The BAP Unión, a training ship of the Peruvian Navy, will remain open to the public during its stop in Guayaquil, Ecuador, after arriving as the last international port of call on its instruction voyage before returning to Peru.
Entry is free, and visitors can tour part of the sailing ship for about an hour.
How to get in
Those wishing to visit must bring their identity card and go directly to the entrance of the Contecon Guayaquil S.A. terminal, located on Avenida de la Marina in the Puerto Marítimo area. Organizers said the public must report to that entrance because private access to the dock where the ship is berthed is restricted.
Buses will run every 15 minutes from a traffic circle known locally as the óvalo, carrying visitors into the terminal and to the dock. Once the tour ends, the same buses will return visitors to the entry point.
Visiting hours
The ship will be open to the public on Saturday, September 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and on Sunday, September 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Peruvian delegation is considering extending public visits to Monday, though that possibility has not yet been confirmed.
What visitors can see on board
The tour moves continuously through the ship's enabled areas. Visitors can see the point from which the vessel is steered, learn about elements related to guiding the ship, and receive explanations of how the sailing ship operates and what its crew does during navigation.
The BAP Unión measures 115.7 meters in length and 13.5 meters in beam. It is currently carrying 241 people, including 23 officers and 78 cadets. The cadets complete part of their training aboard through subjects such as astronomical navigation, naval communications, and preparation for service.
Casa Perú
The final stop on the tour is Casa Perú, a space set up inside the ship to showcase Peruvian cultural expressions, products, cuisine and tourist destinations.
