Rumi-Wilco Ecolodge

Top choice in Vilcabamba

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A 10-minute walk from the bus station up a track over the river, Rumi-Wilco has a series of remote houses, cabins and camping spaces within the evergreen confines of the 40-hectare Rumi-Wilco Nature Reserve. Adobe houses have attractive rooms with well-equipped communal kitchens (great for small groups) but our favorites are the rustic cabins on stilts – again with very impressive kitchens!

Solar-heated showers are down below the cabins, and are surprisingly hot. Good form dictates that if you enter the reserve as a nonguest, you make a small donation for using their trails.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Medieval style castle known as the gateway to the city of Loja, Ecuador.

    Puerta de la Ciudad

    18.48 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…

  • Museo de la Música

    Museo de la Música

    17.89 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…

  • Podocarpus National Park

    Podocarpus National Park

    13.85 MILES

    This national park fills in much of the triangle between Loja, Zamora and Vilcabamba, as well as a huge swath to the southeast. Because altitude ranges so…

  • Lagunas de los Compadres

    Lagunas de los Compadres

    9.43 MILES

    Branching off from the Los Miradores Loop Trail is the challenging but enticing 14.5km trail to the two dozen or more lakes that make up the remote…

  • Tapichalaca Reserve

    Tapichalaca Reserve

    16.52 MILES

    The small Tapichalaca Reserve, 75km south of Vilcabamba, protects one of Ecuador’s most rare and endangered birds, the jocotoco antpitta (Grallaria…

  • Refugio Ecológico Tzanka

    Refugio Ecológico Tzanka

    22.06 MILES

    Head a block southwest of the main plaza and hang a right on the dead-end lane to find this wildlife rescue center. Housing colorful parrots, coatis (big,…

  • Museo de la Cultura Lojana

    Museo de la Cultura Lojana

    17.97 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…

  • Clock

    Clock

    22.28 MILES

    Zamora's most famous landmark is the huge clock on the hill above the bus station, attractively decorated with flowers. The minute hand is 11.34m long…

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Nearby Vilcabamba attractions

1. Church

0.57 MILES

Small church on the south side of the Central Plaza.

2. Lagunas de los Compadres

9.43 MILES

Branching off from the Los Miradores Loop Trail is the challenging but enticing 14.5km trail to the two dozen or more lakes that make up the remote…

3. Podocarpus National Park

13.85 MILES

This national park fills in much of the triangle between Loja, Zamora and Vilcabamba, as well as a huge swath to the southeast. Because altitude ranges so…

5. Parque Universitario PUEAR

15.4 MILES

Almost 5km south of the center, the 90-hectare reserve has excellent trails. You’ll need to cab it here ($1.25).

6. Tapichalaca Reserve

16.52 MILES

The small Tapichalaca Reserve, 75km south of Vilcabamba, protects one of Ecuador’s most rare and endangered birds, the jocotoco antpitta (Grallaria…

7. Mirador Teléferico

17.35 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…

8. Calle Lourdes

17.58 MILES

This narrow lane is the oldest colonial street in Loja. There are some nice art galleries here (if only the street were pedestrianized, they would be much…