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.
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

Malecón Simón Bolívar

Find entertainment, culture and nature on this 2.5 km waterfront walk! Malecón 2000 includes monuments, museums, gardens, fountains, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, an IMAX theater, as well as docks and viewpoints.
Malecon 2000 is the largest architectural development in the last century of Guayaquil´s history (total surface is 20 hectares). It runs from Cuenca Street on the south of the city, all the way to "Barrio las Peñas" on the north. (map of Guayaquil >>)
Your walk up the Malecon 2000 will take you through three sections:

Northern
Access: from the South by the Civic Plaza, another entrance is on the Francisco de Orellana St, and finally the northernmost entrance close to Barrio Las Peñas.
This section has space for sports, entertainment, science, history and art. 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.



Central
This section is mostly historical. It holds the Civic Plaza (10 de Agosto and P. Ycaza St.) with a gallery dedicated to the most outstanding personalities in Guayaquil’s history. You can also admire other monuments:

Hemiciclo de 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).

Moorish or Clock Tower
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.
Also in this section are: four sculptures that represent the elements of nature: air, water, fire and earth, the Guayaquil Yatch Club and the Naval Yatch Club.

Services: covered parking lot with a capacity of 120 cars, security area, rest rooms and a first aid center.

Southern
The old market is found in this section. It was inaugurated in 1907, and its authorship is attributed to the famous French engineer Eiffel. This section also holds 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

• Every day from 7H00 to 24H00
• Shopping centers from 10H00 to 21H00
• Food restaurants from 10H00 to 23H30
• Aerobics time for tourist from 6H00
  ENTRANCE FREE / TOUR GUIDE FOR TOURISTS
  web page: www.malecon2000.com

Malecon El Salado
Smaller than Malecon 2000, this waterfront walk also offers entertainment, culture and nature. At El Salado you find a variety of restaurantsand bars to chose from; handcraft shops and entertainment for children. It is located at 9 de Octubre & La Ria.

Santa Ana Hilland
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.

Las "Peñas" neighborhood
Right next to the stairways is "Las Peñas", the first residential neighborhood of Guayaquil. It holds wooden houses that treasure memories from writers and poets that inhabited this area. Although it exists since colonial times, "Las Peñas" was 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. Here you can also witness 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.

We also recommend that you visit
The Guayas And Quil Monument (Las Americas Ave.), the Municipality Palace (Pichincha 605 and 10 de Agosto), the Governor´s Palace (Malecón and Aguirre), Sucre Square (Pichincha and Clemente Ballén), Rocafuerte Square (Rocafuerte and Junin), and the Planetarium (via Puerto Marítimo).

Churches

The Cathedral:
This Neo-Gothic Cathedral was built in 1948. The main altar is made of marble from Cuenca and its glass stained windows are beautiful workds of art. It is located on the corner of Chimborazo and Clemente Ballén Avenues. Visiting hours 08h00 a 18h00.

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

La Merced:
Located on Rendón and Pedro Carbo Ave. It has a gothic style and a gold covered altar. Open Monday thru Friday 7h00-12h00 and 18h- 19h30.  Saturdays 7h-10h00 and 18h-20h00.  Free admission.

Museums in Guayaquil

Centro Cultural Simón Bolívar
The Centro Cultural Simón Bolívar of the Ecuadorian Central Bank guards a collection of 50.000 archeological pieces and a collection of modern art of 3.000 works. It also houses a library of 20.000 publications specialized in art, archeology and anthropology.

Additionally, the museum has six exhibit halls, a multipurpose room for conferences and workshops, a documental center, a bookstore and a handcraft shop, as well as a cinema with a capacity for 380 people. Free outdoor movie projections are presented periodically.
Open Tuesday thru Saturday from 10h00 to 17h00, Sundays and holidays from 11h00 to 15h00.
Address: Malecon Simon Bolivar and Loja (at the Northern part of the Malecon 2000, next to the Imax theater). Admission fee: Wednesday- Saturday $1.50, Sundays free

Casa de la Cultura
This museum 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 provoked the greed of the Spanish conquerors, who 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 headrests, 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).
Address: 9 de Octubre 1200 & Pedro Moncayo.

