxis are metered by GPS, but the majority of taxis do not have meters. Always agree on a price (or make sure the meter is running) before you get into a cab.

Cabify, a Spanish ride-hailing app, and Uber are available in Guayaquil. The apps provide guaranteed pricing, payment by credit card, and an English-language interface.

By car

You can also rent a car at one of the places just outside the airport. Prices range from $40 (Apr 2019). Anyone with a driver's license from their home country can drive as a tourist in Ecuador. However, if you are involved in a crash the police may take both drivers to jail until they sort everything out and decide what happened. Just take a taxi. It's the safest way to travel in GYE. Always take the taxi at night.

See

These places are located in the downtown area, near the main hotels and at the heart of the regenerated area, a very secure walk.

  • The 🌍 Malecon Simón Bolivar. It is a long park beside the chocolaty Rio Guayas ("Guayas River"), with shops, an IMAX theater, gardens, and a beautiful view of the river and downtown. From north to south:
    • La Planchada - a bastion sort of point with cannons that could be fired at pirate ships.
    • MAAC : Museo Antropológico y de Arte Contemporáneo Museum - contemporary art, ceramics, archaeological exhibits.
    • Cinemamalecón - 4k streaming in a 3D movie theater
    • LA PERLA "Rueda Moscovita" - ferris wheel
    • Jardines del Malecón Simón Bolivar
    • Hemicycle De La Rotonda - a tribute to the 1822 session between liberators Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín.
    • Torre Morisca - 1930s octagonal clock tower.
    • Muelle "Barco Pirata - Henry Morgan" - where a touristy pirate ship docks.
    • Centro Comercial Malecón - riverside shopping center.
  • The 🌍 Malecon del Salado is next to the "Estero Salado" (an estuary of sea water). Here you can enjoy fresh air and wonderful sunsets, lighted fountain and bridgeworks, with local food and market pavilion, and a safe parkway, with a few happy iguanas.
  • The renewed downtown area (Area regenerada), very secure to walk and look around:
    • 🌍 Museo Municipal - natural history, ethnography, local relics.
    • 🌍 Museo Nahim Isaias - 16th-19th century colonial paintings and artwork.
    • 🌍 Central Bank Building - several giant paintings on the outside of the building.
    • 🌍 Parque Seminario - home to hundreds of iguanas.
    • 🌍 Catedral Metropolitana De Guayaquil
    • 🌍 Parque Centenario - park and column celebrating the centennial of the city's independence.
    • 🌍 Presley Northon Museum - archaeological displays pertaining to the area.
  • Las Peñas, where the city was founded, has been rebuilt and painted bright colors where most of Guayaquil's colonial buildings are.You can walk up the 400-odd steps lined with ice cream and snack vendors to the top from the Malecon Simón Bolivar (northern end of Malecon 2000), where you'll find a lighthouse called 🌍 Faro Las Peñas (Mirador 360°)], museum called Museo El Fortín, and chapel called Iglesia del Cerro Santa Ana.
  • Santa Ana & El Carmen hills. You can see almost the whole city from here, particularly from the 🌍 Lookout Tower] or 🌍 Monumento Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Guayaquil
  • Markets. You can visit the 🌍 Mercado Artesanal where you can buy some very cheap souvenirs from all regions of Ecuador. Near the Malecon Simón Bolivar.
  • The 🌍 Patrimonial Cemetery Of The Charity Board Of Guayaquil north from the centre has a few impressive graves and statues and plenty of more normal graves. Worth a visit if you're into graveyards.

Other interesting places near Guayaquil:

  • 🌍 Parque Histórico, an interesting recreation of the early 20th century years of Guayaquil, the look, the people and the food. Includes a small zoo.

The following places are interesting to see if you are daring:

  • 6 de Marzo is an interesting street to visit about 10 blocks from the downtown area during the week before New Year's Eve, because the street is lined with "Años Viejos" or old years, papier-mâché figures ranging in size from about 30 cm (12 in) up to 3 m (10 feet) tall. These are often political, movie or cartoon characters.
  • Cocoa or banana plantations are located around Guayaquil city.

