Remains of the salt mines can still be seen near the center of Salinas. In ancestral times, these mines supplied several cities in the country with salt. Here, Bolívar’s salt history becomes tangible at a specific site.

Bolívar is one of Ecuador’s 24 provinces and lies in the central part of the country, in the inter-Andean Sierra region. The province is located mainly in the Chimbo depression in the south and on the outer slopes of the western cordillera in the west.

Guaranda: Architecture and Historical Memory

Guaranda’s historic center consists of houses built from local materials. Their construction is typical of the early 20th century; some buildings date back to the 19th century. The center is one of the city’s most important attractions. Its architectural features helped Guaranda earn designation as a cultural heritage site of Ecuador in 1997.

Another historic landmark is the square by Parque El Libertador. On November 10, 1820, Urdaneta proclaimed Guaranda’s independence on the steps of the former Cruz de Piedra. Cruz de Piedra was located at the southeast corner of the square.

The museum at Centro Cultural Indio Guaranga displays archaeological pieces from the Valdivia Manteña, Guangala, and Puruhá cultures. The Centro Cultural also houses an art gallery exhibiting works by various artists. Archaeological collections and displayed art can therefore be found side by side, although the two areas engage with Guaranda’s history in different ways.

Chimbo: Stone Heritage, Collections, and Cuisine

The Iglesia Matriz of Chimbo is built entirely of stone. It was declared a cultural heritage site under Ordinance No. 845, dated January 5, 1988. Its construction and the dated designation make it a distinct stop for anyone interested in the province’s architectural heritage.

Cuisine is another discovery in Chimbo: the courtyard of Plaza La Merced sells roasted pork hornado, round empanadas, tripitas with blood sausage, and the frozen drinks known as rompe nucas. Alongside its built surroundings, the plaza offers a culinary point of interest through these foods and drinks.

The museum at the Santuario Nacional de la Virgen del Guayco in the canton of Chimbo includes historical, religious, archaeological, and Shroud sections. It also features a permanent photo exhibition about the Shroud of Christ. The museum thus brings together several subject areas, from archaeology to its religious collection.

The Ruta de la Fe connects Rumipamba, El Tingo, and Panchigua Bajo with the Santuario del Guayco. Pilgrims and visitors use it to pay homage to the Virgen María Natividad del Guayco, the province’s patron saint. Many people travel the route in September, during the celebrations of the Virgen María Natividad del Guayco.

Salinas: Cheese, Processing, and Textiles

El Salinerito cheese is one of Salinas’s best-known products. It is available nationwide in large supermarkets and at its own retail outlets. Community-based microenterprises in Salinas also process milk, meat, fruit, wool, and other products industrially. These processed products are marketed domestically and exported to other countries, especially Italy.

The textiles made by the Asociación de Desarrollo Social de Artesanos TEXAL Salinas are another example of the local range of products. The organization in the parish of Salinas, in the canton of Guaranda, offers high-quality textiles made from natural fibers, as well as alpaca and sheep wool. Cheese, processed goods, and textiles thus represent different aspects of production in Salinas.

Routes and Outdoor Activities

The Camino de la Sal is designated as an adventure route in Bolívar Province. The Ruta de la Fe offers a different kind of connection: it links Rumipamba, El Tingo, and Panchigua Bajo with the Santuario del Guayco and is used by pilgrims and visitors. There is also a cycling track at Lago Las Cochas.

The Reserva Faunística Chimborazo is part of Bolívar Province’s ecotourism offering. Camelids originating from the páramos of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia have been reintroduced there. The reserve therefore represents a different focus from the designated adventure route, the Camino de la Sal: here, the focus is on the reintroduced animals and the ecological character of the offering.

Carnaval de Guaranda

Carnaval de Guaranda includes comparsas, public dances, pregones, counterstanzas, and a festival of typical foods. Its different elements combine community performances with a culinary component. For visitors interested in cultural expression and local food culture, Carnaval complements the historic and museum discoveries in Guaranda and Chimbo.

Discover more destinations: Salinas, San Miguel, Guaranda, Manabí, Carchi, Los Ríos, Orellana, Chimborazo.

For the broader travel overview: Ecuador.