They Do Parks Right in Guayaquil

I think Guayaquil has some of the best parks in the world. Of course, I have lived here for seven years so I might be a bit biased. Guayaquil is also one of those cities that never seems to get any respect. It is the largest city in Ecuador and the commercial center and a major port. I hear a lot of people who say there is nothing to do here. In Guayaquil? 

En serio? 

(really?)??????

Most people only know it as a stop along their trip to the Galapagos Islands. Step out of the hotel, though and you find a wonderfully green world out there.

Let's start by exploring Iguana Park first. It's just a few blocks from the riverside boardwalks of Malecon Simon Bolivar, so a quick detour from your shopping will bring you to this little green city gem. What makes Iguana Park so special is that the name is so wonderfully accurate. This little city park is filled with huge docile iguanas, that laze around all day regardless of their human audiences. Iguanas are harmless and are fun to watch after seeing all the nearby city attractions. There are also snapping turtles in a pool. By the way, one thing you’ll find is about every park has some massive statue to some hero or local legend. At Iguana Park it is Simon Bolivar.

Though most people call it Iguana Park, it sometimes goes by the name Parque Seminario.

And if you are walking along the Malecon 2000, there is another great park at the northern end of it. Just make sure you're ready for the 444 steps it takes to get up to the Cerro Santa Ana. The view over the city makes the extra effort worth it though. You can see everything from up there, and its more than just a simple park. There is a lot of history at Cerra Santa Ana, including an old lighthouse, church, museum and high watch battlements. But to me the best part are the scores of little restaurants, bars and stores along the winding steps.

If that's not enough history to suit you, you should spend some time at the Parque Historico, across the river from the downtown core of Guayaquil. It's a real authentic step back in time, where you can walk around restored buildings from Ecuador's past. The little zoo boasts a collection of brightly-colored parrots, more iguanas and other local wildlife. It's a great park to visit if you are travelling with children because there is so much to see.

Personally I love the Malecon 2000. Besides being a fabulous place to see the river, there are loads of little vendors and shops to explore as well. Museums and restaurants are also found along the boardwalk, but if you are looking for parks then its the Malecon Gardens you're after. The gardens are a huge botanical park filled with Ecuadorian landscapes. Large groomed beds of flowers line the pedestrian pathways, and you can stroll through the area under a green canopy of trees. Streams, fountains and gazebos dot the area to add a little extra interest. It's just a beautiful place for a relaxing afternoon walk.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other parks in Guayaquil so that you could easily find a new patch of green space every day you are there, and never see the same sights twice.