Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city and main port with a population of approximately 2 million. Situated by the short of the mighty Guayas River, this city is one of the most important ports on the Pacific coast of South America.  Tall buildings, large avenue and finance centres at the heart of this metropolis, also hosting some of Ecuador’s largest architectural and tourist projects like the  Melecon 2002 with its botanic gardens and historic park that boasts a museum reproducing a XIX century suburb and a tropical hacienda showing the coastal way of life. 

See:

• Parque Golivar – is the botanical garden of the city and it has less than a century of existence. In their green areas and pools, you can find turtles and iguanas that are tame as they are used to being in contact with the public.
• The Cathedral – constructed originally with wood in 1957 after which a fire destroyed it. In 1948, the present temple of neo-gothic style was elevated. This is situated in Chile Street and its glassworks and marble altar are worth seeing.
• Municipal Museum – The Jibaros (a tribe of the Amazonia) had the custom to reduce the heads of their enemies, those that alter the procedure were left the size of a doll head. Until now, the investigators have not been able to discover the methods and techniques used by the natives. You’ll see an impressive collection of these “Military trophies” in the room located between the Sucre and Pedro Carbo streets.

Experience:

• Sailing in the Guayas River. This passage allows you to experience the life of the people that live in the shores.
• The Bohemian air that comes off from the wooden houses of the historical Barrio de Las Penas. Just by strolling through the streets of the city you will be captured by the beauty of its parks and the Simon Bolivar Jetty.
• Church of Santo Domingo – is the oldest church in the city. Its original construction dates from 1548, but had to be restored 390 years later. There is a water-well inside that the locals believe has curative properties.

Secrets of the City:

• Its attractive and cosmopolitan coastline is spoiled by the Pacific Ocean and gives you a feeling of days gone by at a relaxing pace.
• The surprise you experience at every corner you turn with its calm and bucolic semblance that is in the squares, the museums, and the old Barrio de Las Penas, with paved streets and wooden houses.