Guayaquil: Top Travel Destination
- By:
Rebecca Braak
Among Ecuador’s jewels, Guayaquil stands out as a top destination for avid travelers. The “Pearl of the Pacific” is the nation’s second-largest city and its main port.
Table of Contents
The travel booking site Kayak unveiled the top five popular tourist destinations to visit in the next year, based on flight searches of those locations in recent months. Guayaquil is among the places that gather the most interest on the platform.
Known for its original and photogenic spots, the main port of Ecuador shares the list with other Latin American places, such as:
Cancun (Mexico), Cusco (Peru), and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
Definitely, the most populated city in Ecuador offers a lot to tourists that are looking for a great experience full of adventure and culture. Here are 4 places in Guayaquil that you don’t want to miss:
Malecon 2000
Malecon 2000 overlooks the Guayas River and is considered a model of urban regeneration by global standards. Many of the greatest monuments in Ecuadorian history can be seen alone. Additionally, you will find museums, gardens, shopping malls, restaurants, and bars. As well as boarding docks where several embarkations offer both daytime and nighttime tours.
Also, it was declared a healthy public space by the Pan-American Organization of Health and the World Health Organization.
Cerro Santa Ana
Secondly, in Cerro Santa Ana you will find a spectacular view of Guayaquil, which you can enjoy through the binoculars available for those who visit it.
Among the colors of its houses, you will find various representative places while you climb its 444 steps that take you to the top of the 60-meter hill. There, the famous Guayaquil lighthouse offers the best photos of the metropolis.
Las Peñas Guayaquil
Las Peñas was the first neighborhood of Guayaquil. In 1982, it was declared a Cultural Heritage of Ecuador for its unique architectural style and more than 400 years of existence.
Besides, it is also known for its colorful and romantic appearance of narrow and cobbled streets with a bohemian ambiance.
Iguanas Park
Finally, “Parque de las Iguanas”, also known as Parque Seminario, preserves a colonial style. In its small gardens live iguanas up to 1 meter long, which are the main attraction of the park.
It is the oldest park in the city and the main civic gathering point, particularly for the October festivities (independence festivities).
Clearly, Guayaquil is a top destination in South America!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Guayaquil a top destination?
The city is known for its urban regeneration, original and photogenic spots, and rich offerings of adventure and culture. It has been recognized by travel sites (like Kayak) as one of the most popular destinations for flight searches in Latin America.
Where can I see unique wildlife in the city?
Iguanas Park (also known as Parque Seminario) is the oldest park in the city, famous for the iguanas (up to 1 meter long) that live in its gardens. It also serves as the main civic gathering point for events like the October independence festivities.
What are the must-see historical and cultural attractions?
– Malecón 2000: This riverfront boardwalk overlooks the Guayas River and is considered a model of urban regeneration. It features major monuments in Ecuadorian history, museums, gardens, shopping malls, restaurants, and bars. It also has docking areas for day and nighttime boat tours.
– Las Peñas: This is the city’s first neighborhood and was declared a Cultural Heritage of Ecuador in 1982. It is known for its unique architectural style (over 400 years old), colorful houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and a bohemian ambiance.
– Cerro Santa Ana: This 60-meter-high hill offers a spectacular panoramic view of Guayaquil. Visitors climb 444 steps to reach the top, where the famous Guayaquil lighthouse is located, providing excellent photo opportunities.
Further Reading
- Galapagos Among the Best Places to Travel in 2022
- Ecuador is a Global Change Maker
- Top 7 Travel Bucket List
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