A Walk Through Guayaquil: From Icons to Everyday

Malecón 2000 – Guayaquil’s Modern Face

​Another stop after visiting the cathedral was Malecón 2000—Guayaquil's modern riverfront promenade. It's hard to believe this area used to be considered unsafe. Today, it's one of the city's highlights: clean, secure, and full of life. We walked past local craft stalls, shady trees, and monuments, with views stretching along the Guayas River. In the distance, you can even spot a Ferris wheel and a replica of an old ship—a perfect place to take in Guayaquil's more modern, relaxed side.

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​The Easy Part, According to Him

​Our next stop was Cerro Santa Ana—or more accurately, just the bottom of it. With 444 steps to the top, it’s one of Guayaquil’s most iconic viewpoints. But on the last day of our trip, with the heat rising and our energy fading, we decided to take it easy. We spotted this man coming down the stairs with empty crates. I told him he must be a strong man, and he smiled and said this part was easy—the hard part is carrying the full crates up. Fair enough!