Ecuador travel
Tourist attractions in Ecuador
Explore the tourist attractions of Ecuador.
Sanctuary of the Swan
The construction of the temple was in charge of the priest Ricardo Fernández, its ogival style was planned, with a gothic style and light blue, the excavation of the place and the construction of the bases. The temple is imposing in itself and its location on the top of a steep mountain and surrounded by modest traditional buildings gives it greater grandeur. Inside, an image of the Virgin Mary carved in cedar is venerated at the end of the 16th century by Don Diego de Robles. Its devotees exceed 5 million faithful a year, who gather in a procession that begins from the temple to the city of Loja where it ends with a Eucharistic celebration in the central cathedral of the city. All of Loja dedicates six months a year to pilgrimages, masses and festivals with music in honor of the Virgen del Cisne or better known as La Churonita. The pilgrimages begin on the first of May, for the month of Mary, with the session of the extended council of Loja in the Sanctuary. Mass schedule Monday to Friday: 06:00, 11:00 and 19:00. Saturday: 6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sundays: 6:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
435.29 Km.
Malecon of Zamora
The Zamora boardwalk provides accessibility to all its inhabitants, it has optimal facilities for people with special abilities. This is where you can spend some time relaxing with your family watching the river that is next to it. You can be with your children enjoying the recreation area that is located right here in order to generate many memories on the Zamora boardwalk. Location Located on the banks of the Zamora River and is part of the urban perimeter
435.52 Km.
Tzanka ecological shelter
The TZANKA ecological refuge constitutes a shelter center for species, both animal and plant, in which, with its guided tours, information is provided on the great variety of flora and fauna existing in the Amazon, thus helping to preserve of the same through environmental education, in addition it tries to revalue the ethnic groups that are settled in the area. This allows us to know the roots and the great ethnological variety found in the province of Zamora Chinchipe. This generates knowledge that covers a number of important issues for tourists, which results in their satisfaction and therefore the region's tourism development. Tzanka has its facilities with defined areas. Green Area: All the land where the animals are, have trails, orchids, fish tanks, trees, etc. Recreational Areas: Waterfall, billiards, pin-pon, chess, etc. Research Area: There are books, brochures, magazines, photos, etc. that can be facilitated for research in addition to the flora and fauna of the place. Location Ecological Tzanka The refuge is located in the center of the city of Zamora, on José Luis Tamayo street, in front of the San Francisco school.Finally, the owner invited the Zamoranos to be part of a route and learn about the origin of each of the animals. Entry Cost: $2 Adults $1 kids
435.84 Km.
Botanical Garden of Loja
Interest : Nature Type : Botanic Garden Friendly to: children, families, seniors Relevant categories : Natural National Heritage - Municipal protected area Hours : Monday to Friday 07:30 - 12:30, 15:00 - 18:00. Saturdays and Sundays 13:00 - 18:00 The oldest botanical garden in Ecuador is in Loja. It is part of the campus of the National University of Loja. In an area of 7 hectares grow 1,385 species of native and exotic plants. It was founded in 1949 by the scientist and botanist Reinaldo Espinosa. It is located at the convergence of warm humid air currents from the Amazon and warm dry air currents from the Pacific. This privileged position produces a unique floral diversity in the province of Loja, which also gives shelter to related fauna. The distribution of the vegetation does not obey any order. A biological laboratory like no other in Ecuador. All the plants that develop in the Garden give origin to a mountainous microclimate, a refuge for birds such as sparrows, blackbirds, lapos, bakers and hummingbirds. Amphibious insects and reptiles are part of the fauna of the place. The trees provide shade for orchids and bromeliads, which give color and are a complement to the landscape. Some names of endemic flora are the Pumamaqui, Casa casa, Cascarilla and Payamo. Introduced species are the Ash, Olive, Gingo, Chestnut, Oak and Redwood. Strict rules for entering the Botanical Garden must be followed to preserve it. Pay the fixed entry fee. Pets are prohibited. The walk is exclusive on trails. No plant material may be taken out. Proper disposal of waste. Smoking is prohibited. It is located 5 km from Loja via Vilcabamba, at 2140 meters above sea level. Annual rainfall 900 mm. Average temperature 15.3°C. Relative humidity 60%. Dry low mountain forest. Registered with the International Organization for the Conservation of Botanical Gardens (BGCI). Source: Fundación Municipal Turismo para Cuenca
436.61 Km.
La poderosa Waterfall
This natural setting is located in the Podocarpus National Park. Well known by tourists who come to it daily to cool off, and because it is a protected area it has a great variety of flora and fauna causing a tourist delight for locals and strangers. Its height with respect to sea level is 1047 meters above sea level. In this waterfall, the tourist with skill and care, can bathe in its refreshing waters or white as foam from the stones that burst the cause and appease it in perhaps 10 meters in length, and four or five in width. In the water you can easily see the tilapias and their young, and with a little more luck the “torrontero duck”, in its spectacular swim against the current. Location The La Poderosa Waterfall is located at a distance of approximately 7 km from the city of Zamora. The mighty waterfall is located within the Poducarpus National Park. Activities: Observation and photography: The warm environment welcomes the walker, while observing the biodiversity. Between ascents and descents, singular details are discovered along the path, such as the nests of the momota birds (holes drilled in the slopes) or hundreds of orchid plants that cover the giant romerillo trees like a scarf.