Open Tuesday thru Friday from 10h-18h00, Saturdays 9h-15h00.  Admission fee: $1 adults, $0.50 children, senior citizens and students. Phone: 2300586.

MAAC:
The "Anthropological and Contemporary Art" Museum (MAAC) of the Ecuadorian Central Bank opened at Malecon 2000 in mid August 2004.

The Museum guards a collection of 50.000 archeological pieces and a collection of modern art of 3.000 works. It also houses a library of 20.000 publications specialized in art, archeology and anthropology.

Additionally, the museum has:

- Six exhibitions halls where permanent and short-term, national and international samples are presented.
- A multipurpose room for conferences and workshops, a documental center, a bookstore and a handcraft shop.
- A cinema with a capacity for 380 people. This is the space for alternative movies from all around the world, as well as performing arts.
- Free outdoor projections of movies.

Open Wednesday thru Saturday from 10h00 to 18h00.   Sundays and holidays from 11h00 to 16h00.

Address: Malecon Simon Bolivar and Loja (at the northern part of the Malecon 2000, next to the Imax theater).

Admission fee: Wednesday- Saturday $1.50, Sundays free

The exhibits that are now open at the museum are:
Realms of Ecuadorian Art: a journey through the Ecuadorian art manifestations from the second half of the XIX Century up to the XX Century. This exhibit is divided in four "realms": Building the modern space", "Critical routes of art", "Imagining a world of its own" and "Search and opening".



Poetical to the edge:
Includes a sample of the Ecuadorian artistical production since the 80´s.

Guayaquil in History
Located at Malecon 2000 under the IMAX Theater, this didactic Museum holds a miniature exhibit of the most remarkable scenes of Guayaquil´s history.  It is an auto-guided museum  (in Spanish) with entertaining explanations and lively music.
Open Mondays thru Sundays from 9h00 - 13h30 and 16h00 - 20h00.  Admission fee: $1,50 adults, $1 children.  Phone: 2563078

Enrique Tabara’s Exhibit:
Enrique Tábara is a renowed artist from Guayaquil (1930). He entered the artistical scene in Ecuador at the end of the 40´s and beggining of the 50´s, when the Social Realism current was taking place. He discussed the stereotypes and proposed a style of his own. Tabara visited popular places in Guayaquil and painted the reality as he saw it. The first part of the exhibit shows his works during this period.

In 1955 he traveled to Barcelona in Spain and was influenced by the Informalism current that was taking place in Europe at the time. He started experimenting with different materials and textures and produced a number of innovating art pieces. The next part of the exhibit displays his art works during this second stage.
On his return to Ecuador, Tabara returned to his roots through the Latinamerican current of "ancestralism", which finds inspiration in pre-Hispanic cultures that inhabited the continent (third stage).

Finally, he started to paint simple shapes inspired in nature, and also other simple structures like the patas-patas".

The displays of each stage of his art are enriched with a short movie where the artist himself talks about that period of his artistic life, and one is able to see him working on the paintings that are exhibited.

We highly recommend this exhibit, which gives the unique opportunity of an almost "personal dialogue" with a fascinating artist.

The MAAC also includes:
A movie screen on its exterior area, where it projects international films for free; a folklore shop, library, bookstore, and other services.
Open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10h00 to 18h00, Sundays and holidays from 11h00 to 17h00.
Entrance fee: adults $3 / children, students, senior citizens $1. It is located Malecon Simon Bolivar and Loja (at the northern part of the Malecon 2000, next to the Imax theater).

The Municipal Museum:
This museum has four divisions: Archeology, History, Colonial Art and Modern Art.

You will have the chance to see original ``tzanzas´´ (shrunken heads.) The Shuar culture of the south- east used to shrink their enemies head to keep the bad spirits away from them. These miniature heads have not lost their original features when reduced. The mystery of this process has not yet been discovered. Even though the Shuar culture is still alive, the shrinking heads tradition is not.

