2 Best Sights in Guayaquil and the Pacific Coast, Ecuador

The twin-spired cathedral, which looms over the western edge of Parque Seminario, is actually one of the city's newest houses of worship. Construction began on the neo-Gothic structure in 1937 and was completed in 1950. Vendors selling hand-carved rosaries and other items crowd the sidewalks outside.

Guayaquil's oldest church was founded by the Franciscans in 1548. Near the historic Las Peñas neighborhood, the simple colonial structure was rebuilt after it was destroyed by pirate attacks. Locals also refer to it as the Iglesia de San Vicente.