City Map >> Guayaquil

Enjoy Guayaquil and its tropical surroundings

Guayaquil, the capital of the Guayas province, is the largest and most populous city in Ecuador. Located on the Pacific coast, it has a tropical climate, and is known as the ‘Pacific Pearl’. It is the main port of Ecuador, thus, it is of great economic importance to the country.
Legend tells that the city was named after an Indigenous Chief, "Guayas", and his wife, "Quil". Both of them chose to die before surrendering themselves to the Spaniards.

It was founded on July 25,1534, by Francisco de Orellana on the skirts of the Santa Ana hill. On the top of this hill you can observe cannons that were used to defend the city from pirate attacks. Few houses preserve their original architecture, with defense walls facing the river. Many of these houses were built at different levels on the hill, very typical of the Spaniards and Portuguese.
The surroundings of the city offer archaeological sites of the pre-Hispanic cultures of Valdivia, Machalilla, Chorrera, Guangala and Manteña. The gulf of Guayaquil, the river, the monuments, museums, parks, and its exhilarating nightlife are part of the attractions of this city.



MAIN ATTRACTIONS

Malecon 2002
Find entertainment, culture and nature on this 2.5 km waterfront walk! Malecon 2000 is the largest architectural development in the last century of Guayaquil´s history. It is a boardwalk that runs from Cuenca Street on the south of the city, all the way to "Barrio las Peñas" on the north.(map>)
Your walk up the Malecon 2000 will take you through three sections:

Northern:
Time for entertainment and fun! Children’s games, space for aerobics and skating, all these surrounded by the historical Plaza de Orellana, Plaza de la Pileta (water fountain) and Plaza del vagón, with a wagon of the antique Ecuadorian train.
There are also a planetarium, gardens that hold diverse plant species of the Ecuadorian coast, an Anthropological Museum and a Contemporary Art Museum. Also located in this section is the historical site of the fortress that served to defend the old city. The traditional houses of "Barrio las Peñas", the first residential neighborhood of Guayaquil, surround this structure.

Central:
This is the historical part of the walk, with the Civic Plaza with a gallery dedicated to the most outstanding personalities in Guayaquil’s history. You can also admire other monuments:
Hemiciclo de la Rotonda, Moorish or Clock Tower, Glorious Aurora’s Obelisk, a statue of a wild board donated by the Chinese community, among others. Four sculptures that represent the elements of nature: air, water, fire and earth, are also attractions for visitors. The Yatch Club of Guayaquil and the Naval Yatch Club are located in this section.

Southern:
The old market is found in this section. It was inaugurated in 1905, and its authorship is attributed to the famous French engineer Eiffel. It also houses the Club de la Unión, the most traditional social center in Guayaquil. Next you will run into the Olmedo Plaza, where a monument of José Joaquín de Olmedo, a famous poet from Guayaquil, President of Ecuador in the XIX century, is found. To conclude your visit through this section, visit the impressive modern architecture of the new Bahía Malecon Shopping Center, with its terrace of restaurants that offers a spectacular view of the Guayas River.



Schedules

Malecon El Salado
This boardwalk runs next to the ocean-water estuary with the same name. As Malecon 2000, it holds museums, shops, gardens and entertainment.

Santa Ana Hill and "Las Peñas" neighborhood
This lovely hill is located on the northern part of the city. Almost 500 stairs climb up the hill surrounded by charming colorful houses that hold restaurants, shops and art galleries. At the top of the hill, you can visit a small church and climb up a lighthouse that overlooks the whole city. Right next to the stairway is the “Las Peñas” neighborhood. Large wooden homes can be admired, which treasure memories from their famous inhabitants (such as our great writers and poets). This neighborhood exists since colonial times; it was however completely destroyed due to a fire in 1896 (el incendio grande.) It was rebuilt in a neoclassical style. Enjoy a stroll along the charming cobble stoned street Numa Pompillo Llona, full of small art galleries. You can also see the influence of the Pacific Naval Yards from the Spanish colonial area.

The Clock Tower
This Moorish style tower is the fifth location to house the old municipal clock of Guayaquil at 10 de Agosto Ave. and Malecon Street. The clock was bought in England thanks to a loan given by Don Manuel Antonio Lizárraga, a rich Spanish merchant, one of the illustrious figures of the Independence. The clock was inaugurated on October of 1842 just after the terrible epidemic yellow fever in Guayaquil, the worst in its history. In 1903, the clock was moved, tower and all, from City Hall that was demolished to Town Hall. However, from this location, the tolls that announced the hour could not be heard throughout the city, so two stories were built on to the tower. In 1920, the Italian engineer N. Bordeline built a tower of three prismatic parts entirely made of carved wood. Finally, due to structural flaws, this tower had to be demolished. At this time, the foreign colony residing in Guayaquil together with the City Council made the construction of the tower in a pure Mozarabic Style.

