Santa Isabel offers two distinct perspectives on a visit: nearby, the Mirador de Pilancón opens up views of the landscape and valley, while in the center, the Las Mil Gradas stairway and the main church provide their own cultural highlights. Mapanagua is another part of the local cuisine. When choosing accommodation in Santa Isabel, these specific interests may help you decide: views and high-altitude vegetation, art along a route through the city’s neighborhoods, religious history, or local food culture.
Landscape around Santa Isabel
Near Santa Isabel, the Mirador de Pilancón sits at an altitude of 1,800 meters. The climate is warm and humid, and high-altitude vegetation grows there. Its elevation, climate, and vegetation shape the landscape. From the viewpoint, you can see the Valle de Yunguilla and Cerro de Talshapa. According to a local legend, the Incas buried treasures there to hide them from the Spanish; the treasure story remains a legend. The road from Santa Isabel to Shaglli leads to the Mirador de Pilancón; the distance from the canton of Santa Isabel is given as five kilometers. Check the condition of the route before your visit.
Art and history in the center
Las Mil Gradas is in the center and connects the Plazoleta 20 de Enero and Amparito Tamariz neighborhoods. The stairway is more than 100 meters long, with artistic murals along various sections. It therefore connects two neighborhoods while bringing art to different points along the route. It complements Pilancón’s landscape setting with an urban perspective on Santa Isabel, where the neighborhoods and murals take center stage.
The main church of Santa Isabel is dedicated to the Virgen de las Mercedes. Its construction took more than 60 years. A local tradition of protection is also associated with the image of the Virgin: she is said to have protected Santa Isabel from Peruvian bombardments during the 1941 war. This attribution is part of local belief. The church’s construction history, dedication, and local tradition offer different points of reference for understanding its history.
During the 2021 celebration in honor of the Virgen de las Mercedes, musicians gathered in front of the main church after the procession. They waited for the image of the Virgin to be placed on a stage for the open-air Mass scheduled for 11 a.m.
A local connection to cuisine
Mapanagua also provides a specific local connection to cuisine. This drink made with sugarcane liquor is considered part of Santa Isabel’s cuisine. If you are interested in the destination’s culinary side, Mapanagua adds insight into local drink culture alongside the landscape, art, and history.
Discover more destinations: Chordeleg, Gualaceo, San Agustín, San Fernando, Paute, Cuenca, Baños
For the main travel overview: Azuay.
