Las Penas
Las Penas
4.5
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4.5
1,969 reviews
Excellent
1,068
Very good
727
Average
140
Poor
20
Terrible
14
Chris W
Chicago, IL94 contributions
Sept 2023 • Business
If you visit Guayaquil, you have to check out Las Peñas. There are 444 stairs that climb up to the top of a view of the city. Along the climb, there are several restaurants and shops. Once you get to the top, you can climb further up to the top of the lighthouse that overlooks the city. There were not that many people there when we went, and the food we tried was average at best, but it is worth the experience and view. If you're looking for local businesses to support, this is the area to visit!
Written 23 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
george c
Miami Beach, FL43 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
Highly recommend climbing yo the top of the climb/walk. Scenic and entertaining. There are a couple of bars worth stopping for a drink along the way. Nice attraction and historic church with magnificent view at the top.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marc W
Austin, TX278 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We did it fairly early on a Monday so the restaurants and bars weren't open yet. But the area looked like it would be pretty fun one it gets rolling.views grin the top were really nice. It's across the street from Malecon 200 and the metro cable car station. If you have time ride the cable car from the to end, pretty cool.
Written 2 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vacation_addict_Ohio
Columbus, OH237 contributions
Jan 2020
This is a very interesting area. Very colorful houses. The 444 steps (each one numbered) up to the top go past businesses and houses. They have some pictures of how it was before the renovation along the way.
Recommend doing it in the coolest part of the day.
Recommend doing it in the coolest part of the day.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
buckets1969
Flitwick, UK689 contributions
Jan 2022
I took a walk up the hill to the lighthouse and church. Hot work getting up the 444 steps but worth the view. There are hummingbirds in the trees up there too. The route is heavily policed like the whole area.
Written 22 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Junglehike
Las Vegas, NV177 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Worth coming here to see the real town of Guayaquil, not too far from our hotel and next door to the Ferris Wheel and waterfront. It’s the old neighborhood. Not that clean but safe climbing, security guards everywhere. 400 steps is nothing and you will be rewarded with a nice church and lighthouse. Also you can see the view of the town. After here we walk across to get a ride on the cable car. A must and dirt cheap crossing the river. Love Ecuador. 3 blocks near cable car station is the handicrafts main bazaar(Mercado Artesanal Guayaquil)We loaded on leather belts, wallets, Panama hats, Alpaca blankets and hammock etc. So cheap! Must bargain.
Written 10 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JSMinMN
Minneapolis, MN108 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
We were in town for less than two hours. our hotel recommened taking thier secure taxi to Las Penas for a dring and snacks. The taxi took us over to the area and while we were looking for a place to go, we got robbed in the taxi by 5 guys, two of which had guns. Very scary.
Written 16 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen D
Boca Raton, FL51 contributions
Apr 2017 • Business
My colleague and I were in Las Penas and going to climb the 444 steps to the lighthouse and chapel on a Sunday afternoon last April. He decided he was hungry, so we delayed our climb and tried to navigate our way to a restaurant on the water by going around the hill on the land side. We passed the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman where there were about 200 people in the courtyard. This gave us a false sense of security. We were in clear view of people playing cards and in houses on the hill. I had taken my camera out of a bag to take photos of the church. I think someone called the young thieves having spotted me with my somewhat small mirrorless camera. The thieves ran past us and one turned on me and grabbed for my camera. I held on initially, but then spotted his buddy about 10 feet away with a small automatic pistol pointed at me. They got my camera phone and a partially full wallet. My colleague only lost his phone. Stay where you see security if you go. We were about 300 yards past the church of Santo Domingo de Guzman on Seagento Buitron when it happened. The safer walk, would have been to stay on the water side of the hill.