Do
  • "Captain Morgan", rides up and down the Rio Guayas aboard a pirate ship. You can catch it at Malecon Simón Bolivar. Bring out your inner pirate.
  • Traditionally, Salinas has been the main beach, but since 2008 General Villamil Playas has attracted a big part of the local and international tourism. Fishing, surfing, and other water sports. Many modern hotels and delicious sea food. Interesting night life. Wonderful whalewatching during June to September. These are both quite a distance from the city, along the coast.
  • 🌍 Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco (about 15 km west of city on Route E40). 08ː00-16ː00 daily. Hilly forest reserve where you can do some hiking. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 🌍 Reserva Ecologica Manglares Churute (about 30-40 km east of the city). Forest reserve with a nice 1.4 km hiking path. 
  • 🌍 Finca Cumanda. Cocoa farm and artisanal chocolate factory. Can be visited on a day tour with Viasm, together with Reserva Churute. 
  • 🌍 El Lago Park (20 km or so west of downtown). Kind of a swampy ecopark where you can see birds and other terrestrial critters. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 🌍 Botanical Garden, Calle 24B NO 59-2005, ☏ +593 4-289-9689. Here you can do some botanical study. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 🌍 Zoo el Pantanal, Km. 23 vía a Daule, ☏ +593 4 226 7047. Rescued animals and such, nice jaguars. (updated Nov 2020)

Learn

Biblioteca Municipal de Guayaquil (Municipal Library of Guayaquil) serves as the public library of Guayaquil.

There are many language schools and some universities. Guayaquil is also home to the only U.S. accredited college in all of South America, Broward College, Ecuador.

Work

Lots of English speakers work at English academies or schools teaching English. Legally, they should have some kind of visa that permits them to work, but some schools don't pay much attention to the legal status of the teachers. Wages are not up to U.S. standards and hours can be rough (mornings, evening and Saturdays), but a passable living is possible. Some people come to Ecuador to work specifically because the economy is dollarized.

Buy

There are about 20 malls in the city. A nice place to buy is Via Samborondon.

  • Mall del Sol
  • Mall del Sur
  • Riocentro Norte
  • City Mall
  • Riocentro Los Ceibos
  • Riocentro Sur
  • Riocentro Entreríos
  • San Marino
  • Alban Borja
  • Garzocentro
  • Policentro
  • Village Plaza, near Riocentro Entreríos.

Besides that, there are several popular spots like:

  • Mercados Artesanal
  • La Bahia, just off the southern end of the Malecon Simón Bolivar. Huge market area full of shops and stalls of almost anything imaginable. Because it is so cheap you will have lower social class people and have to be a little careful with belongings.

Eat
  • There are many traditional dishes to try, such as encebollado, seco de pollo, ceviche, and caldo de salchicha.
  • There are also many international fast food chains throughout the city such as Burger King, Wendy's, KFC, McDonald's, Taco Bell and Pollo Tropical.
  • Parrillada del Ñato; foods such pizza, grilled meat, and more are served.
  • Red Crab. Coastal food: fish, crabs, shrimp; a big variety of dishes and combinations. A little pricey for the medium. Has two locations: 1. in Urdesa: Av. V.E.Estrada 1205 y Laureles. 2. in Samborondón: Plaza Nova, Km. 2,5 vía a Samborondón. 
  • Chinese restaurants (Chifas) are found throughout the city, and their food is very good.
  • 'El Patacón' restaurant in Urdesa serves local cuisine, mostly based on verde (green bananas also known as 'Plátano Macho' in Central America).
  • Vegetarian food is not very common in Guayaquil, but there is a guesthouse in the Centro called Manso that serves quinoa and lentil hamburgers and other dishes that combine Ecuadorian ingredients in fast food format for veggies.

