Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
1. Cerro Blanco Wildlife Reserve
Nestled in the coastal forest, this reserve offers a chance to spot monkeys, toucans, and sloths. Its unique feature is a cable car ride that provides panoramic views of the forest.
- Diverse Wildlife: Offers a variety of wildlife such as monkeys, toucans, and sloths.
- Cable Car Ride: Includes a cable car ride for scenic views of the forest.
- Coastal Location: Located in the coastal region, providing a unique ecosystem to explore.
2. Machalilla National Park
Known for its beaches and dry tropical forests, this park is home to the endangered Cotopaxi turtle. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling and hiking.
- Endangered Species: Home to the endangered Cotopaxi turtle.
- Beaches and Forests: Offers beaches, forests, and opportunities for snorkeling and hiking.
- Coastal Location: Located on the coast, providing a unique marine ecosystem to explore.
3. Yumbusaquí Reserve
A protected area for capuchin monkeys, this reserve also has trails through mangrove forests. Visitors can observe the monkeys and learn about their conservation.
- Capuchin Monkey Sanctuary: A protected area specifically for capuchin monkeys.
- Mangrove Forest Trails: Offers trails through mangrove forests.
- Monkey Conservation: Provides opportunities to learn about capuchin monkey conservation efforts.
4. Guayasamín Animal Rescue Center
A sanctuary for rescued animals, including monkeys and sloths. Visitors can learn about these creatures and the importance of wildlife conservation.
- Rescued Animals: Home to rescued animals such as monkeys and sloths.
- Conservation Education: Provides education about wildlife conservation.
- Interactive Experience: Offers an interactive experience with rescued animals.
5. Salinas-Los Frailes Wildlife Reserve
A coastal reserve offering hiking trails and opportunities to spot sea turtles, dolphins, and various bird species. Its unique feature is a beautiful white sand beach.
- Sea Turtles and Dolphins: Provides opportunities to spot sea turtles and dolphins.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through the reserve.
- Beautiful Beach: Includes a beautiful white sand beach.
6. El Manglar National Recreation Area
A mangrove forest reserve offering boat tours, birdwatching, and opportunities to spot monkeys. Its unique feature is a floating bridge over the mangroves.
- Mangrove Forest Reserve: A protected area for mangrove forests.
- Boat Tours: Offers boat tours through the mangrove forest.
- Floating Bridge: Includes a floating bridge for exploring the mangroves.
7. Salitre Wildlife Reserve
A coastal reserve offering opportunities to spot sea turtles and various bird species. Its unique feature is a secluded beach for relaxing.
- Sea Turtles: Provides opportunities to spot sea turtles.
- Birdwatching: Offers birdwatching opportunities.
- Secluded Beach: Includes a secluded beach for relaxation.
8. Santa Elena Ecological Reserve
A protected area for the endangered Cotopaxi turtle, offering opportunities for snorkeling and hiking. Its unique feature is a crystal-clear lagoon.
- Endangered Species: Home to the endangered Cotopaxi turtle.
- Snorkeling and Hiking: Offers snorkeling and hiking opportunities.
- Crystal-Clear Lagoon: Includes a crystal-clear lagoon for exploration.
9. Salango Island Wildlife Reserve
An island reserve offering opportunities to spot sea lions, penguins, and various bird species. Its unique feature is a breeding colony of blue-footed boobies.
- Sea Lion and Penguin Sanctuary: A protected area for sea lions and penguins.
- Blue-Footed Booby Breeding Colony: Includes a breeding colony of blue-footed boobies.
- Island Location: Located on an island, providing a unique ecosystem to explore.
10. Guayaquil Zoological Park
A zoo offering a variety of animals, including big cats, primates, and reptiles. Its unique feature is the Amazonian exhibit with piranhas and anacondas.
- Variety of Animals: Offers a variety of animals such as big cats, primates, and reptiles.
- Amazonian Exhibit: Includes an Amazonian exhibit with piranhas and anacondas.
- Educational Programs: Provides educational programs about the animals and their habitats.
11. Punta Carrón National Wildlife Reserve
A coastal reserve offering opportunities to spot sea turtles, dolphins, and various bird species. Its unique feature is a lighthouse with panoramic views.
- Sea Turtles and Dolphins: Provides opportunities to spot sea turtles and dolphins.
- Lighthouse with Panoramic Views: Includes a lighthouse with panoramic views of the coast.
- Birdwatching Opportunities: Offers birdwatching opportunities.
12. Las Tangaras Bird Sanctuary
A sanctuary for various bird species, offering opportunities for birdwatching. Its unique feature is a canopy walkway through the forest.
- Variety of Birds: Offers a variety of birds for birdwatching.
- Canopy Walkway: Includes a canopy walkway through the forest.
- Conservation Education: Provides education about bird conservation.
13. El Oroco Wildlife Reserve
A coastal reserve offering opportunities to spot sea turtles, dolphins, and various bird species. Its unique feature is a freshwater lagoon.
- Sea Turtles and Dolphins: Provides opportunities to spot sea turtles and dolphins.
- Freshwater Lagoon: Includes a freshwater lagoon for exploration.
- Birdwatching Opportunities: Offers birdwatching opportunities.
14. El Secadero Wildlife Reserve
A coastal reserve offering opportunities to spot sea turtles, dolphins, and various bird species. Its unique feature is a network of trails through the forest.
- Sea Turtles and Dolphins: Provides opportunities to spot sea turtles and dolphins.
- Network of Trails: Offers a network of trails through the forest for exploration.
- Birdwatching Opportunities: Provides opportunities for birdwatching.
15. Salinas-San Vicente Wildlife Reserve
A coastal reserve offering hiking trails, opportunities to spot sea turtles and various bird species. Its unique feature is a scenic viewpoint overlooking the ocean.
- Sea Turtles: Provides opportunities to spot sea turtles.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through the reserve.
- Scenic Viewpoint: Includes a scenic viewpoint overlooking the ocean.