442.82 Km.
The Trail of the Spectacled Bear
The spectacled bear is known by several names. Andean bear, South American bear, spectacled bear or by the native words ucumari and jukumari. An ancient aboriginal legend tells that they originated from a race of strong men who one day went into the jungle. The relationship is due to the fact that the people of the mountain range consider them similar to men. The main characteristic of this Andean mammal is the white-haired spots on its eyes, nose and chest, which resemble glasses. Hence its name. It is the only bear in South America. It lives in the Andes Mountains, from Venezuela to Argentina. In Ecuador, a protected and megadiverse habitat, where the spectacled bear can be observed, is the Podocarpus National Park, 15 kilometers south of the city of Loja on the road to Vilcabamba, where a control post is located. To reach the Cajanuma Refuge and Interpretation Center, take a third order road from the Park's Administrative Center. It is 8.5 km. Here is the access point to the "Spectacled Bear Trail". It is a footpath with self-guides and interpretive signs of the flora of the cloud forest and the bush paramo. In a small and easy route of 560 meters, the visitor ascends from 2,689 to 2,720 meters above sea level. Species of Andean birds and mammals can be observed, and with luck a bear. From Cajanuma, the trail to the Compadre Lagoons also starts. The Podocarpus National Park is named after its emblematic tree. In 2007 it received a special designation from UNESCO, the Podocarpus-El Cóndor Biosphere Reserve, which integrates the Yacurí National Park and the Cerro Plateado Biological Reserve. Podocarpus has 4,000 species of plants, with some varieties of romerillo and the cascarilla or cinchona tree (Ecuador's national tree), orchids, 622 species of birds, such as wild turkeys, cocks of the rock, parrots, hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers and birds of prey, 40 species of mammals such as the dwarf deer, puma, deer and wolves of the moor. There are important populations of spectacled bears, spider monkeys and tapirs. Countless amphibians and reptiles. The natural scenery of the Podocarpus is made up of crystalline rivers, waterfalls, canyons and approximately 100 lakes. It began to receive visitors in 1980.
444.67 Km.
Compadre Lagoons
Las Lagunas del Compadre is a lacustrine system formed by more than 136 lagoons which are located in the Sabanilla knot at more than 3 thousand meters above sea level. What should you know? If you are preparing an expedition you must choose a suitable date, tradition dictates that November is the best season, because you can take advantage of the summer of San Martín, known as the summer of the Indian or summer of San Juan. Physical preparation is very important because the walk can last between 6 and 10 hours. You must use a mountaineering backpack, designed to support the weight within the trek A mountain tent, if you doubt its permeability, it is better that you take a plastic. A sleeping bag for conditions and extreme cold, a first aid kit and knee pads to prevent joint problems. Energy foods, waterproof clothing and rubber boots known as boots 7 lives are recommended. Location They are located within the Podocarpus National Park between the border of the province of Loja and the province of Zamora Chinchipe, 14 km from the Cajanuma refuge, so their access requires great physical effort.
448.95 Km.
Puyango Petrified Forest
The Petrified Forest of Puyango, Natural Reserve located next to the Puyango River, which divides the provinces of El Oro and Loja. It is located 111 km from Machala and 225 km from Loja. It has an area of 2,659 hectares. Its main paleontological heritage is made up of fossilized tree trunks that are approximately 100 million years old. It is the largest collection of petrified wood in the world. The largest specimen is 2 m in diameter and 15 m long. Puyango also stands out because it conserves a great biodiversity and the dry forest grows on its fossil quarry. There are more than 130 species of birds to be seen. The area was an ancient ocean that dried up to be populated by forests and animals, which were later buried by geological movements. The organic matter imprisoned there was transformed into stone. Fossil deposits were formed with the emergence of the Andes. It is Cultural Patrimony of Ecuador since January 9, 1987. Site discovered and studied between 1975 and 1976 by the paleobotanist Dr. Robert E. Shoemaker. The scientist estimates that finding so many petrified specimens in such a compact area makes it one of the most important collections in the world. The care of the area since 2016 is in the hands of the prefectures of Loja and El Oro and the municipalities of Puyango and Las Lajas, through the Public Consortium for the Administration of the Puyango Petrified Forest. Its objective: to conserve and protect, while promoting various tourism such as family, scientific, archaeological and nature. In the vicinity of the Forest, Yamana parish, was found in December 2019, the first Ecuadorian dinosuarium. A dwarf titanosaurus that was given the scientific name Yamanasuarus.
