Guayaquil Tours & Excursions
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The Seminario, also known as Iguana Park, is a charming place of biodiversity and historical significance located in the heart of Guayaquil.
Words & Photos: Trail Forth Journal.
This park has different names. Iguana Park, due to the reptiles that live there. The name Parque Seminario is in memory of the person who donated the land for the current park, and Parque Bolivar is because of the monument in the centre of the park with the liberator’s figure. This is one of the oldest and most important parks in Guayaquil and also the one that has the most names in the city and is well known.
Iguana caught on camera in the Iguana Park or Seminario Park.
The park is located in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral, between the streets Chile, 10 de Agosto, Chimborazo and Clemente Ballén. The park was placed in the city in the XVIII century, a place that was already occupied by the Plaza de Armas since 1693 when the town council moved to the New City.
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During the colonial period in America, most of the cities in the region had a Plaza de Armas (Arms Square). Later it was called: Plaza de La Estrella (Start Square) due to the placement of an eight-pointed star in limestone rock that was brought from the San Eduardo hill, after the independence of 1820.
Seminario or Iguana Park, Guayaquil 1930 – 1940
The plaza was later renamed Plaza de Bolívar, and a monument honoring the Liberator was erected in its center. It is currently known as Parque Seminario in memory of Miguel Suárez Seminario and his family. They built and donated the park’s ornaments, perimeter railings, gazebo, pond, benches, and streetlights to the municipality.
The area around Parque Seminario is a great place to stay in the city. It’s close to many popular tourist attractions. It’s also known for being a safe, quiet neighborhood. Check out accommodations in this area below: Booking.com and Expedia.
For those looking to dive deeper into the history of these landmarks, we offer two daily experiences: our Guayaquil City Tour, a comprehensive and comfortable journey through the city’s top highlights, or our Multi-Experience Walking Tour, a strategic stroll designed to reveal the best panoramic views in less time. You choose the pace; we provide the history.
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