Find the hidden paradises of Ecuador located in El Oro. Keep reading this article and fall in love with the magic of this place.
El Oro is a province located in the southernmost Ecuador’s coast. This city was so named because of its large production of this precious metal which encompasses a great history important to the country. On the other hand, El Oro is one of the main exporters of bananas in the world.
The province of El Oro is bordered to the east and north by the provinces of Loja, Guayas and Azuay. To the south and west is the Pacific Ocean along with the Tumbes Region of Peru. The province has a wide range of tropical tourist attractions such as the islands of Jambelí, Santa Clara or the attractive petrified forest of the Puyango River.
Machala in province El Oro, Ecuador
It is located in the fertile lowlands near the Gulf of Guayaquil. It is said to be the banana capital of the world. Coffee and cacao are also two important crops in the surrounding farmlands.
The cathedral is impressive, and the church of Nuestra Señora de Chilla has an impressive depiction of the Virgin and child dressed in golden finery, attended by a rustic, a dog and a goat. Further afield, the Puyango Petrified Forest is the largest variety of fossil trees in the world, some measuring more than six feet in diameter and nearly 50 feet long.
The Puyango River valley in southwestern Ecuador is home to a petrified forest with a large number of trunks that were converted by a cataclysm more than 100 million years ago from trees into granite.
Puyango Petrified Forest
It is located on the border of the provinces of El Oro and Loja, giving visitors the opportunity to observe the tree trunks on the ground, learn about wildlife, plants, and also enjoy the wide variety of food that you can find in this area.
The historic center of Zaruma is located at the top of the street that winds through town to the Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square). The plaza itself is beautiful with a central fountain and gardens and trees. Around the plaza are some very interesting and beautiful buildings such as the church (Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Carmen) and the museum.
The church is made of wood and was built between 1912 and 1930 by a local who used a photograph of a church in France as a reference. The interior has some amazing oil paintings and gold.
Historic Center of Zaruma, El Oro
In the historic center of Zaruma, you will see fountains, palm trees and gardens in the Plaza Independencia de Zaruma. You will also see the silver altar which is quite spectacular inside.The most striking building in town is the large green building on one side of the park that has cafes and stores at street level. From the park, the streets head in all directions up and down, where the fun really begins exploring old Zaruma.
El Sexmo Mine
While Zaruma’s mines are mostly depleted or closed to visitors, you can enter a 500m long tunnel at La Mina el Sexmo. Guests put on boots and a hard hat and go into the earth (following a 10-minute video on the history of the mine). It’s a short cab ride ($2 Ecuadorian dollars) or a scenic 10-minute walk from downtown.
Jambelí Islands
The Jambelí Islands or Jambleí archipelago is located in El Oro, it is surrounded by mangroves, meaning that its main source of income is tourism. It is a beautiful island where you can rent rooms, enjoy delicious food in restaurants and bars on the beach. You can fish or stroll through the mangroves, it is a very fun and relaxing place.
