Portoviejo, Ecuador
Region: Manabí
Geographic Coordinates: -1.056100, -80.455300
Temperature Range: 18.0°C to 32.0°C (64°F to 90°F)
Population: 206682
Language: Spanish
Portoviejo is a vibrant city located in the Manabí Province of Ecuador. It is the capital of the province and one of the most important cities on the coast. The city has a rich history that dates back to pre-Columbian times, And it has been an important commercial center for centuries. One of Portoviejo’s main attractions is its beautiful historic center, Which features stunning colonial architecture and colorful streets. Visitors can explore landmarks such as the Cathedral of Portoviejo, Which was built in 1699 and features beautiful stained glass windows and intricate carvings.
Another popular attraction in Portoviejo is La Pila Park, Which is located in the heart of the city. This park offers a peaceful retreat from urban life and features lush greenery, Fountains, Walking paths, And benches for visitors to relax on. For those interested in learning about local culture and history, There are several museums worth visiting in Portoviejo. The Museum of Manabí showcases artifacts from pre-Columbian times to modern day while also highlighting local traditions such as weaving. Foodies will love exploring Portoviejo’s culinary scene.
The city is known for its delicious seafood dishes made with fresh ingredients sourced from nearby fishing villages. Local specialties include ceviche (marinated raw fish), Churrasco (grilled beef), Encebollado (a soup made with fish), Among others. In addition to its cultural offerings, Portoviejo serves as a hub for commerce within Ecuador’s coastal region due to its central location making it an ideal spot for businesses looking to establish themselves on Ecuador’s Pacific coast or expand their operations within South America.
Overall, Whether you’re interested in history or just want to enjoy some delicious food by the beach while enjoying warm weather year-round – there are plenty reasons why you should visit this charming city!
- La Catedral de Portoviejo (Portoviejo Cathedral)
- Parque Eloy Alfaro (Eloy Alfaro Park)
- Museo de Artes y Tradiciones Populares (Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions)
- Plaza Sucre (Sucre Square)
- Iglesia San Francisco (San Francisco Church)
- Parque Central Simon Bolivar (Simon Bolivar Central Park)
- Malecon de Portoviejo (Portoviejo Boardwalk)
- Mercado Municipal de Portoviejo (Portoviejo Municipal Market)
- Casa De La Cultura Ecuatoriana Benjamín Carrión Núcleo Manabí
- Rio Chone
- Agriculture (especially rice, coffee, cocoa, and bananas)
- Fishing and seafood processing
- Textiles and clothing manufacturing
- Construction materials production (such as bricks and tiles)
- Retail trade and services (including banking, healthcare, education)
- Tourism (due to its proximity to beaches like Crucita)
- Transportation
- Pre-Columbian Era: The region where Portoviejo is located was once inhabited by indigenous groups like the Manteño and Chonos.
- Spanish Conquest: In 1535, Francisco Pizarro established San Francisco de Quito, which included present-day Portoviejo.
- Independence Movement: During the early 1800s, Ecuador fought for independence from Spain, and in 1820 Portoviejo declared itself a free province.
- Earthquake of 1906: A devastating earthquake hit Portoviejo in January 1906, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.
- Poet Medardo Ángel Silva: Born in Portoviejo in 1898, Medardo Ángel Silva was a prominent poet who wrote about love and death before tragically committing suicide at age 23.
- President Eloy Alfaro: Eloy Alfaro served as president of Ecuador twice (from 1895-1901 and again from 1906-1911). He played a key role in modernizing the country’s infrastructure and promoting secularism.
- Baseball player Richard Hidalgo: Richard Hidalgo is a former Major League Baseball player who hails from Portoviejo. He played for teams such as the Houston Astros and New York Mets during his career.
- Musician Julio Jaramillo: Julio Jaramillo was a renowned singer-songwriter who popularized traditional Ecuadorian music genres such as pasillo and bolero during the mid-20th century.
- Modernization Projects: In recent years, Portoviejo has undergone significant development projects aimed at improving its infrastructure including new roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, sports facilities, etc.
- Museo Portoviejo: This museum showcases the history and culture of the Manabí province, including pre-Columbian artifacts, colonial art, and contemporary works.
- Parque Eloy Alfaro: This park is dedicated to Eloy Alfaro, a prominent Ecuadorian politician and revolutionary leader. It features a statue of Alfaro and beautiful gardens.
- Monumento a la Madre: This monument is dedicated to all mothers in Ecuador and features a large statue of a mother holding her child.
- Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Benjamín Carrión Núcleo de Manabí: This cultural center hosts exhibitions, concerts, theater performances, and other events showcasing local artists.
- Iglesia San Francisco de Asís: This historic church was built in the 16th century by Spanish colonizers and features beautiful Baroque architecture.
- Mercado Central de Portoviejo: This bustling market offers fresh produce, local crafts, clothing, and other goods at affordable prices.
- Parque La Rotonda: This park features a monument honoring Simón Bolívar (a South American independence hero) as well as several fountains and green spaces for relaxing or picnicking.
- Malecón Escenario Ciudadano: This waterfront promenade offers stunning views of the ocean as well as outdoor art installations by local artists.
- Centro Comercial Paseo Shopping Portoviejo: For those looking to shop or catch a movie while in town this mall has everything from clothing stores to restaurants.
- Puerto Deportivo de Crucitas – For those looking for adventure sports such as paddle boarding or kayaking this port is perfect!
- Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Portoviejo (LDUP) – This football club was founded in 1969 and has since become one of the most popular teams in Portoviejo. LDUP has won several championships over the years, including the Segunda Categoria title in 1975 and the Copa Ecuador championship in 2019.
- Club Deportivo Manta – This football club was founded in 2006 and is based in Manta, a nearby city to Portoviejo. However, it represents Manabí province as a whole and has many fans from Portoviejo. The team has had some success over the years, including winning promotion to Serie A for the first time ever in 2011.
- Club Sport Emelec (Portoviejo) – Emelec is one of Ecuador’s most successful football clubs, with its main base being Guayaquil. However, there is also a branch of Emelec located in Portoviejo that competes at lower levels of competition.
- Vikingos Rugby Club – Founded back in 2012, Vikingos Rugby Club is one of only two rugby clubs within Manabí province (the other being Los Pirañas). The team regularly competes against other rugby clubs throughout Ecuador.
- Academia Cantolao FC – This football club was originally established as an academy for young players before eventually expanding into a professional team known as Academia Cantolao FC-Ecuador Divisional Intermedia B . Although not based directly within Portoviejo itself, it does have fans from throughout Manabí province who support their efforts on the pitch.
- Fiesta de San Pedro y San Pablo is celebrated on June 29th and includes a procession, live music, dancing, fireworks, and traditional food.
- Carnaval de Portoviejo takes place in February or March and features parades with colorful floats, music, dance performances, and street vendors selling food and drinks.
- Festival Nacional del Pasillo celebrates the traditional Ecuadorian genre of pasillo with concerts featuring local musicians as well as national and international performers.
- Feria Agropecuaria y Artesanal takes place in August or September and showcases the region’s livestock, crops, crafts, and culinary traditions.
- Semana Santa is observed with religious processions through the streets of Portoviejo culminating in a solemn Good Friday procession.
- Fiestas de la Virgen del Carmen is celebrated on July 16th in honor of the patron saint of Portoviejo with a parade featuring dancers dressed in colorful costumes representing different regions of Ecuador.
- Festival Internacional de Teatro y Danza Contemporánea Ciudad de Portoviejo is an annual international theater and contemporary dance festival held in November showcasing local talent as well as performers from around the world.
- Ceviche – a seafood dish made with raw fish marinated in lemon juice, onions, and spices.
- Churrasco – grilled steak served with rice, beans, and plantains.
- Arroz con menestra y carne asada – rice with stewed beans and grilled beef.
- Encebollado – a soup made with fish, onions, yuca (cassava), cilantro, and spices.
- El Patacón – a restaurant that serves traditional Ecuadorian dishes such as ceviche, churrasco, and encebollado.
- La Casa del Abuelo – a family-owned restaurant that serves local dishes like arroz con menestra y carne asada.
- Mariscos la Ría – a seafood restaurant that specializes in ceviche and other seafood dishes.
- El Gran Sabor de Manabí – a popular spot for traditional Ecuadorian food like seco de chivo (stewed goat) or arroz con menestra (rice with stewed beans).
- Parque Eloy Alfaro
- Parque La Rotonda
- Parque Central de Portoviejo
- Malecón de Portoviejo (boardwalk)
- Complejo Deportivo Los Chirijos (sports complex)
- Complejo Recreacional Las Vegas (recreational complex)
- Piscina Olímpica de Portoviejo (Olympic swimming pool)
- Club Social y Deportivo Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Portoviejo (sports club)
- Centro Recreacional La Hacienda (recreational center)
- Polideportivo Municipal Reales Tamarindos
Overall, these sports teams have played important roles within their respective communities by providing opportunities for competition and entertainment while also promoting local pride and identity.
