Information
Landmark: Parque SeminarioCity: Guayaquil
Country: Ecuador
Continent: South America
Parque Seminario, Guayaquil, Ecuador, South America
Overview
Parque Seminario, or Parque de las Iguanas, sits in the heart of Guayaquil, Ecuador, where visitors often pause to watch iguanas bask in the afternoon sun, making it one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks.Tucked into the city’s historic heart, this leafy little park gives you a quiet place to breathe while traffic hums just beyond the gates.The place is best known for its huge iguana population, and visitors often stop here to watch them bask on warm stone walls while soaking in the city’s wildlife and natural charm.Steeped in history, the park was founded in the 19th century and has remained at the heart of Guayaquil’s daily life, where children still chase pigeons across its shaded paths.The iguanas that roam the park have become part of its very character, basking on sun‑warmed stones, while the park itself is woven deep into the city’s history.Over the years, Parque Seminario has hosted countless public events, and its shady palms and bright green lawns keep drawing both locals and curious travelers.Iguanas steal the show at Parque Seminario, where dozens of bright green reptiles lounge in the sun and wander freely through the grass.These ancient-looking reptiles have become the park’s trademark, turning up in the trees, draped over stone statues, or stretched out in a warm patch of sunlight.Iguanas wander freely through the park, unbothered by people, sometimes pausing to bask in the sun before edging closer to curious visitors, giving the place a charm you won’t find anywhere else.Iguanas aren’t just something to look at-they’re living symbols of Guayaquil’s wild beauty, their green scales catching the sunlight as travelers from everywhere stop to watch in awe.Parque Seminario stands as a reminder that wildlife can flourish right in the middle of a bustling city, where green lawns and the rustle of iguana tails break through the noise.Along with its resident iguanas, Parque Seminario charms visitors with both striking architecture and vibrant natural beauty.Towering tropical trees cast cool shade across the paths, turning the park into a calm, green retreat.Thick green leaves sway in the breeze, giving the park a calm, easy feel and a welcome escape from the roar of the city streets.The park is dotted with statues and monuments, from weathered bronze figures to polished stone memorials, giving the place both history and artistry.The sculptures, paired with the worn wooden benches and winding paths, fill the park with a quiet sense of tradition and easy charm.The park has several small fountains, their soft splashes blending with birdsong, creating a calm spot where you can relax and let the day slow down.While most visitors come to Parque Seminario to see its iguanas basking in the sun, the park also holds deep cultural significance.Locals often gather here to relax, chat with friends, and take in the rustle of leaves and the sweep of the view.The park sits close to Guayaquil’s key landmarks, including the Iglesia de San Francisco and the breezy Malecón 2000, making it a perfect place to pause and rest your feet while exploring.Parque Seminario helps raise environmental awareness by offering a spot where city streets meet the shade of old, green trees, letting urban life and nature share the same space in harmony.Parque Seminario sits in Guayaquil’s historic district, so it’s an easy stop for both locals and visitors-just a short stroll from the old stone church.Tucked in the city’s center, it draws people who crave a quiet escape, where you can hear leaves rustle over the hum of traffic.The park’s open every day, but it’s best in the early morning or late afternoon, when the air feels cooler and iguanas dart across sunlit paths.You don’t need to pay to enter Parque Seminario-just stroll in, wander under the shady trees, and watch the iguanas basking in the sun.Just a short walk from the park, Malecón 2000 stretches along the water, with colorful lights glinting off the river at night.Shops buzz, cafés spill out the smell of fresh coffee, and museums line the edge of the Guayas River.The Iglesia de San Francisco sits just a short walk away, its colonial-era walls glowing in the afternoon sun and its halls filled with intricate religious art.Las Peñas bursts with color-colonial houses lined in weathered blues and yellows, lively streets echoing with music, and sweeping views of Guayaquil from the top of Cerro Santa Ana.Parque Seminario is a one‑of‑a‑kind spot in Guayaquil, where you can watch green iguanas bask in the sun and get a feel for the city’s rich cultural heritage.Known for its many iguanas basking on sun-warmed rocks, this park offers a calm, leafy escape from the city's constant buzz.Whether you’re into wildlife, snapping photos, or just soaking up the sun under its tall palms, Parque Seminario is a spot you can’t miss when exploring Guayaquil.With its lush greenery, weathered stone monuments, and curious iguanas basking in the sun, this park leaves an impression you won’t forget.
