What to do in
Guayaquil – Ecuador
Zig Zag Bridge
The
Zigzag Bridge is a 220 meters long metal pedestrian bridge, which links the
Pier of the University of Guayaquil with the Linear Park in front of the
Catholic University.
Its
main attraction is the natural environment that borders the Salado Estuary and
the mangroves; also, it’s modern zigzag design that draws a path between two
parallel lines, adapted to the environment of this place; its curvilinear roofs
and the floors of cobblestone and stamped concrete.
Visitors can enjoy three
planters, viewpoints and eight roundabouts distributed throughout the
infrastructure.
Churches
Guayaquil is a city that
has expressed its spirituality through culture, religion, art and traditions.
Since its establishment and settlement at the foot of the Cerrito Verde in
1540, there were several Religious Orders that built temples and chapels. The
name of Santiago de Guayaquil comes from a Spanish tradition that aims to keep
alive the memory of Santiago el Mayor, one of the Apostles of Christ. A group
of cities in America bear the name Santiago before the name of the city.
Guayaquil has at least 8
heritage churches. Each one with its own history and characteristics. Tourists
can appreciate the characteristics of the time of the colony visiting the
churches of the city.
Route of the seven churches
The
Catholics of Guayaquil are very devoted and faithful people and have faith
rituals that form part of a cultural tradition of the city, which have become a
tourist attraction that today is known as “Route of Faith” within the tourist
and religious spheres.
The
tour of the seven churches is a tradition in Guayaquil, which is to visit
several heritage temples located in the Historic Center of the city.
First stop: San Jose Church, a building that dates back to 1905 and possesses
a wealth statuary heritage, which comprises images crafted by Italian sculptor
Enrico Pacciani.
Second stop: San Alejo Church, the church operated as vice-parish in 1827, and
was canonically established in 1867.
Third stop: Santo Domingo church, this church was built in 1548, being the
oldest in the city.
Fourth stop: San Agustin church. The current temple made of concrete dates back to
1913.
Fifth stop: La Merced church. The temple dates back to 1896 when it was made
of wood and was burnt in the great fire of that year. The concrete church was
finished in 1936.
Sixth stop: Nuestra Señora de los Angeles (Our Lady of Angels) church, best
known as San Francisco, since it was established by the Franciscans.
Seventh stop: The Metropolitan Cathedral Saint Peter the Apostle, traditional temple
of the city.
La
Perla
With
57 meters of height, this is the first wheel giant of the Ecuador and the highest
of South America. You can Enjoy of a new view of the city and its landscapes
within a complex with all the amenities.
The
Pearl Is located in the Simon Bolivar Pier, a renovated space in the downtown
of the city, close to the Guayas river and near to the Cerro Santa Ana, one of
the more iconic and emblematic sectors of the city.
Cocoa
Route
Guayaquil is the center of cocoa economy par
excellence, since cocoa was the key to its economic growth for more than 400
years; a product already exported during colonial times. Currently, Guayaquil
continues to be the center point for its convergence and commerce. The
route begins in the coastal city of Guayaquil and according to the preference
of tourists, five one-day tours are offered.
Guayaquil – Balao Camino Verde is a renowned cocoa plantation for being a Research and
Development Center of flavor profiles and fermentation techniques.
Guayaquil – El Deseo This route has two components: the orchard managed traditionally by its
owners, and the Collection Fermentation, Drying and Storage of grains Center of
the association.
Guayaquil – Milagro Vitaliano Sarabia is the name of an organic farm of
massive production of cocoa clones of national variety and high productivity.
The grains are grown in differentiated parcels with an organized handling that
has turned the farm into a model of recognition to know and follow.
Guayaquil – Naranjal The farm Querida Virgina is part of the scientific
and technical route; it is the ideal place to learn the knowledge of farming
Cocoa. A farmer and independent cocoa investigator that has turned his farm
into a real investigation center with important results. Also, in a rocky area
of Naranjal, place used for his continual expeditions, he selects ancient wild
trees to find the materials that tolerate sickness in order to go forward in
his investigation.
Guayaquil – Taura The main and neighboring farms show cocoa trees, national clones of
high production; also, the visitor can appreciate the natural environment
created by fruit trees and huge timbers trees in which several seasonal and
native birds nest.
Train Journeys
Tren
de la Dulzura
Guayaquil – Bucay – Guayaquil (Duran Train station)
Enjoy a day of adventure in Bucay, reliving the
railway history of Ecuador. From the comfort of your seat in a renovated convoy
with air conditioning and bar service, you will discover the changing landscapes
of the Coast: from plantations to the cloud forest, through the historic town
of Yaguachi. An unforgettable adventure to enjoy with the whole family or with
your friends.
Explore the Pacific Coast
The coastal plains are marked by mighty rivers like
the Guayas, which advances from the Andes to the Gulf of Guayaquil, where its
mouth creates the largest watershed of the Pacific coast of South America. The
Guayas, among others, shapes life on these plains, since their floods create
destruction or leave vital sediment for farmers over hundreds of kilometers.
These lands are painted with endless banana, rice, and sugar cane plantations
and imposing tropical forests that indicate the proximity of the formidable
Andes.
Almost 3.800 years ago, these fertile plains were the
cradle of the best cocoa on Earth. It traveled to Central America and later to
Europe. Then, during the struggles for independence, it provided resources to
local armies. Much later, thanks to the natural harbors, it would become the
origin of the railway, because the parts, rails and machines came from US or
Europe to the bustling port of Guayaquil.
Train Journey
Guayaquil – Yaguachi – San Rafael – Naranjito – Guayaquil
(Duran Train Station)
(Duran Train Station)
Discover the classic haciendas in the Pacific coast.
Enjoy an unforgettable experience in the countryside while you learn about farm
animals and the traditional sugar cane harvest by the hand of the local
“zafreros”!
In the afternoon, enjoy a delicious lunch* on board
the train from the comfort of your seat in a renovated convoy with air
conditioning and bar service.
An unforgettable adventure to enjoy with the whole family or with your friends.
An unforgettable adventure to enjoy with the whole family or with your friends.
Cocoa Train Journey
Guayaquil
– San Antonio (Hacienda La Danesa) – Guayaquil
Discover the historical route that resemble the
construction of the Trans-Andean railway from the intense coastal plains to the
majestic Andes while visiting the exclusive Hacienda La Danesa. The property was
established in 1870 along with the first railway stations built in the
Ecuadorian coast. Discover live in a classic “Montubia” hacienda while learning
how to prepare artisans chocolate with cocoa harvested from the best
plantations in the world and enjoy cuisine in a “farm to fork” style with local
produced ingredients in a sustainable manner from the very same hacienda.
Additional Activities
Horse Riding: Experience horse riding through green fields and
forests guided by a professional Montubio cowboy and learn more about horses
and natural horsemanship. This experience has a duration of one hour and
Hacienda La Danesa will provide security equipment (equestrian helmets and
chaps).
Tubing: Float down a lazy river for forty-five minutes
surrounded by trees and birds. If you are lucky, you may see deers and sloths.
Hacienda La Danesa will provide security equipment (life jackets).
Bicycles: You may explore the 1200 acres property by fat wheel
bikes. Hacienda La Danesa will provide security equipment (helmets).
Train Cost & Highlands Journey
Guayaquil – Alausí or Alausí – Guayaquil
(Duran Train Station)
Guayaquil – Alausí or Alausí – Guayaquil
(Duran Train Station)
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