Ecuador Travel

Church of southern Matriz de Zaruma

Overview

Located in the southern province of El Oro (meaning literally "the gold") in the western range of the Andes mountains, Zaruma is a lovely hilltop town with steep twisted streets, painted wooden buildings, and fabulous views of the surrounding landscape. The town is situated at around 1150 meters above sea level and enjoys a dry, mild, and generally sunny climate year round. The brief rainy season lasts from December to April, with August typically being the driest month.

The name of the town comes from the combining of two Quichua words, "saramaiz" and "uma" which together mean "maize cob". The town was founded in 1595 by order of the King of Spain, Felipe II, who gave it the official name of "Villa Real de San Antonio del Cerro de Oro de Zaruma". Felipe II founded the town in this spot in an effort to control the area's gold extraction.

Highlights

Mining- especialy artisan mining, has been occurring in the area since pre-Columbian times, and despite the fact that a good deal of the available gold has already been mined, small-scale extraction activities still make up a major operation in and around Zaruma. Upon request, it is possible to visit one of the many roadside mining operations to observe the entire mining process and many locals bring gold-bearing rocks into the town to be crushed and passed through sluices to wash off the mud. There is also a tourist mine known as "El Sexmo" which has been opened for the public and offers guided tours Tuesday through Saturday.

Architecture- Zaruma is famous for its beautiful architecture and layout, which is a product of its history and colonial past. Many of the charming wooden buildings are centuries old, with one of the highlights being the lovely wooden church. Thanks to its impressive architecture the town is listed as a candidate for the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The architectural riches of Zaruma can be observed when touring the central plaza and the surrounding homes that maintain their harmony and beauty.

Next to the beautiful central plaza is a small museum giving the entire history of gold mining operations up to the current day, along with a collection of pre-Inca ceramics and other local historical artefacts. Visitors will often have the opportunity to observe the various gold mining processes in action, in the form of rock-crushing and sluicing.

Entrance to the museum is free, and hours are Mon - Fri 8h00 - 12h00 / 14h00 - 18h00, Sat 9h00 - 16h00, Sun 8h30 - 12h30, and holidays 9h00 - 13h00. The very friendly and helpful tourist office is also located just off the central plaza, and from here visitors can arrange for local guides, get assistance with accommodations, and receive recommendations for area activities (Telf 593 7 297 3533, Mon-Fri 8h00-12h00 / 13h00-17h00, Sat 9h00-16h00, Sun 9h00-13h00, www.vivazaruma.com).

Archaelogical Complex- The Zaruma area has a number of pre-Hispanic archaeological sites and petroglyphs which may be toured, and there are possibilities for hiking in the area. Near Zaruma tourists can visit two important architectural remains of Cañari origin that allow them to get closer to the history of this region. The ruins of Huayquichuma are located only 15 minutes from Zaruma. The ruins of Yacubiñay are located about an hour and a half from Zaruma and are thought to have been a ceremonial center.

Coffee- In addition to its architecture, gold mines, and landscapes Zaruma is also widely known for its high quality premium coffee, which is exported worldwide. The altitude and the dry, spring-like climate of the region allow the locally grown Arabic beans to acquire their characteristic acidy, aroma, and smooth texture and flavor. The coffee generally comes from small tree-shaded plantations where it is hand picked bean by bean by knowledgeable local growers with generations of experience. Much of the coffee is organic, and various blends may be purchased locally.

Traditional Food- The traditional food of Zaruma is a dish known as "tigrillo", a mix of green plantain, egg, and fresh cheese, which is often served with a choice of meat. Tigrillo may be found at most of the local restaurants in the town, along with various traditional Ecuadorian dishes.

Lodging- There are a few good lodging options for visitors to Zaruma.

Getting There

Zaruma can be reached by direct bus from both Quito and Guayaquil. The trip from Guayaquil takes around 5 hours, and costs $6.75, while the journey from Quito is 12 hours and costs $10.00. Direct buses can also be taken from Loja (4 hours) or Cuenca (5 hours), meaning that visitors wishing to shorten the time of their trip can take an approximately 45 minute flight from Quito to one of these nearby cities and then catch a bus.