City: Imbabura Province
Top Things to do in Imbabura Province
10 Nature & Parks in Imbabura Province That You Shouldn't Miss
Imbabura (Spanish pronunciation: [imbaˈβuɾa]) is a province located in the Andes of northern Ecuador. The capital is Ibarra. The people of the province speak Spanish and the Imbaburan Quechua language.
Restaurants in Imbabura Province
1. Laguna Cuicocha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 844 reviews
Located west of the Chota River, this extinct eroded volcano is best known for its deep crater lake and two lava islands.
Reviewed By shoellr - Cotacachi, Ecuador
The Cuicocha lagoon is located south of the city of Cotacahi, passing a town called Quiroga, you can go by car or hire a truck in the town of Quiroga, the road to the lagoon is paved and in very good condition, the trip From the center of the city to the lagoon it takes about half an hour and about fifteen minutes from Quiroga, once there you can see the huge lagoon from different viewpoints, formerly it was called the lagoon of the gods by the natives, it is a crater volcanic located at the base of the main mountain of the city called Cotacachi volcano, its waters are beautiful and of a dark blue in the middle of the lagoon there are two islets. The first islet is called Teodoro Wolf, and the second is called Jose Maria Yerovi, in these two islets there is a great variety of native flowers of the area such as orchids and mosses there are also animals such as ducks, rabbits and foxes. Gas bubbles emerge from the depths of the lake due to volcanic activity. There is an earthen path that surrounds the lagoon it is possible to walk along the path and it takes about 3 hours to go around the lagoon, in this path you will be able to see a large number of unique flowers of the province and if you are lucky any animal, I would recommend you going with a guide in the area because the path has many ways and you can get lost in the mountains, there are many activities that you can do in the lagoon such as the boat ride, It is one of the most incredible experiences of this visit, because you can observe the purity of its waters, and feel the cold wind that circulates inside the crater, you can also appreciate the vegetation and wildlife up close. The two islets are covered in 25 minutes. In the smallest there is a Virgin, vestiges of an abandoned inn and a path that can be accessed with permission from the Ministry of the Environment. Upon entering the place you will find some craft stalls with leather items such as: wallets, purses, belts, suitcases, shoes, clothing, among others, woolen fabrics and more. There is also an interpretation center located 200 meters from the entrance of the Cuicocha lagoon, it has educational information about the Reserve. In addition, there is an auditorium, in which environmental education talks are given; a small botanical garden, where you can appreciate the different species of flora that the area has. If you want to eat there is a small restaurant where they offer typical dishes of the area, they also offer you hot drinks after returning from the boat, the weather is very cold so I would recommend you to wear warm clothes when you go there, however it is a wonderful experience and a beautiful place, hope to return very soon.
2. Rio Peguche
3. Condor Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 511 reviews
Reviewed By bettyl774 - Pensacola Beach, United States
Some of the reviews had given me the idea that this was a very cheap little place--it's not. The birds are kept in large enclosures and seem well maintained. The variety of birds is amazing! We really liked seeing the condors and harpy eagles. We went there in the morning and the birds were very active then.
4. Gruta de la Paz
5. Cuicocha Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By 2Americas - Sedona, United States
As with many National parks in Ecuador, entrance is free. Plenty of free parking and a few shops, 1 restaurant, and bathrooms located near the overlook of the lake. I highly recommend the $4 PP 20 min boat ride.
6. Cascada de Peguche
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 731 reviews
Reviewed By mimic767 - Drummond, United States
Worth a mile hike on well groomed trail to picturesque waterfall...sacred waterfall. Water conservation and reverence is at the heart of all indigenous cultures as is love and protection for Pache Mama , Mother earth. Walk through indigenous village, Just sign in as guest,,,proceed to trails..one handicapped accessible for large wheeled wheel chair. Oly a short $2 van ride from Otavalo Square.
7. Volcan Imbabura
8. Parque Bolivar
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By makwa55 - Watertown, United States
I was in the Otavalo area for 6 weeks and visited this park often when in town. It's a great place to relax and people watch. Lots of benches both in and out of the sun and many people sitting on the grass as well. We liked to relax and feed the pigeons that frequent the area. From children to oldsters this park has it all. On busier days (like Saturday when the market is in full force) there are also plenty of food vendors. It's just a short walk from Plaza de Poncho and well worth doing.
9. Parque Bulevar Centrica
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Roberth_Pozo
It is a fairly large park, with a first-class infrastructure. The times I have visited it I find it very impressive because it is a place where you can share pleasant moments with family or friends. On weekends there are different types of exhibitions at the north entrance of the park where you can see art exhibitions, clothing or local cuisine. The park has different types of recreation, but my favourite one is the rent of bicycles, as the space is very very big, going for a walk is very exhausting, but by bicycle you can do the walk in the fourth part and the experience is wonderful. On the other hand, being close to the city, it is easy to reach its location. It is important to say that in this place every year because of Ibarra's festivities, there are parties in different points of the park, in these points people concentrate to be able to enjoy the music that they want as an example, one place is for tropical music, in another one for people who like rock and that's why people not only from the city but from other cities go to visit this place and enjoy this great party called "TARIMAS". It has courts to play football, basketball and bolyball. In this place they meet to practice their favorite sports. The walks with pets is another attraction, many people like to go for a walk with their pets because it has green areas and they can be free and another point in favor is that you can go for a jog in the morning because it is a very safe place. A very nice experience.
