Guayaquil is a port city. It offers a wide range of activities, tours and excursions to discover its history and architecture.
Words & Photos: Trail Forth Journal.
Guayaquil is a charming city for activities, tours and sightseeing. The city has fascinating places such as the Malecones, the Torre Morisca, the Rotonda, the Barrio Las Peñas, the Parque de las Iguanas, the Parque Centenario, the Palacio de Cristal and other places that are unique symbols of the city and Ecuador.
This city is bathed by the Salado estuary and the Guayas River. It is not the political capital, but it is the financial capital of the country. It has the largest seaport in Ecuador. It connects the country with other latitudes, such as Panama, Taiwan and North America. Its geographical location makes it the gateway to the Galapagos Islands and it has won several World Travel Awards. Among them: 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.
Guayaquil at night.
Self-guided walking tour of Guayaquil’s landmarks.
The tour begins at the Cathedral of Guayaquil. It is considered the heart of the city. In this area you will visit some of the most important and emblematic places of Guayaquil. These include the Malecón, Torre Morísca, Hemiciclo de la Rotonda, Las Peñas and Puerto Santa Ana. Museums, parks and plazas are also included. The tour is written and detailed with photos, maps and illustrations that you can access on your mobile device to guide you. It is recommended to start the tour at 09h00. However, you can do it at any time. To enjoy this tour, it is necessary to activate the GPS on your mobile device to access the geolocation and follow the tourist route.
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 Obelisco on Avenida 9 de Julio. And Guayaquil also has its iconic places that make the city unique.
Torre Morísca and Hemiciclo de la Rotonda are two monuments that are part of Guayaquil’s historical heritage and cultural identity. 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, although 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.
Guayaquil sightseeing, gastronomy and handicraft market tour.
This tour of Guayaquil includes: museums, parks and squares, emblematic places of the city, a walk along the Guayaquil River Cable, a welcome cocktail in a unique resto bar in the city. Tickets and passes included. During the tour you will learn about the history of Guayaquil and the places you will visit during the tour. You will visit all the places included in the tour itinerary. This tour is the best way to get to know Guayaquil.
Guayaquil cacao biking tour
Close to Guayaquil, you will experience a fascinating history, interact with the rural population, taste the flavours of the typical cuisine and learn about the daily life in the production of cocoa, better known as the Ecuadorian golden seed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
