Guayaquil Ecuador
Guayaquil, officially Santiago de Guayaquil, is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, and the capital of Guayas province. 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.
Francisco de Orellana founded Guayaquil on the skirts of the Santa Ana Hill on July 25th, 1534. On the top of this hill you can see observe canons 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 common for the Spaniards and Portuguese. The surroundings of the city offer archeological 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 this city.
Guayaquil is located on the western bank of the Guayas River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean at the Gulf of Guayaquil. Because of its location, the city is the center of Ecuador's business and manufacturing industries.
Main tourist attractions in Guayaquil
The Malecón 2000: Spanning 2 1/2 km. along Rio Guayas, the grand-scale urban regeneration project known as the Malecon 2000 is the Guayaquil’s main attraction. It will be a symbolic centre of the city, a mix of green areas and shopping. The tall ship Guayas has its home base here.
The Palacio Municipal: Considered to be the architectural jewel of Guayaquil, it is located in front of the Malecón and holds the political offices of city and provincial officials. Built in a neoclassical style, it is considered one of the most important architectural works in the country. Next to City Hall is the Governor's Office Building, built in 1924 totally refurbished and maintained with the original facade.
Las Peñas: Is a neighbourhood in the northeast corner of the city centre; is the artistic centre of the city. Many of the area's 400-year-old houses have been converted into art galleries and several notable artists have studios in the area. The colonial architecture has not been restored per se, but it has been well looked after, and the elegantly decaying wooden houses are interesting to see.
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 holds original pieces from Guayaquil’s antique architecture destroyed by some fires in the XIXth century, to bring back to life what the city once was.
Parque Centenario: This is Guayaquil’s largest plaza, covering four city blocks and featuring several monuments. The most important monument is the great central column topped by Liberty and surrounded by the founding father of the country – a monument to patriotism.
City Cementery: This dazzling white cemetery contains hundreds of tombs, monuments and huge mausoleums. A walk, lined with palm trees, leads to the impressive grave of President Vicente Rocafuerte.
Parque Seminario: With the alternate aliases of Parque de Las Iguanas or Iguana Park, this attractions is commonly known by what it contains-loads of iguanas. Some up to 1 ½ long, the scaled reptiles pace the walkways climb the tress, gobble vegetation and bananas kindly provided by fascinated children, and pose for the cameras.
