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Devils and Mummies: 6 Ecuadorian mysteries that will keep you up at night

Ecuador has already captured your heart with its volcanoes, rainforests and Enchanted Islands but there’s a mysterious side that rarely makes it onto the postcards. From devil-shaped mountains and caves explored by astronauts to enigmatic mummies and legendary creatures, these extraordinary destinations blur the line between nature, myth and the unknown. If you’re ready to venture beyond the ordinary, this guide will lead you into the country’s most intriguing mysteries.

The Devil’s Cauldron (Baños de Agua Santa)

Legend has it that the Devil tried to escape with the lost treasures of Rumiñahui, but the mountain stopped him and turned him to stone forever. Ever since, when the light plays with the shadows on the rock face, his reclining face emerges from the spray, watching over anyone daring enough to look. This mysterious destination lies 17 kilometres from Baños de Agua Santa, along the road to Puyo. You can visit during the day (USD 3) or enjoy an illuminated night tour (USD 5). Be sure to wear non-slip footwear.

The Devil’s Nose (Alausí)

Facing Mount Pistishí, the railway builders were confronted with an almost vertical rock face and a challenge so extreme that tales of supernatural trials began to emerge: the mountain refused to be tamed. As the train moves forwards and backwards along the zigzag track above the abyss, the rock formation resembling a nose continues to bear a name that sends a shiver down the spine. This mysterious landmark is located in Alausí, in the province of Chimborazo, and can be explored aboard the Alausí–Sibambe train, which operates from Thursday to Sunday and on public holidays. Tickets cost USD 30 for international adult visitors.

The Devil’s Face (Tandapi)

Travellers crossing this road associate it with tales of roadside mysteries and hidden treasures, as if the face with its horns, fangs and defiant gaze were guarding something beneath the mountain. But its creator, self-taught sculptor Cristóbal Buenaño, revealed a different mystery: he carved it into the rock as an allegory of the eternal struggle between human reason and instinct. This enigmatic landmark is located in Tandapi, five kilometres from the village along the Alóag–Santo Domingo road. You can visit for free and stop by the roadside to take photographs.

Cave of the Tayos (Morona Santiago)

Deep in the darkness of caves inhabited by oilbirds, known locally as tayos, rumours have circulated since the late 1960s of an ancient metal library hidden underground. The story crossed borders and, in 1976, prompted an Anglo-Ecuadorian scientific and military expedition, during which none other than astronaut Neil Armstrong descended into the caves. This mysterious destination lies in the Cordillera del Cóndor, within the territory of the Shuar community of Coangos. Visits must be arranged with the community and specialist caving operators, with guided tours starting at USD 258.

The Mummy of Guano (Chimborazo)

Following the 1949 earthquake, a remarkably well-preserved body was discovered among the walls of the old Church of the Assumption convent, accompanied by a small rodent. For decades, it was believed to be the remains of a 16th-century Franciscan friar, until forensic analyses challenged that theory: the individual died sometime between 1750 and 1805, at around 50 years of age. The mummy’s true story remains shrouded in mystery. This enigmatic attraction is located in Guano, in the province of Chimborazo, and the mummy is displayed at the Municipal Museum from Tuesday to Sunday, with admission costing USD 1 for international visitors.

Witch Hill (San Cristóbal, Galápagos)

Its witch’s-hat silhouette, outlined against the sea, fuels maritime legends passed from one fisherman to another. Those who make it here also discover a wildlife sanctuary where sea lions, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies thrive side by side. This mysterious destination lies on the northern coast of San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos, and can be visited on daily boat excursions departing from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, with prices starting at USD 225 per person.

Six places, six stories and one certainty: Ecuador isn’t just a country to admire; it’s a country to discover. Pack your bags, let curiosity lead the way and come find the answers for yourself. Ecuador’s most mysterious side is waiting for you.

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