Budget
  • There is a lot of great cuisine in Guayaquil's centre. If you are more daring, you can go to this downtown area, near 9 de octubre avenue; there are Chinese restaurants called "chifas" and local restaurants where you can eat the seco de pollo, caldo de salchicha, etc.
  • A myriad of more upscale shopping opportunities and bars can be explored around the Urdesa neighborhood, especially along its main drag, Victor Emilio Estrada. Wonderful small food carts are scattered throughout, called "Carretillas". Common on the streets, those with "Shawarma" (the Lebanese gyro) are particularly delicious. These abound, due to a large expatriate Lebanese community which has been a part of Guayaquil for almost a century.

Mid-range
  • Lo Nuestro has a good variety of traditional dishes.
  • You can also go to a restaurant where the best 'encebollado' is sold. The place is called "Encebollado cordero"; it is near the IESS.

Splurge
  • Samborondon is in the northeast of the city. There are a lot of restaurants with a great variety of food. Here you can find Japanese, Italian, American, and local food, too.
  • Taberna Libanesa is an excellent place, located just behind the Supermaxi, Via Samborondon. Cozy and elegant, with excellent Lebanese food. They serve lunch and dinner and have a few tables on the veranda of this upscale shopping center.
  • Urdesa. In the Victor Emilio Estrada you can found a great variety of good food and also a nice place to visit.

Drink

Great nightlife; you can go to 5 or more discos in one night, and don't need to travel much. The usual price for entering is $10-$15 consumable, depending on where you go.

Usually the parties there last to 04:00. but you can always find something else to do in this city. Visit the "Zona Rosa", located at the secure regenerated area, with several options of night life. Several brands of beer are available.

  • El Gran Yate, Alborada (close to Dreamkapture). Crabs and beers, $1 a crab 
  • Bar los 80s, Local 12A, Av Las Monjas (in Aventura Plaza), ☏ +593 4 222 0203. Retro bar. Large iguana statue outside the Aventura Plaza center. Other bars and eateries here too. (updated Nov 2020)

Sleep

The city has hotels for every pocket and decent hotel rooms can be had for around $10 a night.

Budget
  • Fika Hotel Guayaquil Airport Suites Mall del Sol, Av. Juan Tanca Marengo Y Abel Romeo Castillo, Torre Del Sol 2 (Across street from Mall del Sol next to the Howard Johnson Hotel), ☏ +593 988899774, . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Luxury suites with full kitchen and fridge in the most exclusive area of Guayaquil near the airport complete with hot water, TV, Wi-fi, 24-hr staff and airport transfers, A/C, restaurants. From $49. 
  • Hotel Alexander, Luque 1107 y Avenida Quito (Very close to the Parque de Centenario), ☏ +593 4 2532000, . Check-out: 14:00. Neat and clean hotel, cheapest in its category, just a few blocks from 9 de Octubre Ave. Has hot water, TV, WIFI, internet cafe in lobby, A/C, restaurant, laundry service, room service. From $28. 
  • Hotel Andes Inn, L. de Garaycoa 1233 y C. Ballén, ☏ +593 4 2329796. Clean, good value hotel. Large sunny windows. Cable TV. Hot water. Internet in lobby. From $12. 
  • Hotel Berlín (Rumichaca y Sucre), ☏ +593 4 2524648. Cable TV, air conditioner, free and reliable Internet, kitchen. In the center of Guayaquil (very noisy!) near to Malecon 2000, Seminario Park. From $8; $14 for a double w/ AC and private bathroom. 
  • Hotel Sander, Luque 1101 (Very close to the Parque de Centennario), ☏ +593 4 2320030. Check-out: 13:00. Simple and clean place just a few blocks from the center of town. Rooms have TVs, fans and towels. From $9. 
  • Murali Hostal Airport Guayaquil, Garzota 2 La Salle y 3er Callejon esq. mz 135, ☏ +593-4-227-5533. Clean, safe, good value hotel 2 blocks from the airport and bus terminal in Guayaquil. Friendly dog on campus, AC, patio for smokers, free Wi-Fi in rooms. From $45. 
  • Casa Iguanazu Urdesa, y Calle Alianza, Manzana 188 solar 9, ☏ +593 99 986 7968. Ciudadela La Cogra, Manzana 1, Villa 2, off Avenida Julio Arosemena km 3,5. From bus terminal terrestre $5 by taxi. Most recommendable. Enjoy lovely views of Guayaquil in one of the hammocks on the large terrace or refresh yourself in the pool. Starting from $15 for dorm, private rooms are available up to matrimonial class with own Jacuzzi. Breakfast included, free internet access, modern cooking facilities, warm water and towels, friendly staff, nice guesthouse, very clean. 
  • Manso Boutique Guesthouse, Malecón Simón Bolivar 1406 y, Aguirre, ☏ +593 4-252-6644. Located in the city's centro, across the street from Malecon 2000, is a budget guesthouse that has full service riverview suites, and more economic rooms with and without air conditioner. Also rooms with shared bathroom and dorms @ US$10 per person. Nice deco, beautiful historic landmark building. 
  • 🌍 Airport Hotel Guayaquil, Near Airport Jose Joaquin de Olmedo (Av de Las Américas), ☏ +593 4 371 0165, . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Free Wi-Fi, laundry, private rooms, cable TV, hot water, clean rooms. From $49/person. 

