Miami to Lima (Callao)

Guayaquil, (gwä-yä-kêl´) city (1990 pop. 1,531,229), capital of Guayas prov., W Ecuador, on the Guayas R. near its mouth on the Gulf of Guayaquil, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean. It is Ecuador’s largest city and its chief port and manufacturing center. Founded by Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1535, it was liberated from Spain by Antonio José de Sucre in 1821, and in 1822 was the site of a meeting between Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín that determined the course of South American independence. The climate is hot and humid.

Lima is on the Pacific coast and was founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro of Spain. It was considered the most important Spanish city in the Americas. Today the downtown area is a bustle of activity, the streets crowded with vendors and peasants who have moved in from the countryside. Lima has many treasures in its historical buildings and museums, especially the Gold Museum.

Home to fabulous Mayan ruins, Santo Tomas de Castilla conceal the mysteries of the lost world. Walk the stone pathway at the Quirigua National Park past intricately carved stellae and zoomorphisms. Explore Tikal, where an enigmatic jungle plaza is flanked by 7 great stone temples. Or venture into Honduras to explore the ruins at Copan, often called the “Paris of the Mayan World” because of its artistic flair.