Located at the corner of Sucre Street and Pedro Carbo. Visiting hours: Tuesday thru Saturday 9h00 to 17h00.
Free admission.  Identification document is required.  Phone: 2599100.

Nahim Isaias Museum:
Located at the Plaza de la Administracion and inserted in the process of urban regeneration, the Nahim Isaias Museum`s vision is to promote the colonial art by means of its cultural funds. The complete collection of the Museum includes 2.179 works of art.

The second floor holds a permanent exhibition of colonial art. The exhibit is called "Cosmognias", and is a didactical sample that integrates the most representative works of the colonial culture. This exhibit consists of 100 pieces: sculptures, paintings, clothes and accessories of the colonial period. The exhibit is divided in 4 routes: Fire, Earth, Water and Air.

Open Tuesday thru Saturday from 10h00 to 18h00. Sundays and holidays from 11h00 to 15h00.
Admission fee: $1.50, Sunday free.
Address: Pichincha y Clemente Ballen
Phone: 2324182, 2324283
www.museonahimisaias.com

Naval Museum “Almirante Illingworth”:
Malecon & Clemente Ballen (Building of the Provincial Government of Guayas). Open Monday thru Friday from 8h00 to 12h30 and 14h00 to 16h00. Free admission. Phone: 2324274.

The Firefighters Museum “Felix Luque Plata”:
Located at the old water distributor in Plaza Colon, close to “Las Peñas” neighborhood.
Open Tuesday thru Saturday from 10h00 to 17h00. Admission fee: $0.75 adults, $0.25 children. Phone: 230 8565.

Close to the city

Puerto Hondo Mangroves
Through the formation of an Ecological Club, the community is making a united effort to conserve the remaining mangroves in the area. Among its projects, the club offers ecotourism opportunities. Visit this beautiful natural site with exotic flora and fauna!

It is located at km.17 on the way from Guayaquil to Salinas. Open every day from 9h00 to 17h00. Prior reservation is required for visits from Monday thru Saturday. Phone: 091400186.  The visitor can choose between a 45 minutes trip through the water ($10) or this same trip plus a visit to the Environmental Education Center ($15).
E-mail: bosqueprotector@yahoo.com

Historic 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.
Located only 10 minutes from the city crossing over the Daule River, close to the residential neighborhood of Samborondon #3

The entrance fee is $3 for adults, $1.50 for children and $1 for senior citizens. On Sundays the fee is $4.50 for adults and $3 for children. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9h00 to 16h30. Guide service is available. You can arrange group visits by calling 283 2958 previously. Transportation service is available next to the entrance of the MAAC parking lot in Malecon 2000 (Malecon & Loja St.).

Botanical garden
This garden holds approximately 700 plant species that have been cultivated resembling their natural habitat. Among these are trees used for wood, fruit trees, ornamental and exotic plants. More than 80 species of orchids, both native and introduced from other tropical countries, can be observed. An exhibit of native medicinal plants of the Coast is also found. Approximately 75 bird species of the dry tropical forest fly freely in the garden. Jardin Botanico also holds a butterfly-breeding center, with approximately 27 species. Representations of the Valdivia, Manteña and Jama-Coaque cultures are exhibited along the internal roads. Located at "Cerro Colorado" in northern Guayaquil, Ciudadela Las Orquideas. Open every day from 8h00 to 16h00. Entrance fee: $3 adults,$1.5 students, children and senior citizens. Guide service is $5 for groups up to 20 people.
Phone: 2899 689. Workshops and conferences on plant cultivation are offered.

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 to 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 16h30. Previous reservation is required for visits during week days.   Phone: 287 4946 / 7 – 09 4135 730      
Entrance fee: $4 adults, $3 children. Guide service is $10 for groups of up to 8 people.
E-mail:bosqueprotector@yahoo.com
www.bosquecerroblanco.com
Visits Monday thru Sunday from 8h30 to 15h30 without prior reservation.

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.

Photos courtesy of : Municipio de Guayaquil, IMAX MACC & Parque Histórico.

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