For those of you who don’t already know, I’m mixed and have always loved being apart of two different cultures. I have always been so intrigued to learn more about both sides of my family and develop a special relationship with both sides. I am half Ecuadorean and half British, and prior to this trip, hadn’t been to Ecuador since I was 8 years old, so going back to see my home and family there was so emotional and amazing.
A lot of people who travel to Ecuador usually avoid Guayaquil because it’s definitely not the safest place in Ecuador, but that doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful and SO worth it to visit! When thinking of Ecuador, people think of the capital- Quito, as well as other beautiful places like Baños and Cuenca. You should definitely visit ALL these places if you get the chance because they’re absolutely gorgeous- but this post is gonna be about my family’s hometown Guayaquil and the beauty of it~
Las Peñas
I’ll start off with my absolute favourite place first- Las Peñas! The candy coloured homes that line the horizon are the most beautiful view, especially from up high. To get up the very top of Las Peñas, you climb the 444 necessary steps to get up to the vantage point. The hike up is not difficult, can definitely be done with kids and older folks- and is totally worth it for the view that you get at the top!
On your way up, theres lots of little plateaus every 20-30 steps, so it’s definitely a day trip because theres lots to see. There’s washrooms and museums on some floors, as well as little shops where locals sell handmade souvenirs, home decor and clothing. I love seeing the locals with their spreads of beautiful handmade dresses in the little homes and on the sides of the steps. Definitely pop into a few if you’re looking for souvenirs to take home. As you can see, I didn’t miss a chance at any photo opportunities on the way up lol.
Definitely bring a water bottle (or buy one for 75 cents in the shops) because you’re definitely going to sweat and be thirsty in Ecuador’s scorching sun. Once you get to the top (444 steps later), you’ll see a pretty little church that you can normally go into and get some fresh fan air, as well as check out the beautiful interior inside and take a few moments to yourself. Beyond this little church is the beautiful view of Las Peñas. Turning to your right, you’ll see the large body of water and the buildings that encompass Ecuador’s more urbanized side, and turning to your left/centre you’ll see more of the historical coloured buildings and the rural aspects of Guayaquil. Both sides are beautiful but trust me- the view you get at the top is remarkable. There’s another tower that allows you to go higher (which was unfortunately under construction when I went this time) but it will allow you to go even higher and see the view from higher up. This trip is something you definitely can’t miss.
Malecon & La Perla
This area has always held special memories for me because I came here so often on my trip when I was younger. Going to La Perla Ferris wheel and seeing the water and boats was always my favourite. La Perla is South America’s largest freestanding Ferris wheel which allows for the best views of Guayaquil while on it. If you happen to visit this area on a weekend, prepare for a little bit of traffic but if you visit on a weekday you might be the only one on the Ferris wheel! It’s crazy how days and times of days make such a difference when it comes to sightseeing here.
Malecon is known for it’s great restaurants around the boat club, theres a Sweet & Coffee which I highly recommend if you’re a coffee connoisseur too! There’s many places to sit (or walk) and watch the boats docking and you can also take a boat to see Las Peñas too!
Iguana Park
Going to Iguana park is super cool and a must-see if you’re coming to Guayaquil. In Toronto, squirrels kind of roam the area wherever you go, but here it’s literally iguanas. Just crawling around everywhere, AND you can touch/hold/feed them. It’s pretty cool to be honest!
Theres also some photo spots while you’re in this general area. The biggest church in Ecuador stands right behind the iguana park and it’s architecture is beautiful, especially if you love vintage/old looking buildings. Make sure you get lots of pics/videos of you and the cute iguanas! They also sell some food that you can feed them with for pretty cheap (CAD 50 cents).
Salinas Beach
Im a sucker for nice beaches, I grew up in the beaches in Toronto so beaches always hold a special spot in my heart. Always have been and always will be a beach girl. Salinas is beautiful- definitely something out of a movie or magazine. The sun always shines brighter there, so it’s always SUPER hot (40- 45 degrees Celsius) the water is cool and the sand is white and clear. This is a beautiful spot to sit and work on your tan, read a book, swim in the ocean and get some really nifty souvenirs from the beach walkers who make their own one-of-a-kind goods. Really amazing and so beautiful!
The Streets of Guayaquil
Believe it or not, the streets of Guayaquil are beautiful when you go to the right spots. Even from my balcony, looking at the city is so humbling and rewarding. I loved seeing the developing communities my mom and her family grew up in, and how much it took for them to come to Canada! An extremely humbling experience overall- I would recommend that everyone visit their home country at least once in their life. Also– stray cats and dogs here are SO CUTE. I wanted to take them home and have them befriend Louie 🙂
Such a humbling experience- I cried the entire flight home and miss it already, but I’m so glad I went! I would definitely recommend visiting Guayaquil if you’re going to visit Ecuador- the city is packed with culture and beauty all around.
Thanks for reading– see you in my next post! xoxo Savannah
