Tupus and textiles are made in the community of Las Lagunas, making this an interesting cultural excursion. Catch a bus ($0.20, 10 minutes) from the main road, or get walking directions at Saraurku.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
23.75 MILES
With perhaps more pomp and circumstance than you'll encounter anywhere else in Loja, the City Gate greets you into downtown from the northern corner. It's…
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24.35 MILES
This fun museum located in an old school explores the lives of famous musicians who hailed from Loja (most peaking in success during the golden 1890–1940…
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24.28 MILES
On the south side of Parque Central, a characterful republican-era building houses this museum and its exhibits, which include good local art, archaeology…
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22.62 MILES
North of town, this kid-friendly park offers a giant chessboard, a skate park, a Chinese pagoda, a pint-size Kremlin, small animal enclosures and a…
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24.58 MILES
The plaza is hemmed in by the Church of San Sebastián and colonial-era buildings with pillared overhangs and shuttered wooden balconies. A brightly tiled…
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24.35 MILES
Make a beeline a block south of Parque Central for this plaza, mainly notable for the Church of Santo Domingo, adorned with religious paintings.
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26.88 MILES
Almost 5km south of the center, the 90-hectare reserve has excellent trails. You’ll need to cab it here ($1.25).
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24.92 MILES
Loja's best viewpoint is at the top of the cable car from Parque Pucará, 1km south of Plaza de la Independencia up Olmedo. Walk or get a taxi ($1) to the…
Nearby attractions
1.15 MILES
Just north of town on the Panamericana, this nature area has impressive waterfalls and large rock formations.
1.4 MILES
The community of Tuncarta is known for producing fine Saraguro hats. Catch a bus ($0.20, 10 minutes) from the main road, or get walking directions at…
3. Parque La Banda/Orillas de Zamora
21.57 MILES
North of town, this nice park has a small zoo and a beautifully designed Orquideario with over 200 species of orchids from southern Ecuador.
22.62 MILES
North of town, this kid-friendly park offers a giant chessboard, a skate park, a Chinese pagoda, a pint-size Kremlin, small animal enclosures and a…
23.75 MILES
With perhaps more pomp and circumstance than you'll encounter anywhere else in Loja, the City Gate greets you into downtown from the northern corner. It's…
24.12 MILES
A block north of the Parque Central, this smallish plaza is crowned by a statue of the city’s founder astride his horse.
24.23 MILES
Watch the devotees stepping inside for their daily devotions to the Virgen del Cisne.
24.24 MILES
Loja’s main square is always busy with shoeshine boys, newspaper vendors and local devotees stepping into the cathedral for their daily devotions to the…