10. El Lechero
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By Arborista - Patate, Ecuador
November 6, 2018 I visited the historic tree known as El Lechero (Sapium glandulosum) located on a hill 9,340 ft. (2,847 m.) above sea level overlooking Otavalo in northern Ecuador. The tree has been an important ceremonial tree for the indigenous community of Pucará Alto and the greater indigenous population of Otavalo for many generations. Otavalo is well-known for its Indian market and the high quality, hand-made weavings and textiles produced there. El Lechero is also a significant tourist stop for visitors to Otavalo. Unfortunately, about a year ago El Lechero was damaged by a fire built next to the trunk and has been in decline. The site on the hill where El Lechero is located is wind-blown and cool. Although near the equator, the high altitude keeps the average annual temperature at 54 degrees F. (12 degrees C.) with daily high temperatures rarely exceeding 72 degrees F (22 degrees C.). The soil is a silty clay with some sand and has been compacted by years of foot traffic by tourists to look at the tree and indigenous people performing ritual ceremonies. The upper 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) of soil is heavily compacted making rains more likely to run off the site than soak into the soil. The relatively small size of El Lechero is probably not a true indication of its likely age. Conversations by community leader Sr. Andrango, who has spoken with older Indigenous residents about their conversations with their ancestors, can trace back rituals performed at El Lechero many generations. The size of El Lechero is more likely a result of less than ideal growing conditions. I evaluated the tree’s health and separately the tree’s structural condition. Both health condition and structural condition are completely separate and independent conditions. Tree health is measured by leaf quantity, leaf color and overall crown opacity as well as the amount of sprout growth in each growth flush. Tree structure is evaluated by the absence or presence of structural defects such as cankers, cavities and the arrangement of branch connection at forks. The tree’s health condition is fair with sparse foliage and low opacity (about 33 percent), but the tree has produced a significant number of new epicormic sprouts and relatively strong new growth. Foliage color is good and recent growth flushes have been consistent. The structural condition of El Lechero, however, is poor because the trunk is so extensively compromised that it is in danger of falling apart. The trunk is a hollowed out half moon shape with a wall of live tissue that is approximately 4 to 5 cm thick (1.75 to 2 inches). Fortunately, the community leaders realized the stability problems during the past year and have provided supports with posts made of living lechero wood. The rather magical trait of freshly cut lechero posts, even large posts, is that they easily root and become living posts. Living fences in the Andes are often made of lechero posts stuck in the ground. Consequently, several of these branch support posts placed around El Lechero have begun to root and grow. I demonstrated how to expose the cambium on the live posts and the live branches being supported and secure them together tightly to encourage the posts to graft onto the lateral branches. This technique would create a living support network of younger lechero trunks supporting the mother trunk (Figure 4). Ideally, the lechero support posts would be of the same genetic material as the main trunk. I understand sprouts recently taken from El Lechero are currently being rooted (cloned) as replacement trees of the same genetic material as the main trunk. However, these cuttings are still small. The instability of the main trunk is so delicate, in my opinion, that lechero posts are needed right now even if they are not the same genetic material as the main trunk and branches. Later cloned posts from the mother tree can be added as support, rooted and grafted onto lateral branches. In addition to providing support for El Lechero’s trunk, soil and root conditions have to be improved. Putting down a layer of organic mulch is the best and also least expensive way to improve the root space and provide more resources for the roots in the form of increased organic matter, humus and biota. The mulch material can be any organic matter in the form of wood chips, leaves, pine tree bark. But do not use any organic components from eucalyptus trees which can give off toxins that may harm El Lechero. This mulch layer should be approximately 5 to 7 cm. (2 to 3 inches) thick and should not be piled up against the trunk of the tree. As this organic layer decomposes, it will slowly improve the soil and provide a very subtle and gentle level of natural fertilizer for El Lechero. Too much mulch can inhibit the movement of rainfall into the roots. So be careful not to make the mulch layer too thick. The mulch layer will not only help in reducing soil compaction but will also help cushion the soil from further compaction when there is occasional foot traffic near the trunk of El Lechero. Avoid chemical fertilizers or even strong natural fertilizer concoctions commonly used in Ecuador. These mixtures normally stimulate foliage growth and can cause an imbalance between the root system and the foliage. Strong fertilizers, whether natural or chemical, can cause more damage to El Lechero than benefits. The problems El Lechero has are not fertilizer issues. Too much fertilizer can only complicate the recovery.
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