Information Sheet Last Updated: 2005

 

Bolivar

Population: 183,665. One of Ecuador’s smaller and less-visited provinces, Bolívar lies between coast and mountains, abutting the western slopes of Chimborazo volcano. The bus ride between Riobamba and the quiet, colonial capital of Guaranda is spectacular, and scenery along the Ambato-Guaranda road is equally lovely.

Air and train access: none
Buses: direct service to Guaranda from Quito, Ambato, Riobamba, Guayaquil (via Babahoyo)

Guaranda
Salinas de Guaranda

Guaranda
Population: 20,474. A quiet, attractive town built on and around rolling hills, the capital of Bolívar province usually enjoys a pleasant climate but can occasionally get cold and foggy. Transport to the coast is possible during the dry season. Guaranda goes wild during carnival with dances, parades and lots of water-throwing. These celebrations are said to be the craziest in Ecuador. There’s market on Wednesday and Saturday.

Hotels

Complejo Turístico La Colina
980-666, 981-954
Av. Guayaquil 117
$14.40 single
$17.11 double
Facilities open to public 8am – 6:30pm at for $1.20 (pool only) or $2.40 (all facilities).

Hotel Cochabamba
( 981-958, 982-124, Fax: 982-125
Garcia Moreno, near 7 de Mayo
$2 / 5 (+22%) single (shared/private bath)
$4 / 7 (+22%) double
$6 / 9 (+22%) triple
$15 (+22%) in room for six
$2-3 for restaurant entrées
$2 for set lunch

Hotel Santa Fe
981-526
10 de Agosto 804 y 9 de Abril
$3 (+12%) pp, shared bath
$4 (+12%) pp, private bath
Electric showerheads.

Residencial Acapulco
( 981-953
10 de Agosto 806 y 9 de Abril
$5 per person with bathroom
$3 per person without bathroom
Clean and basic, TV, hot water

Salinas de Guaranda
Not to be confused with the better-known Salinas on the coast of Guayas, this is a great little town of 5,000 people, 1.5 hours from Guaranda and 3,500 meters high at the end of a long river valley. This is a good area for walking with beautiful scenery and possible Chimborazo views. Salinas is noted for its cooperatives: cheese-making, dried mushrooms, sweaters, chocolates. Tours of some facilities are possible.

To get there : three direct buses daily from Guaranda, except Sundays. Or take a bus from Guaranda along the Ambato road to “4 Esquinas” (the intersection with the Salinas road). From there, it’s a long walk (20km, mostly uphill), but it’s usually possible to hitch a ride on a camioneta. Other

Hotel Refugio Salinas
981253
Gen. Enrique y Candido Rada.
$7 per person per day
Nice, clean, decent and reasonable breakfast and dinners. Private bathroom.

Oficina de Turismo
on the main plaza
$1 for guide and info. service
Bicycles & horses can also be organized.

Quese ra de la Cooperativa Salinas
Open: 8 am – 4 pm
Arrange tours through Oficina de Turismo.