Things to do in Guayaquil: The city offers a wide range of activities, visits and excursions to discover the port city.
Words & Photos: Trail Forth Journal.
For activities, tours and sightseeing, Guayaquil is a charming city. The city has fascinating places such as the Malecones, Torre Morisca, La Rotonda, Las Peñas neighbourhood, Seminario Park, Parque Centenario, Palacio de Cristal and other places that are unique symbols of the city and of Ecuador.
The Salado estuary and the Guayas River bathe this city. It is not the political capital. However, it is the financial capital of the country. It has the largest seaport in Ecuador. It is the country’s link to other latitudes, such as Panama, Taiwan and North America.
Things to do in Guayaquil.
Its geographical location, it is the gateway to the Galapagos Islands and is the winner of several world travel awards. These include: South America’s Leading City Break Destination and South America’s Leading Meetings and Conferences Destination. This city is also known as the “Pearl of the Pacific”. It is a place of countless architectural constructions of great national value, shopping centres and a varied national and international gastronomy. You must visit and enjoy the many activities, tours and excursions offered in Guayaquil.
Things to do in Guayaquil:
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Guayaquil walking tour of the linear parks and boardwalks.
The boardwalks and linear parks are traditional for a walk in Guayaquil. Surrounded by rivers and estuaries, this city can be explored and crossed through its linear parks, boardwalks and bridges. There are two places to visit, the Malecon 2000 and the Malecon del Estero Salado.
The Malecón 2000 is the largest in the city. It connects to the Las Peñas neighbourhood and through Numa Pompillo Llona street you can reach Puerto Santa Ana. It is one of the most visited places in the city by both locals and foreigners. Here you will find important museums such as the MAAC and the Museo De Miniatura. And iconic places like the Torre Morísca, the Hemiciclo de La Rotonda and the Palacio de Cristal.
The Malecón del Estero Salado hosts theatrical activities: La Bota. The Plaza Rodolfo Baquerizo Moreno also hosts important events and is the starting point for boat trips on the Salado Estuary.
Religious sites tour in Guayaquil.
These immense buildings are notable for their Romanesque-Gothic design, their works of art and stained glass windows, as well as for the legends and acts of faith that surround them. These features have made them a tourist attraction for locals and foreigners alike.
In Guayaquil we find the Metropolitan Cathedral when we visit the churches. This building was built in 1547, next to the City Hall and the Plaza de Armas. Continuing our tour, we arrive at the Basilica de la Merced, located on Victor Manuel Rendón Street, between Córdova and Pedro Carbo. This temple, inspired by the Neo-Gothic-Byzantine school, was built in 1927. The church of San Francisco, known as Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles. It was built of wood in 1702, but was destroyed by fire several times. It was restored in 1920, using stronger materials and respecting the details of its original construction.
Guayaquil Shopping Centre Tour.
Guayaquil has around 20 shopping centres spread throughout the city, offering visitors the best shopping experience and convenience. The first shopping centre built in the city was Policentro, founded in 1978 by the former President of the Republic, Jaime Roldós.
The following are some of the city’s shopping centres: San Marino, Mall del Sol, Mall del Río, Mall del Sur, Mall El Fortín, Ríocentro Norte, Ríocentro Sur, Policentro, Centro Comercial Plaza Mayor, Plaza Quil, Unicentro, Centro Comercial Albán Borja. Ríocentro Sur, City Mall, Policentro, Centro Comercial Plaza Mayor, Plaza Quil, Unicentro, Centro Comercial Albán Borja. Plaza Orellana Shopping Centre, La Piazza Ceibos, Plaza Triángulo, Malecón 2000, Terminal Terrestre de Guayaquil.
Enjoy traditional gastronomy in Guayaquil.
It would be impossible to define Guayaquil’s gastronomy in a single word. What we can say is that its cuisine makes us fall even more in love with this city. The great gastronomic variety, the result of the fusion with other cultures and groups that have migrated to the city, has made the city a mixture of customs and traditions that are reflected in its gastronomic ingredients. The Porteño roots of this variety of dishes are infinite.
Some of the city’s typical dishes are: encebollado, described by the Taste Atlas as the second best soup in the world. There is also seco de chivo, caldo de manguera, pork sandwiches, bolón de verde, cangrejada and, of course, rice with roast meat and stews.
Tour en Guayaquil, landmarks.
Every city in the world has a place that identifies it. New York has the Statue of Liberty. London has Big Ben. Buenos Aires has the Obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio. And Guayaquil also has its iconic places that make the city unique.
The Torre Morísca and the Hemicycle of the Rotonda are two monuments that are part of the historical heritage and cultural identity of this city. The Hemicycle of La Rotonda commemorates the meeting between Simón Bolívar and San Martín in Guayaquil. And the Torre Morísca, also known as the Public Clock, despite the fact that it has moved around the city. It has been Guayaquil’s constant companion since the days of the Paseo de las Colonias, now the Malecón 2000.
There is also the traditional Barrio Las Peñas, located on the Santa Ana hill, a place that can be visited along the Guayas River. Another iconic place is the Parque de las iguanas or Seminario.