Written 23 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert T
Fort Lauderdale, FL2 contributions
May 2015 • Business
I went to Guayaquil for a business meeting last month and I had couple days off while I was there, I will be brief ... Let me name a few places that you must visit while you are in Guayaquil. Definitely ask for "Las Peñas"; this is where Guayaquil started; once you go up the hill, pick any restaurant/bar you may like ( I will recommend "Arthur's")and have a couple cold ones, Guayaquil is very hot so just ask for "2 Club Verdes, por favor" which is a great Ecuadorian beer, sit back and enjoy the view of the Rio Guayas after that break, walk to "Casa Cervecera Pilsener" and ask for a "Picada" which is an appetizer dish with some Ecuadorian "patacones "(fried plantains with cheese), "empanadas de verde" and some small strips of sirloin. You will not be disappointed. Guayaquileños are friendly; they will try to help you even if they don't speak your language. .. If you like Football/Soccer or you just want to understand the nature of Ecuadorians, next to Casa Cervecera Pilsener there is a free "Futbol Museum" that shows the history of Barcelona of Guayaquil and Emelec which are the most representative football clubs in beautiful Guayaquil. After that 20 mins tour, you can go to "Parque de las Iguanas" in downtown Guayaquil, or just walk the whole Malecon 2000 Boardwalk. While you there please do yourself a favor drinking "coco-rico" coconut milk. This is served with lot of ice, is delicious, sweet and refreshing. And I think is less than a $1 :)
Restaurants: "Puerto Moro" it is a just must go!! Ask for a good typical arroz con moro meal. Delicious!!! Well, If is late and you want an authentic Goat and/or seafood dish, "La Canoa Restaurante" is the place, great Ceviche and Seco de Chivo (Just Try one of them). Ask a cab to take you to “El Gato Portovejense" the place is not fancy at all but it is just the best you can ever imagine, if you don't know what to eat just ask for the "cazuela mixta" or an "encocado" with Shrimp and Albacore Tuna... It is so gooood!!!! Guayaquil is very hot, humidity is worse than here in the States, you must ask your driver to take you to a good cold beverage place to have a "resbaladera”. You cannot leave Guayaquil if you have not try their "Encebollado" Soup. It is a Fish Stew to die for!! The best couple places that I had "Encebollado" were "Los Arbolitos" and "Pez Volador"; please never ask for Sodas, all restaurants have natural juices. Try their "Naranjilla”, "Maracuya" or "batido de mora" blends. Those three are some damn good.
Restaurants: "Puerto Moro" it is a just must go!! Ask for a good typical arroz con moro meal. Delicious!!! Well, If is late and you want an authentic Goat and/or seafood dish, "La Canoa Restaurante" is the place, great Ceviche and Seco de Chivo (Just Try one of them). Ask a cab to take you to “El Gato Portovejense" the place is not fancy at all but it is just the best you can ever imagine, if you don't know what to eat just ask for the "cazuela mixta" or an "encocado" with Shrimp and Albacore Tuna... It is so gooood!!!! Guayaquil is very hot, humidity is worse than here in the States, you must ask your driver to take you to a good cold beverage place to have a "resbaladera”. You cannot leave Guayaquil if you have not try their "Encebollado" Soup. It is a Fish Stew to die for!! The best couple places that I had "Encebollado" were "Los Arbolitos" and "Pez Volador"; please never ask for Sodas, all restaurants have natural juices. Try their "Naranjilla”, "Maracuya" or "batido de mora" blends. Those three are some damn good.
Written 17 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FLETCH1963
Castle Rock, CO22 contributions
July 2015 • Friends
I do not understand how Las Penas received a Certificate of Excellence. Four of us did not think it was worth the stop. Maybe we were looking for something that is not there. We were lookinig for a resturant in a quaint neighborhood possibly with a view. All we found was mostly small bars (less than 20 allowed seating ), with loud music, serving cheap bar food (hot dogs, pizza etc). Did not see anything that looked like an art community. Yes the houses were colorful and interesting.
Written 9 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There is a lighthouse and a small chapel at the top.
Written 7 July 2019
esta abierto todo de lunes a viernes??
Written 18 September 2017
Is there a way to start at the top and walk down?
Written 16 September 2017
Well, las Peñas is a neighborhood now connected to Pto Santana. You can start from where Pto Santana begins and walk towards las Peñas and you will reach the place where the cannons are. To your right will be the stairs to the top. That is el Cerro. Not las Peñas. So the answer is YES. YOU CAN. 👍🏼if you walk starting at Pto Santana.
Written 24 September 2017
What time do the shops in Las Penas open?
What time do they close?
Written 22 February 2017
Here again, I'm guessing, but if there are people on the street, they will stay open, if nobody is around, they close after dark, about 7:00 or so, could be earlier, could be later, Lots of folks down here don't watch the clock...
Written 24 February 2017
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