Looking
eastwards towards the River Guayas, is Guayaquil. It is recognized
as being the economic capital and main port of Ecuador, with around
2 million inhabitants, many of whom come from other parts of the
country. According to legend, the name comes from an Indian chief
called Guayas and his wife Quil. Who threw them selves into the
great river instead of being conquered by the spaniards.
By the 17th century, Santiago de Guayaquil was already the most
important port in Ecuador and a stopping-off point for ships sailing
the Southern Sea from Callao to Panama and Acapulco. Into its
bay arrived all the products that ships brought from Spain: crockery,
glassware, clothing from Castle, arms, gunpowder, flour, raisins,
wine. From this same bay departed 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 with Historic Park
Pick
up from hotel lobby to start an exciting tour of the Guayaquil,
the economical capital of Ecuador.
There are
many points of interest, though sometimes one has to look beyond
elements that might otherwise hide beauty. Parque Seminario, at
the intersection of Chile and 10 de Agosto Streets, is dominated
by a huge statue of Simon Bolivar, the Venezuelan born leader
who led the movement to liberate much of South America from Spanish
rule.
The park
is delightful place for bird lovers as the ficus trees here are
home to some truly exotic flycatchers and land iguanas. The Neo
Gothic Cathedral found behind the park gives an idea of Guayaquil�s
past. A promenade at the waterfront Malecon, lines the shore of
the Guayas river. Along it are the splendid Palacio Municipal
and the architecturally severe Gobernacion de la Provincia building.
The Moorish Tower, and the monumental Rotonda Monument portrays
Simon Bolivar and San Martin shaking hands.
The two South
American generals who liberated the continent from Spain met in
Guayaquil in 1822. A visit to Mercado Plaza del Sur, a metalic
structure designed by Eiffel. Las Pe�as, the old traditional neighborhood
of Guayaquil, where old houses made out of timber and bamboo are
found. Take a promenade along this neighborhood where art galleries
and open air expositions are held. A short overview thru the General
Cemetery to see the nice scupltures done by italian artists in
Carrara marble. The economical power of Guayaquil last century,
due to cocoa bean exportation to Europe. A final tour to the modern
residential area.
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. Birds,
reptiles, mammals are found in here, learn about them. On weekends
shows are held every hour. Back to hotel.
Duration: About 4 hours.
Prices per
person:
- 2 people:
$85
- More than
2 people: $75
*Includes
tickets to museums