Information
Landmark: Parque de las IguanasCity: Guayaquil
Country: Ecuador
Continent: South America
Parque de las Iguanas, Guayaquil, Ecuador, South America
Overview
Parque de las Iguanas, or Parque Seminario, sits in the heart of Guayaquil-a small green haven where iguanas lounge in the sun and locals stroll under the shade of tall palms.The park is known for its resident iguanas, which wander freely along the paths, making it a favorite stop for visitors and a beloved hangout for locals.In the park, you can watch deer slip through the trees while passing weathered stone markers from centuries past, making it an ideal place for a slow, memorable walk.Highlights of Parque de las Iguanas, like the rustle of palm leaves above you.Parque de las Iguanas is best known for the hundreds of green iguanas that wander its paths, their tails flicking lazily in the sun.These full-grown iguanas are used to people, and you’ll often spot them stretched out in warm sunlight, scrambling up tree trunks, or sprawled lazily across the park’s paths.You can stand just a few steps from these remarkable animals, a perfect chance to snap photos or quietly watch them in their natural rhythm.The park’s staff feeds and looks after the iguanas, yet they remain fully wild-basking on warm rocks and lending the place its charm.On most days, the park buzzes with families, kids pressing their faces to the glass, grinning at the creatures just inches away.Number two.The park is a vibrant stretch of green, with tall, leafy trees, bright flower beds, and walking paths so neat you can hear the crunch of gravel under your shoes.Tall trees cast broad shadows that drape the ground in cool relief, making it the perfect place to spread a blanket, unwrap sandwiches, and linger in the quiet air.The park holds a few statues and benches, quiet places where you can rest on cool wood and take in the rustle of leaves around you.Three.Just steps from the Catedral Metropolitana de Guayaquil, Parque de las Iguanas holds a place in the city’s history as part of the Seminario area, one of Guayaquil’s oldest neighborhoods where the bricks seem to remember every footstep.The park is woven into Guayaquil’s heritage, a spot where neighbors have met for years under the shade of old ceiba trees.Tucked beside centuries-old landmarks, it lets visitors soak in the city’s rich history while pausing under the shade of a quiet tree.Number four.Right in the heart of the city, Parque de las Iguanas puts you steps away from other sights, like the Catedral Metropolitana de Guayaquil-a striking neo-Gothic church whose spires rise just beyond the park’s edge.Malecón 2000 is a lively waterfront promenade lined with shops, inviting cafés, and cultural spots, where the scent of grilled seafood drifts through the warm evening air.La Rotonda is a historic monument that marks the meeting of Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín, where bronze figures seem to pause mid-handshake.Five.The park’s warm, laid-back vibe makes it perfect for families, and kids light up when they spot iguanas basking in the sun along the path.Amid the soft rustle of leaves, visitors can stroke the calm, slow-moving iguanas and forget the city’s constant rush.Getting there’s simple-Parque de las Iguanas sits right in the heart of Guayaquil, just a short walk from the main plaza, or a quick ride by taxi or bus.By taxi, most drivers in Guayaquil know exactly where the park is, and it’s just a quick ride from busy landmarks like the Malecón 2000 or the shaded plaza outside the city hall.On foot, it’s an easy stroll from most downtown Guayaquil hotels to the park, passing cafés and street vendors along the way.Several bus routes roll past the park, so it’s easy to hop on a bus and be there in minutes, hearing the brakes hiss as you step off nearby.For the best experience, head to the park in the morning or late afternoon, when iguanas scurry across sunlit paths and the air stays cool enough for an easy stroll.On weekends, the park often fills with locals and tourists, cameras in hand, eager to watch the iguanas and take in the lush greenery.Bring a camera or your phone-those iguanas are a sight worth remembering, their bright scales catching the sun in every shot.The park may be small, but you’ll still want comfortable shoes-you’ll be on your feet, wandering shaded paths and snapping photos.Water Bottle and Snacks: The park doesn’t have much in the way of food, so toss a bottle of cold water and a few snacks in your bag if you’re planning to linger awhile.The neo-Gothic Catedral Metropolitana de Guayaquil, one of the city’s most striking landmarks, stands just a short stroll from Parque de las Iguanas, where green iguanas lounge in the sun.Malecón 2000 is a lively waterfront promenade where you can stroll past cafés, browse small shops, explore museums, and take in sweeping views of the Guayas River shimmering in the sun.The Museo Antropológico y de Arte Contemporáneo (MAAC) sits just a short walk away, displaying Ecuador’s rich history alongside bold, colorful works of modern art.La Rotonda is a historic monument honoring the meeting of Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín, where stone figures seem to stand mid-conversation beneath the warm coastal sun.In Guayaquil, Parque de las Iguanas offers a rare mix of lively wildlife, lush greenery, and rich history-you might even spot a sunbathing iguana draped over a warm stone.Freely roaming iguanas bask in the sun, the air feels calm, and the spot’s just a short walk away-making it an ideal place to pause, breathe, and enjoy one of the city’s quirks.Whether you come for the monkeys chattering in the trees, the rich history, or just a quiet afternoon in the sun, the park has something for everyone and easily earns its spot as a must-see in Guayaquil.
