Santa Ana Hill rises above the northern end of the Malecón and provides the best views over Guayaquil and the Guayas River. A path of 444 steps climbs from the Barrio Las Peñas at the foot of the hill to a lighthouse and a small chapel at the top, passing painted murals, small plazas, and lookout points along the way. The climb takes about 15 minutes at a moderate pace.
The views from the top take in the river bends, the bridge to Durán, the flat spread of the city, and on clear days the distant outline of the Andes. The lighthouse at the summit is still operational. The neighbourhood at the foot of the hill, Barrio Las Peñas, is a pleasant place to recover from the climb with a coffee or a cold drink.