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Known for its rich musical, artistic, and culinary traditions, Loja is regarded as a seat of Ecuadorian Culture. Located in the temperate Cuxibamba valley in the south of Ecuador inside the Loja Province, of which Loja is the capital, the city is home to two major universities and an important conservatory that attracts many international students.
Loja provides opportunities for visitors to view Ecuadorian art, listen to good music, and taste special cuisine. Art lovers should not miss the frescoes of Bolívar and Sucre at the gates of the city, and it’s easy to find statues, massive painted tile murals, and additional frescoes throughout the streets and plazas. The thriving music scene in the small clubs and salsa houses lives up to Loja’s reputation as the music capital of Ecuador and the local police band performs in the Plaza de Independencia outside of San Sebastian Church on Sundays. Foodies must taste the succulent cuy (guinea pig), aromatic coffee, and light café fare famous in Loja.
As the first city in Ecuador to be wired for electric power in 1890 and one of the first municipalities in Ecuador to implement a city-wide recycling program, Loja has also been a modern influence as far as technological achievement and environmental awareness is concerned. Loja boasts some beautiful parks where it’s easy to spend a full day exploring the botanical gardens, riding paddle boats, or checking out the small zoo.
The city of Loja was founded in 1548 and is one of the oldest cities in Ecuador. Historically, Loja was once used as a departure point for the Spanish Conquistadors to access the Amazon Basin and the El Dorado region, although Loja declared its independence from Spain in 1820.
Geographically, the city lies between the Amazon Basin and the Peruvian sechura and is composed of cloud-forest, paramo, and jungle. Loja makes an ideal base to explore Vilcabamba, Parque Nacional Podocarpus, and the southern Amazon rainforest.
Loja is regarded as a seat of Ecuadorian Culture...
Transport to Loja and Vilcabamba
TAME, the national airline, flies from Quito to the Loja airport, Mondays through Saturdays and from Guayaquil, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. By car, the direct trip from Quito takes 12-14 hours, or you can stop in places like Baños de Agua Santa or Cuenca. The trip from Guayaquil to Loja takes 8 hours.
Vilcabamba is only 45 minutes by car from the city of Loja, the provincial capital of the province. From Loja, buses leave frequently, take about an hour and a half, and cost under $1.50. Vilcabambaturis minibuses take one hour, cost $2, and leave each hour. Taxis colectivos take 45 minutes and cost around $2 per person. Most people come to Vilcabamba via Loja and though many people skip over the larger city, those who don’t will be rewarded.
Vilcabamba main attractions
Vilcabamba is a small village within the valley of Vilcabamba in the southern Loja province famous for its dramatic and varied topography as well as for the longevity of its inhabitants. The mild year-round climate, lush green scenery, and fresh mountain air are the main attractions for the many backpackers and expatriate retirees who make Vilcabamba their temporary or permanent home, and the main factors which contribute to the long lives of the people from this region.
Vilcabamba means Sacred Valley in the indigenous language Quichua and the area was once used as a retreat for Inca royalty. The mountain that overlooks the valley and its two rivers, Mandango or the Sleeping Inca, is said to protect the area and its inhabitants from natural disasters.
After a series of articles about the famed longevity of the Vilcabambenses (people from Vilcabamba) in the early 1970s, the area became known as the Valley Of Longevity and morphed into one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ecuador. Despite the tourism, Vilcabamba retains its sleepy small village feel with only a few pastel-colored blocks near the main plaza lined with restaurants and internet cafes. The laid back vibe, perfect weather (65-82 degrees Farenheit year-round), and plethora of activities in the area create a relaxed and comfortable environment that makes it difficult to leave.
The dramatic landscape and variety of climatic zones in the region create diverse vegetation that is home to birds and wildlife ideal for photographers, painters, and biologists, while the rich colors and dramatic skies make it a favorite location for outdoor enthusiasts. Travelers can find ample opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling, or set a few days aside to explore nearby Parque Nacional Podocarpus. People hoping to relax will find that the spa treatments, massages, reflexology, steam baths, and saunas in town make it extremely easy to soothe weary limbs and eradicate the stress of travel.
The most popular hike or horseback ride is up to Cerro Mandango, the spectacular mountain which dominates the skyline. Most naturalists and guides charge under $40 per day for the trip. There have been reports of robberies along the trails, so using one of the many services in town is recommended. Another option is visiting Cabañas Rio Yambala, an organization that can arrange two to three day hikes (around $110 per person) or horseback rides (under $50 per person per day) to their private 350-hectare nature reserve. Bicyclists will find that the owner of El Chino rents bikes for under $2.50 per hour, or offers day long tours for around $20.
Lovers of the outdoors should keep in mind that there are really only two seasons in Vilcabamba: rainy green and dry. Although temperatures are consistent year-round, during the rainy season (October through May) brief showers are common in the afternoons so adventure seekers should bring a raincoat on longer treks.
Spa enthusiasts can inquire at their hotel or head to the spa at Madre Tierra Hotel and Spa for a one of the treatments including massages, facials, body wraps, and colonics. A great way to relax in the evenings is to grab a seat at one of the many restaurants in the center of town with outdoor tables and a variety of cuisine from international fare to vegetarian.
