Page Importance:
Book a Hotel or Hostel
Loja
Founded in 1548 by Alonso de Mercadillo, Loja is somewhat of a political and cultural island, surrounded by mountains and stranded at the far southern end of Ecuador. Besides being the provincial capital, Loja warrants recognition as the first city in Ecuador to generate electricity (1897). Today, Loja is an intellectually and architecturally unique city, boasting two universities set among a peculiar mix of urban concrete and colonial structures.
Approximately 500 meters lower than most southern cities, Loja enjoys noticeably warmer weather — an appropriate complement to its congenial cultural climate and exuberant atmosphere. There is a lot to see and do in Loja. Situated around the sprawling palm-tree studded central park are a number of interesting buildings, including the Cathedral, Casa de Justicia, which houses the Museo del Banco Central, and the modern municipio, with its pleasant courtyard and vibrant murals, which play out various indigenous scenes. Beyond the park, further south along BolĂvar from the Iglesia Santo Domingo, is the Plaza de la Independencia, where the citizens of Loja gathered on November 18, 1820 to denounce the Spanish Crown and assert their independence. Perhaps the most attractive section of the city, the square is enlivened by the brightly painted facades of colonial-style buildings, and neatly framed by resplendent hills rising in the distance.
Between the historic center of the city and the northern areas, you’ll find the Entrada a la Cuidad, a towering structure designed to look like a medieval castle gatehouse. The building houses an art museum and snack bar and is worth a quick visit.
Beyond the city center and its magnificent squares are the Parque de RecreaciĂłn Jipiro, Parque La Argelia and JardĂn Botánico Reynaldo Espinosa, all perfect for day-strolls. For stunning panoramic views of the city, head up to the statue of the Virgen de Fátima, sitting in the hills east of the city. Located just beyond Loja, Parque Nacional Podocarpus offers more sweeping views and stunning landscapes to explore.
Most visitors to Loja are delighted to discover that the city is still quite inexpensive. You can stay and eat for less money than you can in most of the rest of Ecuador. As for lodging in Loja, visitors have several options: you’ll find dirt-cheap hostels, elegant, classy hotels and everything in between. Restaurants in Loja tend towards the regional. Most of the food you’ll find is heavy southern Ecuadorian fare, heavy on the soups and pork, but there are a few places that feature international cuisine.
,
Other places nearby Loja: Bulcay, Baños (Cuenca), Agato, Chordeleg, Gualaceo, Vilcabamba, Jima, Cuenca, Girón and Sigsig.
| New! - Ecological Adventures in Ecuador The prized Ecotour Operator Tropic Eco, organizes expeditions in the Amazon region of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. www.tropiceco.com |
| 5 days Galapagos from $630 Tropic Eco is organizing a Multisport Adventure in the Galapagos Islands. Fixed departures. www.tropiceco.com |
Top Restaurants in Loja
Diego’s Café Restaurant
Hidden away in an old colonial house, Diego’s has very elegant upstairs seating overlooking a green courtyard. The menu includes an enormous variety of both typical Lojano and international foods: ...Loja, Ecuador
Topoli
Come to Topoli if you are looking for a quick fix for your sweet tooth. Serving a variety of cakes and ice cream Sundays, along with the best coffee and yogurt in town, this small cafeteria also ...Loja, Ecuador
Gino Ginelli
This all-in-one pizzeria will satisfy the cravings of anyone. Though a bit dark, a long list of different pizzas, most for $3-4, as well as breakfast, burgers, a variety of ice cream flavors, and a ...Loja, Ecuador
Café Real
This cute café serves typical Lojano food, including breakfasts, lunch, and other traditional treats like humitas, tamales, quimbolitos, bolones and empanadas. Café Real has a local Lojano flavor ...Loja, Ecuador
Casa Lojana Restaurant
Casa Lojana is a fancy hotel and restaurant located outside of Loja in a converted home. It is owned and operated by the University of Loja, which uses it as a teaching tool for its students involved ...Loja, Ecuador
