Must-see attractions in South Coast

  • Salinas, Ecuador - April 14, 2016: The lighthouse at La Chocolatera, the point of land that sticks furthest out into the Pacific Ocean from Ecuador. ; Shutterstock ID 436830718; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI
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    La Chocolatera

    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…

  • Fossilized trunks in the Petrified Forest of Puyango in southern Ecuador.

    El Bosque Petrificado Puyango

    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…

  • People visiting Playa de San Lorenzo in Salinas, Ecuador.

    San Lorenzo Beach

    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…

  • Playa de Chipipe in Salinas, Ecuador.

    Chipipe Beach

    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…

  • Cacau E Mango

    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,…

  • Malecón 2000

    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…

  • Whale Museum

    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…

  • Cerro Santa Ana

    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…

  • Plaza Lagos

    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…

  • Parque Histórico Guayaquil

    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…

  • 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…

  • Numa Pompilio Llona

    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…

  • Reserva Buenaventura

    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…

  • Los Amantes de Sumpa

    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…

  • San Francisco Bakery

    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,…

  • Iglesia San Jacinto del Morro

    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…

  • Balcon Mirador Cerro Paraiso

    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…

  • Lighthouse

    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…

  • Fortín del Cerro

    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…

  • Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco

    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…

  • Cathedral & Seminario Park

    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…

  • Malecón El Salado

    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 Municipal

    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…

  • City Cemetery

    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…

  • Palacio Municipal

    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…

  • Zoologico el Pantanal

    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…

  • Parque del Centenario

    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…

  • La Mina el Sexmo

    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…

  • La Rotonda

    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…

  • Museo Presley Norton

    Guayaquil

    This museum, featuring an impressive collection of archaeological artifacts, including pottery and figurines made by the original settlers of Ecuador, is…

  • Museo Nahim Isaias

    Guayaquil

    Nahim Isaias, located in the Plaza de Administración building, exhibits more than 2000 pictorial and sculptural works, paintings and artifacts from the…

  • Church of San Francisco

    Guayaquil

    This church, originally built in the early 18th century, burned down in the devastating fire of 1896, which destroyed huge swaths of the city. It was…

  • Virgen del Carmen Church

    South Coast

    The town's beautifully decorated church, with a white, mint green and gold interior, dates back to 1912, and is worth a look. It's located in the main…

  • Iglesia de Santo Domingo

    Guayaquil

    Behind the open-air Teatro Bogotá is the oldest church in Guayaquil. Founded in 1548 and restored in 1938, it’s worth a look.

  • Capilla Santa Ana

    Guayaquil

    This tiny church sits atop Cerro Santa Ana. It's worth climbing up here for the magnificent views.

  • Jardín Botánico de Guayaquil

    Guayaquil

    Perched on a hillside with magnificent city views, about a half-hour drive north of town near Cerro Colorado, this not-very-well-maintained botanical…