Loja, provincial capital of Ecuador’s southern highlands

Long isolated from the rest of Ecuador and protected from foreign conquest, the quaint town of Loja is the provincial capital of the southern highlands of Ecuador. Its remoteness, encircled by hills, has allowed Loja to retain its charm and warm hospitality, giving it a unique character. Although transport has now greatly improved and the city is well connected to the rest of the country, Loja has managed to remain a relaxed town, culturally and economically self-sufficient.

Unlike in any other part of the country, influence from other cultures and ethnic diversity has no currency in Loja. There are very few mestizos and the Saraguros are the only indigenous people. The large majority of Lojanos are of European descent dating back to early colonial days.

Loja is known for its beautiful parks and well maintained city, as well as its general progressive stance. It was the first city in Ecuador to have electricity, and has won several international awards for its recycling projects and general attention to environment. Loja is particularly famous for its musicians and houses one of the few musical academies in the country. Musical events, either in venues or street performances are often held around town.

There are several noteworthy sights in Loja including some lovely churches such as El Valle church, the Cathedral and Santo Domingo church, which all boast beautiful painted interiors. Located on the main plaza, the Museo Historia y Cultura Lojana del Banco Central features interesting collections telling the folklore and history of Loja and its people.

Loja is also the main access point for the beautiful Parque Nacional Podocarpus, one of the most biologically diverse protected areas in the country. Spanning elevations between 950 and 3,700m, this park boasts an especially rich bird wildlife including several rare species. It is divided into two distinct areas, with an upper section of lush cloud forest, perfect for birdwatching, and a lower subtropical section covered with virgin and extraordinarily diverse rainforest.

This guide to visiting Loja in Ecuador’s Southern highlands was written by a Ecuador travel expert at Peru For Less available to help you custom design your exciting Ecuador vacations.