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Travellers at the door of a historic painted house on a street in Las Peñas

Guayaquil, your way

Art at Casa Marín, Las Peñas

Step inside a historic house in Las Peñas with the artist who lives and paints there: a short house visit, a watercolour lesson, an afternoon of paint and sip, or a photography walk through the old hill. Pick one, or mix them.

The story

Guayaquil through an artist’s door

Allyson created these art experiences with the painter Maite Marín Azar at Casa Marín, her historic house on Numa Pompilio Llona street, first for the passengers of an international cruise. They are made in modules, so a group can fit art into a short port call or give it a whole afternoon.

  1. 15 minutes

    A door on Numa Pompilio Llona

    The street that winds along the foot of Las Peñas is lined with old wooden houses, and one of them opens for you. The resident artist shows you around her home and studio, the light, the paintings, the stories of the house, and sends you off with a handmade souvenir and a cool drink. Short, personal and unhurried.

    An artist showing travellers paintings inside a historic house in Las Peñas
  2. 30 minutes

    Your own watercolour

    A micro-workshop at the big table: brushes, paper, a palette, and the artist showing you how to catch the colours of Las Peñas in a few loose strokes. Nobody needs to know how to paint. You leave with a small watercolour that will mean more to you than any postcard from the port.

    Travellers painting small watercolours of Las Peñas at a table
  3. 3 hours

    Paint and sip

    For groups that want an afternoon of it: canvases on easels, the artist guiding each step, drinks and snacks going around and the river light changing outside. Up to 30 people paint side by side and every canvas comes out different, which is half the fun when you line them up at the end.

    A group painting canvases with drinks during a paint and sip session
  4. 4 hours

    Las Peñas through a lens

    A photography walk through Las Peñas with a local photographer, up the numbered stairs, into the alleys and out onto the viewpoints over the Guayas. You learn where the light falls at each hour and how to frame the stairs, the doors and the river. Up to 20 people, cameras or phones, and every level welcome.

    The numbered stairs and painted houses of Las Peñas

Your day

Where the bird takes you

  1. Casa Marín, Numa Pompilio Llona streetA historic house in Las Peñas
  2. House visit with the artistAbout 15 minutes, souvenir and refreshment
  3. Watercolour micro-workshop30 minutes
  4. Paint and sip3 hours, up to 30 people
  5. Las Peñas photography walk4 hours with a local photographer, up to 20 people
artcultureUp to 3 hours

What’s taken care of

  • A local artist or photographer
  • All art materials
  • Handmade souvenir and refreshment on the house visit
  • Drinks and snacks during the paint and sip

Good to know

  • By prior reservation only: tell us your group size and how much time you have
  • Built for cruise groups, and it works for families and friends too
  • Combine a module with a city tour or the cruise day
  • Las Peñas has steps; the house visit and workshops are seated

About prices

Every experience is shaped around your group, so we talk first and then send you a proposal made for you. No fixed packages.

Real reviews

Travellers with Allyson

Quoted as written, from the platforms where they were left.

What a wonderful tour! Allyson was a pleasure and so knowledgeable about the food, culture, and history of beautiful Guayaquil! I requested a custom tour that was food-centric and Allyson was quick to accommodate. We visited a local food market, Mercado de sauces, (unbelievable ceviche!), did a chocolate tasting with Artist/artisan chocolatier Patricia Leon (incredible, unique experience!), and toured the parks and river walk of Guayaquil. I highly recommend Allyson and cannot wait to return to Ecuador!

Mark F. · United States

ToursByLocalsVerified on toursbylocals.com ↗
On time pick up from our hotel. Tour around the highlights of the city. Guide was very knowledgeable and personable but the city itself is just not that scenic.

Trevor R. · United States

ToursByLocalsVerified on toursbylocals.com ↗
Wir hatten einen sehr schönen Tag mit Allyson. Bereits im Vorfeld war Allyson sehr kommunikativ und der Ausflug selbst war bestens organisiert. Vielen Dank Allyson gerne wieder.

Klaus W. · Germany

ToursByLocalsVerified on toursbylocals.com ↗
This was a great day! I was the only one on the tour and my guide Alison, and her friend Mikela, did a superb job. For the dry forest we visited the Cerro Blanco private reserve where Alison had engaged a wonderful local guide who's knowledge of all things was exceptional. Later a visit to various parts of Guayaquil gave me a good incite into this city's "vibe". A truly enjoyable day with two charming and knowledgeable young ladies. Highly recommended!

Roger · Australia

GetYourGuideVerified booking on getyourguide.com ↗
Alyson is an excellent guide. Her English is top notch & knowledge of the city & the country’s history is masterful. In addition she is a very nice person that we enjoyed interacting with.

Stephen E. · United States

ToursByLocalsVerified on toursbylocals.com ↗
We really enjoyed the food and city walk tour presented by Allyson. Her passion for the local product is first class. The market experience was genuine as this is the market where she normally shops. We would highly recommend this tour.

David S. · United States

ToursByLocalsVerified on toursbylocals.com ↗
What a fabulous day! Allyson was a terrific guide. She listened to our requests and made sure we were safe and well taken care of all day. The mercado experience was truly amazing. We got a great snap shot of Quayaquil and excellent food. Thanks again for a wonderful day!

Kathleen R. · United States

ToursByLocalsVerified on toursbylocals.com ↗
Allyson was a wonderful guide who showed us the highlights of her lovely city. She surprised us by taking us to a cocoa shop where we got to pick up some Ecuadorian chocolate. We enjoyed our morning with Allyson and highly recommend her.

439MarkN2017 · Los Angeles, California

TripadvisorReview on tripadvisor.com ↗
61 reviews across ToursByLocals, Tripadvisor, Google Maps, Viator and GetYourGuide.Open the five passports →

Mix and match

Pairs beautifully with

About 5 hours, timed to your ship
Easy days & servicesGuayaquil from the ship: a private shore dayYour ship docks in Guayaquil; a local friend meets you at the port, shows you the iguanas, the river and the painted stairs of Las Peñas, adds an art stop at Casa Marín if you like, and has you back long before all aboard.
3.5 to 4 hours, or 6 with the chocolate tasting
Guayaquil, your wayGuayaquil Top Places, with a local friendIguanas under the cathedral, the river at the Malecón and the 444 steps of Las Peñas: the city’s story in one easy morning, with a private car waiting at the bottom of the hill. Stay longer and end with a private chocolate tasting.
4 to 5 hours
Guayaquil, your wayGuayaquil by the mouthful: Sauces 9 market and city flavoursBreakfast the way Guayaquil eats it, in a neighbourhood market: fruit, bolón de verde, ceviche or encebollado and a stall of Andean healing herbs. Then coffee with the iguanas, chocolate on Calle Panamá and lunch by the river.

A combination

A cruise day, perfectly done

Off the ship and straight into the city's best corners, a taste of the market, and an art stop in Las Peñas, back on board with time to spare.

  1. Guayaquil from the ship: a private shore day
  2. Guayaquil by the mouthful: Sauces 9 market and city flavours
  3. Art at Casa Marín, Las Peñas

Shall we plan it?

Tell Allyson your dates and who’s coming. She replies personally, usually the same day, with ideas and questions; the proposal comes after.

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