450.55 Km.
Shaime Community
The community of Shaime, Zurmi parish, is located in the heart of the Alto Nagaritza, the only navigable river in the south east of Ecuador. A friendly town to learn about the customs and traditions of the Shuar ethnic group. Taking advantage of the accelerated development of community tourism in the province of Zamora Chinchipe, the Shuar population of Shaime periodically organizes the commercialization of traditional and typical products such as: ayampaco or fish wrapped, Creole chicken or corroncho broth, papaya, bananas and yucca, in the adequate platform of the Agricultural, Handicraft and Gastronomy Fair. The locals sell bracelets, ornaments and ceramic objects that are part of their ceremonial clothing. Shamanic cleanings and traditional dances are also activities for tourists. More adventurous visitors can find out about the ayahuasca culture, which has strong social implications in this community. Healers or shamans use the sacred drink of the Shuar world so that consumers forget their sorrows and recover their mental health. The inhabitants of the Shaime community are strongly linked to ayahuasca, a drink they consider part of their identity. So much so that when the aborigines migrate to urban centres they do not forget this essential ingredient of their customs. For lodging, the option is to camp, but reaching a previous agreement with the families of the community. Shaime also has modest grocery stores where you can buy the basics for preparing food yourself. Shaime is the base of operations to access the tourist attractions of the Nangartiza River. The main attraction is the navigation in the motorboat along the watercourse. But there is also "The route of the tepuis", a walk around these plateaus full of biodiversity and beautiful landscapes at the top of the Condor Mountain Range, the excursion to the Tayos Cave, the visit to the settlers of Nuevo Paraiso, the visit to the Labyrinth of a Thousand Illusions or the lost city, a tour of the indigenous communities of Kusunts, Napints and Chumpias among others. Alto Nangaritza is one of the last extensions of undisturbed native forests in the southeastern end of Zamora Chinchipe. It borders Peru. It is characterized by being one of the areas with the highest biodiversity in the world or "hot spot". It has areas that are forest heritage of Ecuador. A jungle adventure that connects diverse cultural, gastronomic and nature experiences.
460.93 Km.
Band Waterfall
The La Banda waterfall, where its natural falls of crystal clear water on large rocks, delight locals and strangers. In its lower part, the formation of small lagoons allows the recreation of bathers. On one side, the presence of sulfurous waters coming from the bowels of the Colambo colossus serve to cure various ills, especially of the skin. This waterfall has several tourist attractions of tourist attraction, it is not necessary to leave the cantonal area to enjoy the landscape sites, go through its mountains and descend towards the warm forests. In addition, on the banks of the river there are places to camp and take walks and in the same way there are viewpoints to rest contemplating the landscape and at the same time take pictures. Location La Banda is located one kilometer from the city of Gonzanamá, it is accessed through a third-order road, specifically on the road that leads to its neighborhood.
461.97 Km.
Cerro Mandango in Vilcabamba
It is one of the most visited places by foreigners, its impressive shape that the citizens of the sector manifest, as the shape of an Inca face. The Incas believed that the world was built many years ago by a race of giants that inhabited the earth and that these mythological beings modeled the earth as they pleased, decorating it with animals, rivers and everything that resides on it. When the giants finished their work, tired from the effort made, they became mountains to rest eternally and privilegedly observe their work. This is why, every time the Incas found a mountain with an anthropomorphic shape, they honored it as a god. Location 10 minutes from the Vilcabamba terminal is the entrance to the Hill, the ascent is intermediate difficulty, in fact older adults and children do it, but be careful, remember that Vilcabamba has a warm climate.
462.24 Km.
Catholic Sanctuary of the Lord of Good Success
The image was carved by Diego de Robles in the 16th century and brought to the land of the "Gonzanamaes" by the Dominican Fathers. The celebration of the "Feast of the Lord" begins on August 18 with the traditional "descent of the Lord" from his throne located on the main altar, to a special place from where he presides over the multiplicity of religious activities prepared in his honor. On August 19, eve is celebrated with the massive turnout of the priostes, this celebration is enlivened at night, with the burning of castles, fireworks and the irreplaceable "mad cow". In the center of the city of Gonzanamá, the Sanctuary of the "Lord of Good Success" rises majestically, very popular with pilgrims from all latitudes of the country, and from the towns of northern Peru. During the days of celebration, the city dresses up and welcomes hundreds of devotees who come to participate in the internal liturgical acts. They include the celebration of the festive mass, the sermon of order on vespers and concludes with the traditional procession of the Lord, through the central streets of the city. Location A few kilometers from the city of Loja, in a quiet and stately region of Loja on the slopes of the majestic Colambo and under the protection of the "Lord of Good Success" it is located in the city of Santo Domingo de Gonzanamá.
463.03 Km.
We have 413 tourist attractions listed in Ecuador.