Ecuador's economic engine is changing. A stroll around the Malecón reveals a new, proud identity emerging from the country's commercial center. Shrimp and petroleum industries coexist with a university-fuelled arts scene and stylish restaurants that line the spacious streets of Las Peñas - all by the banks of the Río Guayas.
The Malecón 2000 is a wonderful hub for many activities in downtown Guayaquil. The term "malecón" is commonly found in any town that has a street stretching along the waterfront. Since the mid-1800s in Guayaquil, this has been the place where locals and visitors of every social class have spent their evenings looking for a cool breeze. The same stretch along the river was revamped and inaugurated as Malecón 2000 in October 1999. The southern sector, between Cuenca and 10 de Agosto, includes a shopping center, open-air food courts, an arts and crafts market and the Mercado Sur. Hungry walkers can enjoy budget to mid-range seafood dishes while watching the Guayas river pass by on its way to the Pacific. The artisans' market hosts the only Pro-Pueblo retailer in the country. Pro-Pueblo consists of co-ops of coastal artisans who mostly work from their homes to create low-cost products, including
ceramics and tagua nut (vegetable ivory) Christmas decorations sold there are of such good quality that they are sometimes resold in other shops for three times the price. The Mercado Sur, constructed by a contemporary of Eiffel, was home to one of Guayaquil's primary markets until the regeneration project relocated vendors to another part of the city. The central sector, between 10 de Agosto and P. Icaza, begins at the Moorish Clock Tower and ends at the La Rotonda monument at 9 de Octubre. During the
reconstruction of the Malecón, architects added monuments to the four elements. As testaments to the original mangrove forests that flanked the river, you can also find thick trees standing where the walkways have been built around them. In the northern sector, between P. Icaza and the Las Peñas neighborhood, you'll find gardens, an IMAX theater, another food court and the MAAC (Museum of anthropology and contemporary art). The beautifully landscaped gardens showcase flora from the coastal region and has
Masonic-influenced designs. The MAAC brings in interesting exhibits from all over the world and hosts musical performances. The museum also includes a theater, which presents both international and national films (one of the rare places to witness Ecuador's contribution to cinema). Las Peñas, where the city was founded, was actually rebuilt and painted bright colors where most of
Guayaquil's colonial buildings are.
Guayaquil historical park is a great place to go if you want to learn more about the city's history and the culture of the coastal region. The park is separated into three main sections: the wildlife zone, the urban architecture zone and the traditions zone. The wildlife zone consists of elevated paths which have allowed much of the natural plant life to remain intact, while creating areas for exhibit animals such as tapir, caiman, deer and sloths. The urban architecture zone describes the booming construction epoch of
the beginning of the 20th century, which also coincided with Ecuador's cacao boom. The traditions zone gives a glimpse of what life is like in rural parts of the coast, where people continue to live in bamboo homes. This area also includes the "Granja urbana solidaria" program, which promotes communities and families working together to grow healthy produce and curative plants. The biggest highlight is the twice-daily theatrical performance. Even those who do not understand Spanish will enjoy the lively shows,
which reenact traditions and legends from 100 years ago. Characters range from cacao plantation owners to a French-educated Ecuadorian heiress to a hoofed devil disguised as a gentleman. When you're done with the show, the kiosk offers a variety of tasty traditional snacks.
* Santa Ana & El Carmen hills, you can see almost the whole city from here. You can walk up the 400 odd steps to the top from
the Malecon 2000. There is a lighthouse, museum, small chapel and park at the top. Along the stairs, vendors sell water, ice cream
and other snacks.
* Parks, we recommend to visit the "Parque de las Iguanas" downtown, which is home to hundreds of tame iguanas, some fish in a
pond and a black squirrel or two, and do not forget some turtles.
The Malecón 2000 is a wonderful hub for many activities in downtown Guayaquil. The term "malecón" is commonly found in any town that has a street stretching along the waterfront. Since the mid-1800s in Guayaquil, this has been the place where locals and visitors of every social class have spent their evenings looking for a cool breeze. The same stretch along the river was revamped and inaugurated as Malecón 2000 in October 1999. The southern sector, between Cuenca and 10 de Agosto, includes a shopping center, open-air food courts, an arts and crafts market and the Mercado Sur. Hungry walkers can enjoy budget to mid-range seafood dishes while watching the Guayas river pass by on its way to the Pacific. The artisans' market hosts the only Pro-Pueblo retailer in the country. Pro-Pueblo consists of co-ops of coastal artisans who mostly work from their homes to create low-cost products, including
ceramics and tagua nut (vegetable ivory) Christmas decorations sold there are of such good quality that they are sometimes resold in other shops for three times the price. The Mercado Sur, constructed by a contemporary of Eiffel, was home to one of Guayaquil's primary markets until the regeneration project relocated vendors to another part of the city. The central sector, between 10 de Agosto and P. Icaza, begins at the Moorish Clock Tower and ends at the La Rotonda monument at 9 de Octubre. During the
reconstruction of the Malecón, architects added monuments to the four elements. As testaments to the original mangrove forests that flanked the river, you can also find thick trees standing where the walkways have been built around them. In the northern sector, between P. Icaza and the Las Peñas neighborhood, you'll find gardens, an IMAX theater, another food court and the MAAC (Museum of anthropology and contemporary art). The beautifully landscaped gardens showcase flora from the coastal region and has
Masonic-influenced designs. The MAAC brings in interesting exhibits from all over the world and hosts musical performances. The museum also includes a theater, which presents both international and national films (one of the rare places to witness Ecuador's contribution to cinema). Las Peñas, where the city was founded, was actually rebuilt and painted bright colors where most of
Guayaquil's colonial buildings are.
Guayaquil historical park is a great place to go if you want to learn more about the city's history and the culture of the coastal region. The park is separated into three main sections: the wildlife zone, the urban architecture zone and the traditions zone. The wildlife zone consists of elevated paths which have allowed much of the natural plant life to remain intact, while creating areas for exhibit animals such as tapir, caiman, deer and sloths. The urban architecture zone describes the booming construction epoch of
the beginning of the 20th century, which also coincided with Ecuador's cacao boom. The traditions zone gives a glimpse of what life is like in rural parts of the coast, where people continue to live in bamboo homes. This area also includes the "Granja urbana solidaria" program, which promotes communities and families working together to grow healthy produce and curative plants. The biggest highlight is the twice-daily theatrical performance. Even those who do not understand Spanish will enjoy the lively shows,
which reenact traditions and legends from 100 years ago. Characters range from cacao plantation owners to a French-educated Ecuadorian heiress to a hoofed devil disguised as a gentleman. When you're done with the show, the kiosk offers a variety of tasty traditional snacks.
* Santa Ana & El Carmen hills, you can see almost the whole city from here. You can walk up the 400 odd steps to the top from
the Malecon 2000. There is a lighthouse, museum, small chapel and park at the top. Along the stairs, vendors sell water, ice cream
and other snacks.
* Parks, we recommend to visit the "Parque de las Iguanas" downtown, which is home to hundreds of tame iguanas, some fish in a
pond and a black squirrel or two, and do not forget some turtles.
