Whoever arrives in Puerto Santa Ana, the first thing he receives is a fresh breeze from the Guayas River. Then they are pleased with the greeting and invitation to have a cocktail, a beer or whiskey or to taste the exquisite appetizers or main courses. All nuanced by a beautiful view of the river, of the buildings, especially The Point, with 36 floors and a screw shape, as it is also known.
Puerto Santa Ana is the fifth place that registers the most visits in Guayaquil, with 8.34% of the total tourism, but it is the favorite for those who want to spend pleasant moments with friends. It is one of the favorite places for executives and tourists looking for an exclusive place, it is like the VIP area for tourism, especially in bars and restaurants. For the final of the Copa Libertadores, on October 29, 2022, a full house with tourists is expected.
It is a real estate complex that is located on the back of the Santa Ana hill, surrounded by buildings with offices, commercial premises and apartments. It can be reached on foot from the north of the Malecón Simón Bolívar, along Numa Pompilio Llona street, in the Las Peñas neighborhood, or by car through the access area to the tunnels.
17 year old complex
Its construction is recent, from the beginning of 2005, and in those 17 years it has become one of the main tourist and relaxation destinations in Guayaquil.
Ángel Hidalgo, a historian from Guayaquil, recalls that in the first stage of construction of Puerto Santa Ana, the creation of an architectural complex made up of seven office and apartment buildings was established.
In one of the buildings, in front of the square where Numa Pompilio Llona street ends, are the museums of the most popular football teams in the city, Barcelona and Emelec, with their trophies, their old uniforms, photographs and other relics. There are also the museum and school of the Hall and the museum of the Coffee.
The second stage of the attraction was based on a real estate complex called Ciudad del Río, which includes nine towers. “The sector is distinguished by the wide cobblestone walkways, adorned with trees, gardens, tall buildings like The Point, and a prestigious hotel like the Wyndham,” says Hidalgo.
The Point Building
The Point building, the one in the background, is visible from different areas of the city and surroundings.
The Point building has become the symbol not only of Puerto Santa Ana but also of Guayaquil. It is the tallest in the city, to date, and due to its screw shape it has led more than one person to baptize it with that name. Its structure houses recent companies and others already established in the local, national and international market.
At night, El Tornillo welcomes everyone who enters Guayaquil from afar. It is dressed in colored led lights that make it attractive. It is a very crowded place to be photographed.
On the ground floor there are stores that offer various services to the public, such as a pharmacy, cafeteria and more.
Wyndham Hotel
The hotel has three meeting rooms with a capacity of 400 people and social and corporate events are held.
Located a few steps from the historic Santa Ana hill, a lighthouse and a few minutes from the Malecón 2000, stands the Wyndham hotel building. This accommodation has been made for non-founders and is ideally located close to the many tourist attractions and offices in Guayaquil.
It is in the heart of Puerto Santa Ana and enjoys easy access from the World Trade Center, the Simón Bolívar Convention Center and the José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport. After a day of travel, business or tourism, guests can relax in a pool that is on the terrace; there is also a spa and gym.
Its 175 rooms cost anywhere from $100 to $120 and a little more, depending on the season. As for food, there is a restaurant in the same establishment named Río Grande, which offers tasty Ecuadorian cuisine and international dishes prepared with fresh, organic, field ingredients and a wine list with prices starting at $30. More details at 0939120411.
Varied gastronomy
Puerto Santa Ana is more crowded at weekend nights. There tourists go for fun.
The gastronomic offer in the area is varied and ranges from national food and drinks to Italian, Spanish, Peruvian, Argentine, Arabic, Japanese and Mexican, with the greatest demand. The almost 50 stores have a kind of balcony and windows that provide a panoramic view of the Guayas River, longed for by tourists who come to Guayaquil.
“We have delicious food, one hundred percent handmade food, baked in a wood-fired oven. This is one of the busiest spots in Guayaquil today," says business representative Al Fiume, a specialist in Italian food, who adds that in terms of prices there are dishes from $25 and up, more details at (04) 3069291.
And when it comes to drinks, on the ground floor of the River Front I and II buildings you can find a large number of bars and places for gatherings and gatherings with friends and family, all outdoors. There they offer beers, cocktails and sangria.
Locals that work there
- Cottage
- Camaleón Sabor auténtico
- Frida’s (comida Mexicana & Cantina)
- Mami T
- Al Fiume (cocina Italiana)
- Rincón del Líbano
- La Porteñita
- Canchos (bar restaurant)
- La Vaca Púrpura
- Maestranza By Milas
- Olé
- Paradero Turístico La Casa del Cangrejo
- Sweet & Coffee
- RiquiSim@
- Tratoria La Scarpetta
- Torreón
- Los Silos
- Museo del Café
- Anderson Express
- The Cream Coffe
- Casa de Lili (restaurante)
- Tijuana Mexican Food & Drinks
- Bob Coffee
- Casa Alma
- Tribunal
- Barca
- Juan Valdez Café
- Santo Bar
- Santo Café
- Al Puerto Café & Bistro
- Pisto
- Gaia Lounge Bar
- New York Coffee & Bar
- Sake Sushi Bar
- Las Cañitas de Argentinas
- Restobar
- La Reyatta
- Centenario
- Hi Tea
- Pauline
Sports area
In the mornings some people go along the boardwalk to walk or exercise.
The tourist area of Puerto Santa Ana has also become a kind of goal for walkers, tourists or athletes who walk the entire boardwalk of Buenos Aires, from the southern end, at the Palacio de Cristal, and without having any kind of setback in terms of security, since it is an area protected by police.
¿Where is it?
It is located right between the Guayas River and at the foot or settlement on the north side of Cerro Santa Ana at the end of Numa Pompillo Llona street. A taxi, from the airport or any hotel is only $3 to $4. (I)
