Carchi

CULTURE

Carchi: Museums and culture

Discover Tulcán, an Andean city that reflects the cultural richness of northern Ecuador. This destination captivates with its history and border identity. Visit the imposing Cathedral of Tulcán and in San Pedro de la Huaca visit the Catholic Sanctuary Nuestra Señora de la Purificación, spaces that show the local religious art. Carchi invites you to live an authentic experience full of memory and culture.

The cemetery of Tulcán a treasure trove of topiaries

Discover the Municipal Cemetery “José María Azael Franco Guerrero” of Tulcán, a cultural jewel located northwest of the city. This cemetery, declared Cultural Patrimony of the State in 1984, dazzles with more than 300 sculptures carved in cypress. Walk through its gardens, divided into the section of the “Park of Memories” with figures of fauna and flora, and in the back is the area of the “Altar of God”, with sculptures that are replicas of characters or forms of the pre-Columbian, Augustinian and Arab periods. A unique place that combines art and nature, ideal for an unforgettable visit.

NATURE

Unparalleled forests and moorlands:

Explore the Reserve Ecological El Angel, an impressive páramo where you can walk among giant frailejones, walk through Polylepis forests and visit the wonderful El Voladero Lagoon. For those who love adventure and high altitude trekking between the Ecuadorian and Ecuadorian borders, we recommend Colombia, In the Chiles Volcano, there are the Green Lagoons located in an ideal environment that allows wildlife observation and photography of Andean landscapes. Visit the Bosque de Arrayanes in Montúfar, a magical place for guided walks, contemplation of ancient trees and connection with the nature of northern Ecuador. Discover Carchi and be amazed by its unique nature and unforgettable landscapes.

ANCESTRAL COMMUNITIES AND RURALITY

In Carchi, the Pasto culture leaves a visible legacy in the decorated ceramics, weavings and rituals that still survive in communities rural. They were an agricultural and spiritual people, with a strong connection to the earth and the stars. Their symbol, the Pasto Sun, is present in the murals of the Tulcán cemetery. Although as a people they were absorbed by colonial processes, their cultural heritage remains alive in the traditions, symbols and expressions that continue to mark the local identity.

Holidays:

The Dance of the Innocents is one of the most representative festivities of Carchi and is celebrated every December 28 in the canton of Montufar. This tradition combines satire, colorful costumes, parades and parades where the community expresses social criticism and popular humor. The festivities include live music, dances and the election of the “King of the Innocents”. It is a unique celebration that reflects the cultural ingenuity and festive identity of the Carchense people.

GASTRONOMY

Traditional cuisine: 

Carchi invites you to discover its Andean flavor through a cuisine full of tradition that uses potatoes as one of its main ingredients. Try the roasted guinea pig accompanied by boiled potatoes, prepared with local spices and cooked over charcoal, a dish that stands out for its crunchy texture. Enjoy the hornado pastuso, slow-baked pork served with potatoes, mote and spicy sauce. Be sure to try the papas con cuero de San Gabriel, a typical recipe that combines tender potatoes with pigskin in a sauce prepared with a base of ground peanuts and milk. Let yourself be surprised by these flavors traditional.

CRAFTS

Discover the wealth of craftsmanship of Carchi, where traditions are expressed in unique pieces full of history. Admire the ceramic vessels with iconography of the Pasto culture, elaborated with ancestral techniques that endure to this day. You will also find jade jewelry with pre-Columbian motifs. In Mascarilla, be amazed by the Afro-Ecuadorian black masks, handmade with local clay and glossy finishes. You can also buy sheep wool garments, woven by indigenous hands with traditional knowledge.