Parque Jipiro

Location:
Loja, Ecuador

City Plaza

V!VA User‘s Description

One of the best known parks in Loja, Jipiro is north of the city and spans 10 hectares. It is well-kept, clean and a great place to take a stroll. There is a lake, sports fields, a “cyber train” with internet service, a zoo, and pools, as well as many replicas of the world’s great buildings. It is possible to camp here and on the weekends it fills up with Lojano families who come for the many activities and events.

One of the buildings houses a planetarium: shows cost 25 cents and are well worth it, if just for the humor value. The planetarium screen is the size of a large beach umbrella and the show basically consists of a guy with a slide projector showing dim photos from a science textbook on one section of the ceiling while the voice-over talks about planets, comets and constellations. It lasts about 15 minutes and shows continually, whenever the seats fill up, which usually doesn’t take long, especially on weekends.

Masochists will enjoy an interesting ride; for a quarter a guy will strap you into a gyroscope-looking thing and give you a hearty spin. The paddleboats are also fun for a couple of bucks.

Getting There
In the North of the city, a few blocks East of the bus terminal. Five minutes from city center by bus marked “Jipiro” from Universitaria.

Price Description: Paddleboats- $2 for 30 minutes

Planetarium- $0.25

Horse back riding- $0.50 for 30 minutes (Sat and Sun only)

Bike- $2 per hour

Pool- $1.20 per hour, $0.60 for children

Travel Skills: None

Contact Information:
Phone: 258-3357 (ext 251)

Traveler Reviews of Parque Jipiro

Fun times

Rating: 100%

The park has a little bit of everything -from animals to paddleboats to vendors, you will not be in for a dull afternoon.

By V!VA User from Portland, Oregon , May 21, 2008