Museo Antropológico y de Arte Contemporáneo
Guayaquil
Marking the end of the riverfront is the modern MAAC, a museum of anthropology and archaeology that hosts a superb permanent collection of pre-Colombian…
Must-see attractions in South Coast
South Coast
The westernmost point of Ecuador has three main attractions:La Fae Beach, with a boarded walkway where you can watch a seal colony;El Morro (or little…
Ruta Spondylus
Preserving isolated beaches, coral formations, two offshore islands, tropical dry forest, coastal cloud forest, archaeological sites and 200 sq km of…
South Coast
A 4km boardwalk loop leads to the petrified forest (take the trail behind the toilet block; another dirt road to the left leads to private land). The dry…
Ruta Spondylus
A visit to this small indigenous community and its surrounding territory is a chance to escape tar-and-concrete modern Ecuador. You’ll find the turn-off,…
South Coast
Salinas' main, and most crowded, beach sits on the malecón opposite dozens of restaurants and hotels. It has volleyball courts, a pier (from which you can…
South Coast
To the west of San Lorenzo Beach is Chipipe – equally well maintained, but with a fraction of its neighbor's crowds. If you're looking for a quieter beach…
South Coast
Learn how cocoa is produced at this pleasant, rustic 10-hectare farm, run by the friendly and welcoming Lara family. Day trips include a tour of the farm,…
Guayaquil
One of the most extensive urban-renewal projects in South America, Malecón 2000 is made up of monuments, playgrounds, sculptures, gardens and river views…
Ruta Spondylus
Well worth a visit. Spanish-speaking guides explain the significance of the artifacts, including well-preserved ancient tools, ceramics and funeral urns…
South Coast
Run by the passionate Ben Hasse, a pioneer of whale-watching in the area, this small and informative whale museum has several whale skeletons, including…
Guayaquil
One of Guayaquil's most iconic sights is this hillside enclave, which is dotted with brightly painted homes, cafes, bars and souvenir shops. Follow the…
Guayaquil
One of Guayaquil's most charming and upscale settings for a bite or a drink is Plaza Lagos, a handsomely designed complex of restaurants, designer…
Guayaquil
Colonial history meets the animal kingdom at this large site across the Puente Rafael Mendoza Aviles Bridge, east of Río Daule. The park is divided into…
Ruta Spondylus
A fascinating collection of more than 245 ceramics pieces is exhibited here. Objects date from 3000 BC to 1500 AD and account the settlements of the…
Reserva Ecológica Manglares Churute
South Coast
This 50,000 hectare national reserve protects an area of mangroves that serve as an important and unique habitat for many species. Visitors can hire a…
Guayaquil
This historic street, named after the well-known guayaquileño poet (1832–1907), begins at the northern end of the malecón, to the right of the stairs that…
South Coast
Run by the Fundación Jocotoco, this 27-sq-km cloud-forest reserve is a fantastic spot for bird-watching. There are a number of short trails, simple wooden…
South Coast
Located a couple of blocks from the main road, on the west side of Santa Elena, this museum sits on an ancient cemetery of the indigenous Sumpa people…
South Coast
This historic 125-year-old bakery, comes complete with an original old stone oven, which is itself around a century old. Not only is it a good photo op,…
South Coast
Constructed in 1737, this spectacular green and white church is one of the oldest churches on Ecuador's south coast. Originally built with traditional…
Guayaquil
If you'd prefer to get away from the crowds at Santa Ana Hill, this little known viewpoint offers staggering views over Guayaquil, including downtown, the…
Guayaquil
You can climb the spiral staircase inside the lighthouse for spectacular 360-degree views of the city and its rivers. It's 444 taxing steps up through…
Museo de los Equipos del Astillero
Guayaquil
A photo- and trophy-filled tribute to Guayaquil's great rival soccer teams, Barcelona and Emelec, this museum is divided neatly into two colors: the…
Guayaquil
This hilltop fort played a critical role in defending the city against pirate attacks during Guayaquil's early days. The cannons are sometimes fired…
Ruta Spondylus
Awesome sunset views of Salango, Isla Salango and Río Chico from a wooden observatory jutting out over the sea on a spit of land between Las Tunas and…
South Coast
This private reserve is administered by Fundación Pro-Bosque. There’s an organic farm, an education center with exhibits on the local ecology and birdlife…
Guayaquil
On the west side of Seminario Park is a cathedral originally built in 1547 as a wooden building – however, like much of Guayaquil, it was destroyed by…
Guayaquil
Like it's better known-brother Malecón 2000, Malecón El Salado is another attractive waterfront renewal project that's popular with residents. There are…
Museo de la Musica Popular Guayaquileña Julio Jaramillo
Guayaquil
This small, quaint museum is worth a peek while strolling through this historic area. One part is dedicated to the great singers and songwriters of…
Guayaquil
A block south of Parque Bolívar, you’ll find this museum and, on the opposite side of the building, the municipal library. The archaeology room on the…
Guayaquil
Incorporated into the city landscape a short ride from the city center is this landmark cemetery, founded in 1823. It contains hundreds of above-ground…
Guayaquil
Across the street from the malecón is the ornate, gray Palacio Municipal building, home to the Municipal Council and the mayor's office. The elaborate…
Museo en Miniatura 'Guayaquil en la Historia'
Guayaquil
This whimsical museum takes visitors on a breezy journey through Guayaquil's history, with elaborate miniature sets that relate key events over the past…
Guayaquil
Located north of the city on the way to Daule, this is a rescue and rehabilitation center for injured and abandoned wildlife, as well as being a zoo with…
Puerto López
Fritz the humpback whale washed up dead on the beach 40km south of Puerto López in 2004. His skeleton was recovered with the help of Hosteria Mandala and…
Guayaquil
This plaza, along Avenida 9 de Octubre, is the largest in Guayaquil and marks the midway point between the Río Guayas and the Estero Salado. It is four…
South Coast
While Zaruma's mines are mostly exhausted or closed to visitors, you can step inside a 500m-long tunnel in La Mina el Sexmo. Guests don boots and a helmet…
Guayaquil
Around halfway along the malecón you’ll soon come to one of Guayaquil’s more impressive monuments, particularly when illuminated at night. Flanked by…
Guayaquil
This museum, featuring an impressive collection of archaeological artifacts, including pottery and figurines made by the original settlers of Ecuador, is…
