Discover Loja: coffee, nature and culture

In Loja, you can discover coffee from carefully prepared drinks to its cultivation and processing. There is also a biosphere reserve, the blooming of the guayacanes in Zapotillo, and cultural experiences in Saraguro and El Cisne. Which travel ideas you combine depends on whether you want to focus on nature, coffee or local traditions.

Nature and landscapes in Loja

The Podocarpus-El Cóndor Biosphere Reserve spans the provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe. Its core area includes Podocarpus National Park and Yacurí National Park, among others. The reserve’s flora includes 4,191 plant species, and 629 bird species have been recorded there. These figures give an impression of the diversity of this protected area.

The Puyango area is also a distinctive feature of the province: it lies partly in El Oro and partly in Loja and is divided by the Puyango River. The river is rated Class III for international canoeing difficulty. If you are planning a canoe trip, check current operator and safety information beforehand. A tourism brochure and a tourist map of the Puyango municipality feature 31 attractions. The brochure, presented in August 2024, provides information about destinations in all six municipalities of the canton.

Coffee from cultivation to cup

The Ruta del Café connects specialty cafés in the city of Loja, coffee farms in the province, and cafés in the main towns of the cantons. It is an initiative of the provincial tourism project and aims to strengthen domestic tourism and position coffee from Loja as a national symbol of identity and quality.

In the first stage, visitors at specialty cafés in the city of Loja learn about the history and origins of coffee from trained baristas and sample carefully prepared drinks. The second stage takes visitors to coffee plantations, where they follow the production process from seed to cup. Hacienda San Gabriel offers another coffee experience. Visitors there can tour the coffee fields and learn about coffee varieties as well as fermentation and drying.

Blooming season and Romería

In Zapotillo, the guayacanes bloom after the first rains in January. This is a natural tourist attraction in Loja Province; the exact timing depends on the rainfall. A previous blooming-season program included a guided hike through the guayacán forest, a horseback ride along the old route between Mangahurco and Cazaderos, and five cycling routes to choose from through Bolaspamba, Mangahurco and Cazaderos. If you plan to take part in these activities, check the current program before your trip.

The Museum of Religious Art in the Basilica of El Cisne preserves artistic treasures connected with the veneration of Our Lady of El Cisne by the people of Loja and neighboring provinces. During the traditional Romería, the image of the saint is carried along a 74-kilometer route to Loja. The procession sets out on August 17 and returns to El Cisne on November 17. Check the dates provided if you want to plan your trip around the Romería.

Crafts, drinks and cuisine in Saraguro

In the community of Ñamarin in the canton of Saraguro, visitors can take part in the work at Mama Rosa’s textile workshop. They clean and separate sheep’s wool, spin it, dye it with natural dyes made from flowers and plants, and then weave a garment on a backstrap loom. This allows you to experience the individual steps as one connected, participatory process.

In Gera, visitors learn how Guajango is made and share the drink with the community as a sign of welcome. In Ilincho, two kilometers from Saraguro, visitors can tour the facilities of Cerveza Artesanal Kapak, have the brewmaster explain the brewing process, and sample different beers with homemade snacks.

Pinzhi is a traditional Saraguro dish and is shared communally. Its presentation includes cuy on wheat or potatoes with pumpkin-seed sauce, tortillas or bread, cheese with bread, a basket portion of peeled mote, and a jug of chicha. The E35, E45 and E50 roads provide access to Saraguro by private vehicle or public transport. Check current routes and transport operators before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Loja, Vilcabamba, Catamayo, Saraguro, Malacatos, San Pablo de Tenta, Veracruz, La Cocha.

For the main travel overview: Ecuador.