The Malecón 2000 is a wonderful hub for many activities in downtown Guayaquil. The term "malecón" is commonly found in any town that has a street stretching along the waterfront. Since the mid-1800s in Guayaquil, this has been the place where locals and visitors of every social class have spent their evenings looking for a cool breeze. The same stretch along the river was revamped and inaugurated as Malecón 2000 in October 1999.

The southern sector, between Cuenca and 10 de Agosto, includes a shopping center, open-air food courts, an arts and crafts market and the Mercado Sur. Hungry walkers can enjoy budget to mid-range seafood dishes while watching the Guayas river pass by on its way to the Pacific. The artisans' market hosts the only Pro-Pueblo retailer in the country. Pro-Pueblo consists of co-ops of coastal artisans who mostly work from their homes to create low-cost products, including ceramics and tagua nut (vegetable ivory) Christmas decorations sold there are of such good quality that they are sometimes resold in other shops for three times the price. The Mercado Sur, constructed by a contemporary of Eiffel, was home to one of Guayaquil's primary market

s until the regeneration project relocated vendors to another part of the city. The central sector, between 10 de Agosto and P. Icaza, begins at the Moorish Clock Tower and ends at the La Rotonda monument at 9 de Octubre. During the reconstruction of the Malecón, architects added monuments to the four elements. As testaments to the original mangrove forests that flanked the river, you can also find thick trees standing where the walkways have been built around them. In the northern sector, between P. Icaza and the Las Peñas neighborhood, you'll find gardens, an IMAX theater, another food court and the MAAC (Museum of anthropology and contemporary art). The beautifully landscaped gardens showcase flora from the coastal region and has Masonic-influenced designs. The MAAC brings in interesting exhibits from all over the world and hosts musical performances. The museum also includes a theater, which presents both international and national films (one of the rare places to witness Ecuador's contribution to cinema).

Location:
Fundación Malecón 2000, Sargento Vargas 116 and Av. Olmedo
Guayaquil, Ecuador

City Plaza Types:
Other

Relative price: Budget

Travel Skills: None

Contact Information:
Phone: +593 4 252 4530
Fax: +593 4 252 4211
E-mail: info(at)remove-this.malecon2000.org.ec
URL: www.malecon2000.com

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