Things to See and Do in Loja
Podocarpus National Park
Podocarpus National Park is one of the jewels of Southern Ecuador and is named after the Podocarpus tree, the only native conifer in the Ecuadorian Andes. Spanning 1,462 square kilometers of Andean ...Loja, Ecuador
Museo del Banco Central
This museum contains an extensive collection of archaeological pieces, including 10,000-year-old weapons and tools from the region around Loja, and other objects pertaining to the most well-known
...Loja, Ecuador
Parque Jipiro
One of the best known parks in Loja, Jipiro is north of the city and spans 10 hectares. There is a lake, sports fields, a "cyber train" with internet service, a zoo, and pools, as well as
...Loja, Ecuador
Entrada a la Ciudad
Also known as Puerta de la Ciudad (Portal de la Ciudad), the Entrada a la Ciudad de Loja is without a doubt Loja’s most recognizable landmark. Built to look like a medieval gatehouse, complete with
...Loja, Ecuador
Museo de la Musica (Museum of Music)
This small museum, set around a sunny courtyard, is dedicated to the musicians and composers of Loja. The displays include many of their original instruments and sheet music. The museum also has ...Loja, Ecuador
Municipal Building
On the corner of the Parque Principal in Loja is the Municipal Building, a good reference point that offers a wealth of information. There is a public library, which includes a braille ...Loja, Ecuador
Parque Universitario La Arquelia
La Arquelia is a beautiful 90 hectare park on the edge of the city. There are 7 km of excellent hiking trails that go through forest, streams and the parámo. There is a small museum and information ...Loja, Ecuador
Top Hotels in Loja
Central Park Hostal
The Central Park Hostal is located right on Loja’s central square, not far from the cathedral. The rooms, which feature pinkish satin bedspreads that make the place look like the set for a bad
...Loja, Ecuador
Hotel Libertador
The Hotel Libertador is the best of the hotels located in Loja’s historic district. The interior is dimly lit and gloomy, and the whole place has a "seen-better-days" feel to it, but the
...Loja, Ecuador
Quo Vadis
One of the newest hotels in Loja (completed in early 2007), the Quo Vadis is a modern, reasonably priced and well located within walking distance of Jipiro Park. The Quo Vadis features a restaurant,
...Loja, Ecuador
Hotel Acapulco
Dank and dismal, the Hotel Acapulco is about as cheery as a morgue. Presumably the building once saw better days, but those days are a fading memory. The rooms are slightly brighter than the murky
...Loja, Ecuador
Hotel Londres
The Hotel Londres is located in an old, unassuming building that was obviously cut in half at some point in the past. Tall and narrow, the hostel has 12 rooms with a varying number of beds in each at
...Loja, Ecuador
Casa Lojana
Casa Lojana is one of Loja’s best high-budget options. The building that houses the hotel was once an elegant home, which has since been converted. There are gardens, balconies, a fine restaurant
...Loja, Ecuador
Hostal Aguilera Internacional
Located directly across the street from the impossible-to-miss Entrada de la Ciudad, the Hostal Aguilera Internacional is an airy, bright hotel with small, clean rooms, ample parking, and an array of
...Loja, Ecuador
Hostal Las OrquĂdeas
Probably the all-around best low-budget lodging option in downtown Loja, Las OrquĂÂdeas is a small, but clean and friendly, hostal just around the corner from the central park. The rooms are neat
...Loja, Ecuador
Saraguro Rikuy
Simple rooms are run by Saraguro Rikuy, a nonprofit community tourism network supporting community development through education about tradition, the environment and sustainable development. Doubles ...Loja, Ecuador
Internacional
For those looking to stay the night on a shoestring, the Internacional is a budgeter’s standby. Rooms are modest, but clean and have private baths. ...Loja, Ecuador
View Loja Map
Advertise | Anúnciese | Jobs | Alliances | Alianzas | Terms of Use | Contact Us | About Us | Blog | Administradores |
