Loja

CULTURE

Loja: Museums and culture

Loja invites you to discover its cultural richness through a tour full of history and charm. Start your visit at the iconic Puerta de la Ciudad, a replica of the royal coat of arms of Loja, an architectural icon with a museum and panoramic viewpoint. Enter its historic center, where churches such as the Cathedral and San Sebastian, along with the Bolivar Theater, reflect its colonial and republican architectural heritage. Visit the Museo de la Culture Lojana that exhibits tools and artifacts of the aboriginal cultures, photographs of the creation of the Republic of Ecuador, also visit the Museum of Music to learn about its artistic legacy. Walk along the picturesque Lourdes Street, with its mansions converted into cafes, galleries and stores full of life. Let yourself be surprised by a city that lives and breathes culture in every corner.

Sanctuary of the Virgin of El Cisne

The Sanctuary of the Virgin of El Cisne, is one of the main centers of devotion in Ecuador. Every year, thousands of pilgrims participate in the pilgrimage that travels more than 74 km from the Basilica in El Cisne to the city of Loja, accompanying the image of the Virgin. This pilgrimage has 429 years of tradition, carrying for three days, the Virgin carved in 1594 by the Spaniard Diego Robles. The sanctuary stands out for its imposing architecture and spiritual atmosphere. To visit it is to live an experience of faith, culture and deeply rooted tradition.

Vilcabamba: City of well-being and longevity

Vilcabamba, known as the “Valley of Longevity”, recognized by National Geographic since the 1970s as one of the “islands of longevity” in the world, up to 47 residents exceeded 100 years in 2020, thanks to the mild climate and mineral water rich in magnesium. This place offers you a unique experience among mountains and fresh air. Here you can hike nature trails, visit waterfalls like San Pedro, and discover the secret of youth in its waters and fields, visiting its rivers, ecological trails, organic orchards, coffee farms, spa, relaxation and wellness inns. Its pleasant climate and friendly people make this destination an ideal refuge for rebirth. Delight yourself with healthy gastronomy, local markets and wellness workshops.

NATURE

Podocarpus National Park: Exploration and birdwatching trails

Discover the Podocarpus National Park, home to a great biodiversity, which includes more than 500 species of birds and up to 4,000 species of plants, including the Compadre Lagoons, a system of more than 50 lagoon bodies of international importance, declared a Ramsar Site. This park is a natural treasure between Loja and Zamora that invites you to explore mountain landscapes, moorlands and cloud forests full of life. You can hike along well-marked trails, bird watching such as Pico espina arcoíris (Rainbow Thorn-billed woodpecker) and photography of nature. Ideal for ecotourism lovers, it is an unmissable destination to connect with the Andean biodiversity.

Petrified forest of Puyango: A millenary history

Enter the Petrified Forest of Puyango, one of the most important fossil deposits in Latin America. Here, trees turned to stone more than 100 million years ago narrate the geological history of the planet. Its trails guide you among fossilized trunks up to 15 meters long and 2 meters in diameter, ancient ferns and marine fossils, in an environment that was seabed in the Cretaceous era. It has one of the largest collections of petrified wood in the world and was declared a Protected Forest and Vegetation in 1987. A fascinating destination to discover the petrified memory of the Earth.

ANCESTRAL COMMUNITIES AND RURALITY

Communities and Indigenous Peoples: Community Tourism in Saraguro

In Loja, live an authentic experience with the Saraguro Rikuy Community Tourism Network, an initiative that connects visitors with the living culture of the Kichwa Saraguro people. Participate in rituals ancestral, Learn loom weaving techniques, share with host families and tour Andean landscapes such as Cerro Puglla or the waterfalls of the Virgen de Agua Santa. Enjoy the local gastronomy and directly support the communities, since the income is managed collectively. Saraguro Rikuy invites you to get to know the deepest Ecuador in a responsible and enriching way.

Holidays:

Loja invites you to celebrate its most representative festivities that are a must for the visitor. In August begins the pilgrimage of the Virgen del Cisne, which gathers thousands of faithful in a unique manifestation of faith in the country. In November, the International Festival of Living Arts fills the city with world-class theater, dance and music. And in December, the Loja Foundation revives traditions with parades, cultural fairs and expressions of local identity.

Inti Raymi and Pawkar Raimi: Ancestral Festivals and Festivals

In Loja, ancestral festivities invite you to live profound cultural experiences. In June, Inti Raymi celebrates the sun with dances, rituals and offerings that connect with Andean spirituality. In February or March, Pawkar Raymi marks the flowering of nature with music, traditional dress and chicha. And in September, the Kulla Raymi honors the moon, fertility and women with ceremonies full of symbolism. To participate in these festivities is to discover the living essence of the indigenous peoples of southern Ecuador.

GASTRONOMY

The gastronomy lojana combines tradition, flavor and local products. Try the cecina lojana, salted pork, grilled and served with yucca, rice and salad. Enjoy repe lojano, declared “gastronomic insignia of southern Ecuador”, a creamy soup made with green plantain, milk, cheese and onion. Taste the tamal lojano, prepared with corn dough and meat filling wrapped in achira leaf. And don't miss the cuyada chicken, a thick and tasty broth with peanuts, achiote and herbs, prepared with exclusive family secrets, only shared from generation to generation. Don't miss this carousel of flavors.

Origin Coffee: Flavors of origin and tradition

Loja invites you to discover its origin coffee, recognized with Denomination of Origin for its exceptional quality. Cultivated in the mountains, this coffee stands out for its floral aroma, citric acidity and smooth body. Visit coffee farms, learn about the entire process from bean to cup, participate in tastings and share with local producers. An authentic sensory experience that connects the traveler with tradition, the Andean landscape and the unique flavor of the best coffee in southern Ecuador.

CRAFTS

Here you can find carved woodwork, decorative ceramics, toquilla straw hats, embroidery, weavings and objects made of cabuya and leather. The markets traditional downtown, especially in streets near the Central Plaza, offer these authentic products in an environment full of color and identity. Visiting these spaces is the perfect opportunity to take a part of the handmade Lojan culture with you.