9 de Octubre Avenue
This is the main artery of the city, where dynamic banking, trading and industrial activities take place.

Centenario Park
It is located at the heart of the city and is also one of the largest in Guayaquil. There are bronze monuments, which represent heroism, justice, patriotism, and freedom. One monument representing the man who fought for independence was designed by a Spanish Sculptor, Agustin Querol, and built by José Monserrat in 1818.

"La Rotonda"
This historical monument is a spectacular semicircle commemorating the meeting of two Latin American liberators, Simón Bolívar and San Martin, when it was decided that Guayaquil be annexed to the Gran Colombia.The monument was designed and made by the Spanish sculptor Jose Antonio Homs and placed in 1937. From this historical site you can see the Guayaquil-Duran Bridge (the largest in our country).

"El Mirador"
On top of the Cerro del Carmen (the Carmen hill), you can enjoy a beautiful view of the entire city while visiting a monument of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a sculpture made from one large stone imported from Spain.

Civic Center
This modern center has an information office for tourists, exposition halls, convention halls, and other large areas for musical events, concerts, theaters, and other cultural events. On the upper floor of the civic center one can admire outstanding sculptures of Oswaldo Guayasamin. This artist has been ranked among the most outstanding artists of the world. This center has an artificial lake surrounded by exuberant vegetation.

General Cemetery
Although few cemeteries can be considered a tourist attraction, this one is worth seeing. It has outstanding sculptures made of white marble. The style has a strong Italian influence. Beautiful stretches of palm trees lead to the grave of the past president, Vicente Rocafuerte.

Seminario Park
Also known as the Bolívar Park or Iguanas Park, it is located on Chile Street between 10 de Agosto and Clemente Ballén Avenues. The park was inaugurated on July 24, 1880. You can admire the statue of the liberator Simon Bolívar. This park is exceptional for its wildlife. You will see fish, a variety of birds, and numerous iguanas. The iguanas of the park have always been one of its main attractions. These animals chose this place to feed themselves from its vegetation, because the town of Guayaquil used to end in this park and all the rest was savanna.

Sport Centers
Guayaquil is famous for its great sport facilities, which include one of the 20 biggest soccer stadiums in the world that holds up to 85,000 people. It also has a modern horse race track in which there are races every weekend. There are also tracks for kart, bicycle, motorcycle and car races; as well as basketball, golf and polo courts and great water sport facilities.



CHURCHES
The Cathedral:

It is located on the corner of Chimborazo and Clemente Ballén Avenues. Visiting hours: 9h00-12h00, and14h00-17h00 everyday. The Neo-Gothic Cathedral was built in 1948. The main altar is made of marble from Cuenca and its glass stained windows are beautiful art pieces.

La Merced:
Located on Rendón and Pedro Carbo Ave. Open all day. It has a gothic style and a gold covered altar.

Santo Domingo:
It is on Rocafuerte and Coronel Ave. Visiting hours: 8h00-12h00 and 15h00-18h00. The oldest church in Guayaquil, it was built in the 16th Century and was later restored in 1938. It is decorated with the famous paintings of Salas.

MUSEUMS

Casa de la Cultura:
Located at 9 de Octubre and Machala Street, it holds the most valuable pre-historic gold work collection in Ecuador. Most pieces were made by the indigenous inhabitants of our coast. You will see ceremonial pots, snake-shaped bracelets, nose rings, gold pieces that were used on the lips and cheeks, elaborate pins used to fasten clothing, chest shields, ceremonial masks and earrings. The abundance of gold p rovoked the greed of the Spanish conquerors, which hoarded and sent vast quantities of this precious metal back to Spain.

Thus, gold workmanship disappeared due to the Indigenous belief that gold was evil, being the main cause of having Spaniards come to their lands. Archeological objects such as the "Ocarinas" (clay whistles), stone head rests, molds for gold masks and clay seals, apparently have Egyptian influence. There are many colonial paintings from anonymous authors and from well-known artists of this period (such as Goribar and Rodriguez).

The Municipal Museum:
Located at the corner of Sucre Street and Pedro Carbo. Visiting hours: Thursdays through Saturdays from 9h00 - 17h00. Sundays only during the morning. This museum has four divisions: Archeology, History, Colonial Art and Modern Art. In this museum you will see the "tzanzas" (shrunken heads). Certain tribes of the jungle had a secret process to reduce the size of the human heads, of enemies cut in battle. These miniature heads do not lose their original features when reduced. The mystery of this process has not yet been discovered.

