Playa General Villamil is the main beach in the canton of Playas and lies opposite the city of Playas. In the town of General Villamil, knowledge of how to build and navigate traditional balsa rafts lives on in the memory and practice of some fishermen. If you are considering a stay in Playas, you can think of the beach, maritime traditions, and cultural and natural attractions as different reasons to choose the destination.
Balsa Rafts: Knowledge and Trips
In the canton of Playas, tourist trips on sailing rafts and excursions at sea in traditional balsa-wood boats are offered. The Huancavilca used boats like these for fishing in their time; their descendants, artisanal fishermen, have developed them for tourism. It is useful to distinguish between inherited skills and tourist use: the former concerns boatbuilding and navigation as a practice that continues among some fishermen, while the latter refers to trips on sailing rafts and balsa-wood boats. If a trip is important to your plans, check the dates and whether it is currently operating in advance.
Mangroves and Birdwatching
In the nearby Recinto Data de Villamil, a settlement belonging to the canton of Playas, is the Estero, or waterway, of Data de Villamil. It is surrounded by mangroves, where you can spot herons, cattle egrets, cormorants, frigatebirds and sandpipers, among other birds. The beach and the waterway offer different experiences: Playa General Villamil is the canton's main beach, while the nearby waterway highlights mangroves and birdwatching.
Activities in the Canton of Playas
In the canton of Playas, you can hike, enjoy ecotourism, take part in water sports—especially surfing—go paragliding and take photographs. The range of activities appeals to different interests: hiking and ecotourism sit alongside water sports, while paragliding and photography offer other options. If you want to plan your trip around a particular theme, this range can help you decide: are you mainly interested in the beach and water sports, nature and outdoor activities, or something else?
Art and Cultural Heritage
In the town of Playas, the Galeria de Arte Hugo Lara is located on Avda. Paquizha and Jaime RoldĂłs. It exhibits works by various artists in different techniques, as well as ceramic pieces from other cultures. Casa de Don Victor Estrada is associated with the historical and cultural heritage of the canton of Playas. The cultural scene thus ranges from art and ceramics to the canton's historical heritage.
Typical Dishes from Playas
Typical dishes in the canton of Playas include ceviches made with lobster, spiny lobster, shrimp, shellfish, fish, octopus or mixed ingredients. Other culinary traditions include arroz marinero, whole grilled fish, encebollado made with albacore and roasted oysters. The selection therefore ranges from ceviche with different ingredients to rice, fish and oyster dishes. If you want to include local cuisine in your travel plans, this selection offers specific dishes to consider.
Discover more destinations: Hacienda Nueva Fortuna, Balzar, La Delicia, Hacienda Santa Isabel, Las Piedras, Guayas, Carrizal, Palmar.
Go to the main travel overview: Guayas.
