Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eco-Travel
Guayaquil Botanical Gardens
The
jardín botánico
is the closest nature retreat to down-
town Guayaquil. With 12½ acres abutting a privately
owned forested area, the botanical gardens are a great
place to get away, relax, and learn about Ecuador's rich
plant life. The gardens were created by the Ecuadorian Orchid Soci-
ety and now include a large portion of the country's orchid species, in
addition to numerous other plants and trees. Also on the grounds are
a spectacular butterfly garden, an auditorium, a restaurant, and a
bookstore.
The gardens are about 30 minutes by car north of downtown near the
Ciudadela de Las Orquídeas, on Avenida Orellana,
4-416-975/417-
004, open daily 8:30-4, admission $4. Call a day in advance to make
arrangements or to have a guide meet you at your hotel. It's also pos-
sible to take a taxi to the gardens. Call for specific directions and
bring mosquito repellent during the rainy season.
Cerro Blanco Forest Reserve
Less than 30 minutes northwest of downtown Guayaquil is the
Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco, encompassing 8,645 acres of tropical
dry forest in the Chongón Hills. The property is owned by the
Cemento Nacional company and administered by Fundación Pro-
Bosque. This small, private reserve offers several trails through dry
coastal hillsides among giant ceiba trees. More than 200 species of
birds have been identified here, including the endangered giant
green macaw. A connection to the moist forests in the north has al-
lowed numerous other animals to survive here as well, including two
monkey species, wild pigs, and predatory cats.
The reserve, originally created by Cemento Nacional to discourage
people from visiting the limestone hills that they mined, also served
to protect the forest from poachers. Cemento Nacional has since
added to the size of the protected area and funded the Fundación Pro-
Bosque to administer research and manage tourism in the area.
The reserve (open daily, 8-4, entrance $5, camping $7) is at Km 15 on
the coastal highway (Vía la Costa) northwest of Guayaquil. The en-
trance sign andwhitewalls of the cement factory are on the north side
of the highway. It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the information
center from the highway. Call Fundación Pro-Bosque's downtown of-
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