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Polaroid of the Week: Stunning 360° Views from Cerro Santa Ana Over Guayaquil, Ecuador

Polaroid of the Week: Stunning 360° Views from Cerro Santa Ana Over Guayaquil, Ecuador

After my Galápagos Islands cruise, I needed a respite in Guayaquil—Ecuador's largest city and one of South America's major seaports—to catch up on work and sift through hundreds of backed-up emails. While tourist attractions are limited, the revitalized Malecón 2000 riverwalk offered ideal morning runs and lively evening vibes, from people-watching to an IMAX screening of La La Land.

North of the Malecón lies Las Peñas, Guayaquil's oldest neighborhood, with vibrant houses cascading up Cerro Santa Ana hill. Once a slum, it's now a cherished tourist gem thanks to regeneration efforts. The 432 numbered stairs to the summit serve as a challenging reminder of the ascent ahead, but the reward is a spectacular 360° panorama of the city and Guayas River. At the top, a quaint chapel and climbable lighthouse enhance the views (as captured in this Polaroid). Sunny plazas with palms, lounging cats, and drying laundry made it my favorite spot—I conquered those stairs twice despite the sweltering heat, before heading to Pacific Coast beaches 2.5 hours west.

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