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Guayaquil City Tours City tour in Guayaquil City tour in Guayaquil w/ Historic Park

Introduction

Located just west of the Guayas River is the city of Guayaquil. Guayaquil is considered the economic capital and main port of Ecuador and, with around 2 million inhabitants, it is also the largest city in Ecuador. According to the local legend, the name Guayaquil comes from an Indian chief named Guayas and his wife Quil. Guayas and Quil threw themselves into the Guayas River instead of being conquered by the Spaniards.

By the 17th century, Santiago de Guayaquil was the most important port in Ecuador and a stopping-off point for ships sailing the Southern Sea from Callao to Panama and Acapulco. Many foreign products arrived in the bay, brought by Spain, including crockery, glassware, clothing from Castle, arms, gunpowder, flour, raisins and wine. Ecuador also began to export planks of select hardwoods, high-quality cacao, tar, sarsaparilla, ship's rigging, and merchandise that had come down from Quito, Cuenca and other parts of Ecuador.

Guayaquil City Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel lobby and begin the exciting tour of Guayquil, Ecuador. Guayaquil has many beautiful points of interest and many hidden treasures.  Parque Seminario, located at the intersection of Chile and 10 de Agosto Street. A huge statue of Simon Bolivar, the Venezuelan born leader who led the movement to liberate parts of South America from Spanish rule, dominates Parque Seminario.

The park is delightful place for bird lovers.  The ficus trees are home to some very exotic flycatchers and land iguanas. The Neo Gothic Cathedral found behind the park is a reminder of Guayaquil´s past. The promenade on the Malecon waterfront runs the shore of the Guayas River. Lining the promenade are the splendid Palacio Municipal and the architecturally impressive Gobernacion de la Provincia building. The Moorish Tower and the monumental Rotonda Monument commemorates Simon Bolivar and San Martin shaking hands. The two South American generals who liberated Ecuador from Spain met in Guayaquil in 1822.

After the Moorish Tower you will visit the Mercado Plaza del Sur, a metallic structure designed by Eiffel. In Las Peñas an old traditional neighborhood of Guayaquil is located. The old houses in the neighborhood are made out of Ecuadorian bamboo and timber. A walk along the neighborhood promenade will take you along numerous art galleries and open-air expositions.  A short walk through the General Cemetery provides a chance to view the magnificent Carrara marble sculptures created by Italian artists. Guayaquil became the economic capital of Ecuador because of the high demand from Europe to export cocoa beans. The final stop on the tour is the modern residential area.  After the tour, you will be dropped back off at your hotel.

Duration: About 3 hours.

Prices 2008 per person:

• 2 people: $65
• More than 2 people: $60

* Includes tickets to museums

Guayaquil City Tour with Historic Park

The Guayaquil City Tour plus Historic Park tour includes all of the points of interest of the Guayaquil city tour, but also includes a visit to the Historical Park, a project from the Central Bank of Ecuador, where you can learn about the flora and fauna of this region. The Historic Park includes information on history and biology of the birds, reptiles, and mammals in the area. On weekends demonstrations are held every hour. After the tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Duration: About 4 hours.

Prices 2008 per person:

• 2 people: $85
• More than 2 people: $75

* Includes tickets to museums