Mid-range
  • Casa Boutique La Fontana. One of the best mid-range hotels in town, exceptional location, friendly staff, nice rooms, cable. Price is around $45 for a single, $50-55 for a double, but discounts are available. Córdova 918 y, Francisco Paula de Icaza esquina. +593 4-230-7230.

Splurge
  • 🌍 Grand Hotel Guayaquil (Hotel Guayaquil), 1615 Boyaca (10 min from airport), ☏ +593 4 232 9690. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. in the heart of the city. Beautiful pool, waterfalls, stunning stained glass windows of the Cathedral and a 14 m (45 ft) hanging garden. Good choice of breakfast. Wi-Fi in rooms and common areas. (updated Dec 2022)
  • 🌍 Hilton Colon Guayaquil, Av. Francisco de Orellana Mz. 111, ☏ +593 4 501 0000. A real bastion of a hotel. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 🌍 Oro Verde Guayaquil, Blvd. 9 de Octubre 414, ☏ +593 4 381 1000. run by the Swiss Administration (updated Nov 2020)
  • 🌍 Hotel Continental, Chile 512 (next to Parque Seminario), ☏ +593 4 232 9270. A real classy place. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 🌍 Wyndham Garden Guayaquil, Plaza del Sol, y Abel Romero Castillo, Av. Juan Tanca Marengo, ☏ +593 4 371 3690. Spa, bar, curved architectural lines (updated Nov 2020)
  • 🌍 Sheraton Guayaquil Hotel (across from the Mall del Sol). (updated Nov 2020)
  • 🌍 Courtyard by Marriott Guayaquil, Av. Francisco de Orellana 236 (in the new downtown of Guayaquil at Kennedy's North area), ☏ +593 4 600 9200. Spa, restaurant, formal glassy place. 144 guest rooms with complimentary high speed Internet access, comfortable beds and large work desks. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 🌍 Hampton Inn, Blvd. 9 de Octubre 432, ☏ +593 4 256 6700. Right in the middle of things with a sleek exterior and indoor hot tub. (updated Nov 2020)
  • 🌍 Unipark Hotel, 406 y, Chile 406, ☏ +593 4-232-7100. A chance to look out on the plaza and be next to the Unicentro Mall. (updated Nov 2020)

