River beaches, a vast wetland and places with diverse historical connections shape the discoveries to be made in Los Ríos. Wildlife watching and swimming spots sit alongside museums, regional traditions and memorial sites. Each location offers a different way to explore the province—from its wildlife to its cultural history.
River Landscapes and Seasonal Nature
The Abras de Mantequilla wetland takes up a particularly large area: it covers approximately 22,500 hectares and is recognized under the Ramsar Convention. Visitors can observe 127 bird species and more than 20 aquatic species there. The wetland’s wildlife also includes mammals, reptiles and fish. Those interested in birdwatching will find a specific point of interest here, in a landscape that is also home to other groups of species.
Riverbanks also offer a range of experiences. The Balneario San Pablo in Valencia has river beaches suitable for swimming and fishing. Ecuavóley championships are held there during Carnival. The Balneario Chipe is described as having a clear-water river, a riverside promenade, huts and sports fields.
Zapotal has a seasonal highlight: in summer, a beach forms there and is visited by residents and tourists every year. Los Ángeles has a different character: it is a rural settlement and parish in a valley along the Río Sibimbe, surrounded by waterfalls and other rivers. An annually visited summer beach and a valley landscape surrounded by waterways and waterfalls thus offer contrasting natural attractions.
Culture, History and Regional Cuisine
In Vinces, an annual regatta and a long history of cocoa production come together. The Regata Guayaquil–Vinces covers 63.4 nautical miles from Guayaquil to Vinces, takes place every year in March and has been held since 1957. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the exact dates in advance. The Ruta del Cacao Arriba offers a different perspective on the past: it originated in Vinces in the early 16th century. Its production area included Vinces and other cantons in Los Ríos Province; the cocoa was transported along the Río Guayas to Guayaquil and from there exported to Europe.
The Museo Histórico Cultural Los Chonos in Recinto El Recuerdo, in Vinces canton, preserves the history, archaeology and traditions of the canton and Los Ríos Province. It was established to strengthen community-based tourism and inaugurated in September 2025. Vinces’s historical profile also includes the Castillo de Vinces, which is considered a cultural heritage site of historical value.
Babahoyo can be understood in terms of its location on the Río Babahoyo. The river is fed, among others, by the Catarama, San Pablo, Zapotal, Puebloviejo and Vinces rivers. Casa Olmedo is located in La Virginia, in the parish of El Salto near Babahoyo. It is recognized as part of Ecuador’s cultural heritage because of the historical significance of the Tratado de la Virginia and its connection to José Joaquín de Olmedo. There, he found inspiration for composing “La Victoria de Junín,” also known as “Canto a Bolívar.” Babahoyo’s montubio traditions are also considered part of Ecuador’s cultural heritage.
In Quevedo, the Centro Cultural Marco Cortés focuses on the canton’s history and development. It includes an archaeological museum with pieces from various pre-Columbian cultures, particularly the Milagro-Quevedo culture, as well as an auditorium for cultural and artistic activities. Students and tourists visit the Museo Municipal every day to expand their cultural knowledge. The two places have different focuses: archaeological collections and a space for cultural activities at one, and daily visits aimed at cultural education at the other.
Local dishes are also among Valencia’s distinctive features. The Balneario Chipe is known for typical dishes such as Bollo de pescado, tortillas and Corbiches de verde. Mi Esterito, a tourist bathing destination in Valencia, is associated with fried tilapia, caldo, seco de gallina criolla and tongas. Alongside river landscapes and cultural sites, the province thus also offers specific culinary experiences.
Discover more destinations: Santa Rita, Vinces, Quevedo, Montalvo, Galápagos, Morona Santiago, Loja, Chimborazo.
For the broader travel overview: Ecuador.