The Municipal Museum:
Located at the corner of Sucre Street and Pedro Carbo. Visiting hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9h00-12h00 and from 15h00-18h00. Sundays only during the morning. This museum has four divisions: Archeology, History, Colonial Art and Modern Art. In this museum you will see the "tzanzas" (shrunken heads). Certain tribes of the jungle had a secret process to reduce the size of the human heads, of enemies cut in battle. These miniature heads do not lose their original features when reduced. The mystery of this process has not yet been discovered.



The Pacific Bank Museum:
Located at Icaza and Pichincha Ave, it has an interesting collection of artifacts and archeological displays.

Historical Park
A natural habitat of mangrove trees, the fresh waters of the Daule River, and the tropical climate of the place are the perfect setting to bring the past back to life in this 20 acre park. In a one day visit one can encounter the fauna and flora of the region in the "wildlife zone", the history, cultural manifestations and rural life in the "traditions zone", and the "urban-architectonic zone" (which is still in process of construction) will use original pieces from Guayaquil’s antique architecture destroyed by a series of earthquakes in the past century, to bring back to life what the city once was.

On Sundays Historical Park becomes livelier with cultural and festive activities. Music, typical food, people dressed up with antique clothes, among other activities, add color and flavor to this cultural setting.
Only 10 minutes from the city crossing over the Daule River, it is located close to the residential neighborhood of Samborondon #3
The entrance fee is $3 for adults, $1.50 for children and $1 for the third age. Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9h00 to 17h00. Guide service is available. You can arrange group visits calling 2835 356 previously.
e-mail: malonzo@parquehistorico.com
web site: www.parquehistorico.com

Botanical garden
This garden holds approximately 324 botanic species that can be observed in their natural habitat, among trees used for wood, fruit trees, ornamental and exotic plants. You can also observe more than 73 bird species and 60 butterfly species all year long.

It holds three exhibitions: orchids (more than 50 species), Valdivia (minerals, rocks and precious stones), and medicinal plants. This botanical garden was open on 1989, after ten years of continuous work.
Located at "Cerro Colorado" in northern Guayaquil. Open every day from 8h00 to 16h00. The entrance fee for international tourists is of $5, and guide service is $2.
Phone: 2560 519
web site: www.jardinbotanico.org
e-mail:jbotanic@interactive.net.ec

Cerro Blanco Protected Forest
Protected by governmental decree and run by the Pro-Forest Foundation, Cerro Blanco protects one of the few remaining areas of dry tropical forest in Ecuador with a rich biodiversity, including jaguar, puma, howler, capuchin monkeys, white-tailed deer, collared peccary, coatimundi and crab-eating raccoon. Cerro Blanco is a bird watcher’s paradise, with 211 species, including 22 species of birds of prey and a small population of the threatened Great Green Macaw, the symbol of this Protected Forest. Cerro Blanco’s facilities include an outdoor amphitheater museum, 4 nature trails, picnic and camping area, and Great Green Macaw Captive Breeding Center.

From January to May, the view is totally green and abundant water allows bird’s nesting. From June to December is the dry season: the leaves’ colors change to brownish red, and trees flower. Don’t miss visiting one of the last remains of this unique ecosystem!
Located at km 16 on the way Guayaquil-Salinas, in front of Roosevelt Academy School, it can be easily reached by buses of Chongon Company or buses that run from the land terminal to the coast, as well as by taxi. Open every day from 8h00 to 16h00. If you want to visit or camp at Cerro Blanco from Monday to Friday, you have to make a reservation. Phone: 2871 900 ext.32280
Visits on Saturdays and Sundays from 8h30 to 15h30 without prior reservation.

Puerto Hondo Mangroves
A community effort for the conservation of the remaining mangroves in the area has formed an Ecologic Club that, among its projects, offers ecotourism opportunities. Visit this beautiful natural site with exotic flora and fauna!
It is located at km.17 on the way Guayaquil-Salinas. Open every day from 9h00 to 16h00. Phone: 241 6975 and 241 7004.
E-mail: vonhorst@ecua.net.ec.

Haciendas close to Guayaquil
Another great choice around the Guayaquil area is to visit farms where you have the chance of getting to know the crop processes of traditional agricultural products such as banana, cocoa, coffee and mango. One of the choices is "La Garza Roja" hacienda, located on the banks of the Daule River. A tour around the hacienda includes a welcoming natural juice, a guided visit to the farm, a canoe trip to the Paraiso Island, home to countless bird species, and a visit to the tilapia breeding pools.

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