"b1bob goes country even in Ecuador" Provincia de Imbabura by b1bob

Provincia de Imbabura Travel Guide: 194 reviews and 528 photos

Natives, lakes, woodwork and cuy - Provincia de Imbabura

The Province of Imbabura is only 80 km. (50 miles) north of Quito on the Pan American highway. However, it was a world away from the daily rush of urban life. Early one Saturday morning, Sergio, Christina, Thea, and I left Cumbayá for a day trip to the countryside. I am going to include a few things from the rural parts of Pichincha in this page because Quito is my town page and this is my country page. When I think of Imbabura, five things come to mind:

- Native Americans
- lakes
- textiles
- woodwork
- cuy

As suburbia gives way to the countryside, the first thing you notice are the hot houses in which Ecuador’s rose industry thrives. Northern Pichincha and Ibambura are also dairy country. There is a special cheese here called queso de hoja. As you go down along the Pan American highway, you begin to see the lakes. On the way to the market in Otavalo, you pass by Lago San Paulo. Clothes in the city are very expensive, but the textile mills here make the savings well worth the price of petrol driving from the city. If you are interested in woodwork, the village of San Antonio de Ibarra is home to expert wood carvers. All along the road are fritaderías and cuyerías, restaurants that only specialise in pork and guinea pig. You can get both delicacies in the city, but you pay half in the countryside of Imbabura. Sadly, this was only a day trip, but going here had more impact than anything else in the entire 10 days I was in Ecuador.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Cheaper prices, a slower paced way of life, a more picturesque landscape.
Cons:Bad roads in spots.
In a nutshell:When you visit Quito, you have to come here.

Last visit to Provincia de Imbabura: Nov 2007
Intro Updated Nov 20, 2007
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Reviews (15)

Mitad del Mundo for the natives - Provincia de Imbabura

Mitad del Mundo for the natives Favorites (5)

There is even a quarrel between the "gringos" (any white person, not just American or European tourists who insist on... more travel advice

El Quinche church Favorites (5)

The village of El Quinche is famous for its big church, as large as the monasteries and cathedrals of colonial Quito.... more travel advice

greenhouses where they grow roses - Provincia de Imbabura

a budding rose industry Favorites (5)

I wasn't aware of Ecuador's rose industry until a lady on one of my flights down mentioned it to me. At that time, I had... more travel advice

Queso de Hoja Local Customs (4)

The area around Cayambe is noted for its dairy products including its cheeses. It is called by many American tourists... more travel advice

Things to Do (1)
Otavalo Market
Sports & Outdoors (1)
Lago San Paulo
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Comments (17)

MalenaN Sep 15, 2011 at 10:45 AM Report Abuse

I drank a lot of Tomate de Arbol-juice when I was in Ecuador, but unfortunately I never tried cuy. I have to do that next time!
malianrob Aug 29, 2010 at 9:25 PM Report Abuse

Hi Nat, Imbabura is my favorite place in Ecuador. I love the counrtyside.
matcrazy1 Sep 26, 2009 at 4:17 PM Report Abuse

I like your tips on local food especially. Haha, I am not sure if guinea pig is available anywhere in Poland. My dream is to drive from Alaska (the Arctic Ocean) to Tierra del Fuego :-)! I should save to buy used fwd car in the USA to do it.
MikeAtSea Jul 12, 2009 at 7:36 AM Report Abuse

Awesome!! The Pan Americana - one of my biggest travel dreams!! Stunning page! Michael
ligaya Dec 25, 2008 at 6:51 AM Report Abuse

magnificent. thanks a lot. great page.
HasTowelWillTravel Jul 11, 2008 at 9:42 AM Report Abuse

I loved the tomate de arbol all through Ecuador, and the aji they made from it. I slathered it on everything. mmmmm.
BillNJ Jun 1, 2008 at 11:02 AM Report Abuse

Bob, the fried cuy looks interesting. Also, I like the photos of the street vendors. Best from New Jersey, Bill
zrim Dec 27, 2007 at 7:58 PM Report Abuse

I'm glad to see that you ate the petite pigs. Wouldn't be a successful trip to the country without that experience.
Ewingjr98 Dec 16, 2007 at 11:57 AM Report Abuse

Another great page from your recent trip! Joe
josephescu Dec 9, 2007 at 11:36 AM Report Abuse

Excellent tips, Nat! Hope to taste a guineea pig soon myself :-)