Northern suburbs
  • DreamKapture hostal, Alborada 12 Av. Etapa, Mz-02 Villa 21. A friendly hostel with a nice outside area. They offer a book exchange and the accommodation comes with a delicious breakfast. Prices are on a room basis, but if it's possible you can share it with other people. A dorm is $10 with breakfast. A single room with private bathroom and with air conditioner is $20, without a/c $18, breakfast included. They can pick you up from the airport and it will cost $10. $3 taxi to Malecon. 25 cents bus drive. Close to airport and bus terminal. However, be forewarned. DreamKapture does not allow Ecuadorians to stay on the premises. If you are traveling with an Ecuadorian, you'd best look elsewhere. 
  • Ecuahogar, Av. Isidro Ayora (Sauces Uno * Mz F-31 * Solar 20 ), +593 2245357 email youthostal@telconet.net ). Basic, but expensive rooms with a ventilator and television. Bathrooms are shared. Two bread rolls with marmalade and a coffee for breakfast is included in the price. A night in a single room costs $12. It is far from the attractions area but near the airport and the national bus station (Terminal Terrestre).

Connect

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.

Stay safe

Guayaquil is considered to be a dangerous place as of 2018. There is violent crime, and women travelers should be particularly careful. The port area and south Guayaquil are especially dangerous. Be aware in Plaza Centenario, especially when it is very crowded.

The U.S. Department of State warned in 2018 that:

"Visitors should exercise extreme caution in the downtown area and the southern part of Guayaquil. Tourist sites -- the Christ statue (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) on Cerro del Carmen, the Malecon 2000, and Las Peñas -- though well-patrolled by police, are targeted by criminals hoping to prey on unsuspecting tourists. There have also been reports of armed robberies at restaurants in the Urdesa and Samborondon areas."

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.

Use only official taxis, and radio taxis instead of hailing one off the street, as there have been many cases of robberies involving taxi cabs. Avoid wearing jewelry that is expensive or appears to be of high quality.

The only drinkable water is bottled water.

Cope

Consulates

Go next

Other places that you can visit are the beaches at Playas which is about 90 minutes away, and the more popular Salinas beach which is about two hours away up the Via la Costa.

Quito is about a 7-hour drive (less than an hour flight also for about $125 round trip, September 2009)

Cuenca is about a four hour drive (half-hour flight for about $120 round trip, September 2009) through beautiful and interesting scenery, including a mangrove preserve, cocoa and banana plantations, cloud forests and mountains.

Not too far out, perhaps 30-50 minutes, there is a beautiful cocoa plantation where they also make chocolate. The owners entertain tour groups by serving cocoa juice and plantain snacks before you are taken on a tour of the cocoa plantation right up to the final chocolate tasting. You are then entertained with a delicious local lunch. Absolutely fabulous! It is past the orchids farm on the same road. The cost is $110 per person when booked via tour operator Canodos. The tour operator is essential if you don't speak Spanish.

International buses

There are several bus companies that cross the border to Peru that are available from Guayaquil. Most services stop close to the main cities along the Panamericana motorway; such as Machala, Tumbes, Máncora, Piura and all the way to Lima.

  • CIFA: They have a stand inside the main terminal, within the international section. Usually this is the company that provides the cheapest services and a popular choice among backpackers. They have several departure times a day and different services. Procure the direct service that goes to your desired destination, since some services do stop a lot along the way. Their buses might have somewhat low cleaning standards.
  • Ormeño : Buses leave daily around 11:00 close to the main bus terminal, where their office is located. Just go to the terminal, ask for the office of Ormeño and walk 5 minutes outside the terminal. Ormeño has been in business for several years. Unfortunately, the buses were never renewed and are known for bad services, so air conditioning might not work. In case one should have problems at the Peruvian border, the bus drivers might not wait until the formalities are done.
  • Ecuatoriano Pullman : Departs everyday at 23:00 from the main station, where their stand is also located at the international section.

Nevertheless, other companies like Ruta De America and Caracol can be valuable alternatives. Routa de America goes from Guayaquil to Lima every Sunday. Call their office in Quito for more information.

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