Location: Portoviejo
Top Things to do in Portoviejo
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Top 10 Things to do in Portoviejo, Ecuador
Portoviejo (Spanish pronunciation: [poɾtoˈβjexo], locally [poɾtoˈβjeho]) is a city in Ecuador, and the capital the Province of Manabí 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the Pacific coast. (Population: about 250,000). Also known as the city of the "Royal Tamarind Trees" for the beautiful trees found in the area. Portoviejo is the main political and economical centre of the Portoviejo River valley, which also includes the cantons of Santa Ana and Rocafuerte, where about 110 square kilometres (42 square miles) are cultivated every year. The valley is rich in the production of tomatoes, onions, peppers, bananas, mangoes and other tropical fruits. The city, which was affected by economic crisis in the eighties and nineties, is now recovering but severe budget limitations and a huge unemployment rate present difficulties for local authorities. Portoviejo is a large commercial center for the province, where there are two shopping malls, one with a large hypermarket, 8 movie theaters, food court, and other stores. There is a large flea market in downtown. Locals are very friendly and very well educated. The city is home of the cancer treatment hospital "Dr Julio Villacreses Colmont" serving the provinces of Manabí and Esmeraldas. Portoviejo is the perfect place to enjoy traditional Manabí cuisine, of great fame in Ecuador, usually at countryside restaurants located on the side of the Portoviejo-Crucita roadway. The local airport is used for domestic flights.
Restaurants in Portoviejo
1. Museo Ciudad Alfaro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By Dan L - Bunbury, Australia
Great Museum, lovely garden area, shops, old train engine and carriage and great views over the city and coastline. Behind all of this, the steep Montecristi hill, 610 meters high, nestled in the dry tropical forest.
The museum is the main attraction, simple, well laid out, featuring exhibits of early Ecuadorian life, and also pays homage to the greatest national historical hero, General Eloy Alfaro Delgado. There was a live demonstration showing how Panama hats are made; tedious work with amazing skill levels required. If the demonstration whets your appetite to purchase a hat, the shops will accommodate, offering hats in a variety of quality and price.
2. Ecuador Ceibos Tour
Overall Ratings
5 based on 19 reviews
We organize tours all around Ecuador for national and international tourist .
Reviewed By Jamie S
Guide Christian was very friendly and fun. My daughter loved the whales and gorgeous beach afterwards. The transportation was clean and comfortable. The restaurant on the beach was chillin. I wish horseback riding tours were available.Thank you for your comment and we will work on having horseback riding tours available, it was a great tour!! hope you come back soon
3. La Trova Bar Gourmet
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By elenita_valle - Buenos Aires, Argentina
el ambiente es muy bueno para pasarla con amigos, tienen una cerveza artesanal riquisisma y unas costillas iguales de grandes como la de los picapierdras
4. Jardin Botanico de Portoviejo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Robert F - Lake Worth, United States
Visited with friends and 3 generations of their family. The park has a maze, small turtle pond, playground with swings and monkey bars, as well as a small garden center and snack bar. Several of the plants and trees were labelled for those of us not familiar with local flora. Plenty of shade for a respite from the hot weather in Portoviejo. A simple and fun way to spend a few hours with family and friends of all ages, and popular with picnickers too. Free admission and parking. Only gripe is garden center has limited hours, and it was closed when we visited.
5. Parque Forestal
Overall Ratings
4 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By marcopolo111 - Cleveland, Oh
This is a modest park for local families, which has many benches and picnic table, a laguna where you can rent cheap boats and a a few limited food vendors. Unless you leave close by, I wound't bother.
6. Catedral Metropolitana de Portoviejo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
7. Parque Central Vicente Amador Flor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Silviaeliza C - Guayaquil, Ecuador
Manabi is one of the largest provinces of our country and currently one of the most visited by different tourists because of the earthquake that struck the country, this province offers its visitors one of the best gastronomy and various typical dishes that are made by the Hands of its habitants as the tongas, corn tortillas. It is also recognized by the sale of typical sweets of various flavors and sizes, but not only is the food what they also love are its Beaches by this Located in The route of the spondylus in these apart from the fishing you can practice several sports and in the night to be able to have fun in several discos of the locality. The price to know the province ranges from $ 3.50 in which you can choose several land routes.
8. Estadio Reales Tamarindos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By vhvm3101 - Portoviejo, Ecuador
Es un lugar como para los que les gusta el futbol, es un estadio normal no tiene mucho para mirar pero si gustan ir es gratis la entrada solo en las mananas.
9. Futbol Aventura
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Manager_R1 - Ecuador
Era el sitio ideal para jugar fútbol, ver transmisiones de deportes, para comer o simplemente para tomar algo! Pero ahora parece un pueblo fantasma, no se si sea por algo cultural de la ciudad o por el servicio dado... Espero mejoren!
10. Portoviejo Flea Market
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Sonia L - Guayaquil, Ecuador
Manabí is my hometown; it has so many beautiful places to know like Manta, Montecristi, and Portoviejo etc. In Montecristi you can know the National Assembly of Ecuador.
There are many Mountains with amazing Waterfalls and rivers. Where you can find different animal species of birds like parrots
For me it is the place where I find the best Ecuadorian food like the chicken soup creole, Seco de pollo with avocado or manaba cheese with ripe roast there are just some of the typical dishes of this place.
There are a great diversity of fruits that you can enjoy depending on the season, for example I love going when there are mangoes this is one of my favorite fruits and the most delicious that I can find are there.
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