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Zaruma

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City
—°6
Zaruma (Ecuador)
ℹ️

Practical info — Zaruma

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Wear very sturdy, comfortable shoes; the cobblestone streets are incredibly steep and slippery when wet.
  • Visit the El Sexmo tourist mine to experience the city's gold mining history firsthand.
  • The weather can change quickly, bringing mist and cooler temperatures in the evening, so pack layers.
  • Keep an eye out for the beautifully preserved wooden architecture with its colorful balconies in the historic center.

🍽 Food

🍽
Tigrillo

This mashed green plantain dish with egg and cheese was invented here! Try it at the cafes on the main square.

🍽
Café de Zaruma

Excellent local coffee, best enjoyed in a traditional coffee house.

🍽
Empanadas

Deep-fried pastries, well-suited for a quick snack while exploring.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Local Coffee Beans

Buy a bag directly from the local roasters near the town center.

🛍
Gold jewelry

The town is well-known for its fine artisanal gold work.

🧘
Plaza de la Independencia

The main square, an excellent spot for people-watching.

🧘
Cerro El Calvario viewpoint

Provides fantastic panoramic views over the town and the green valleys.

Zaruma, officially known as 'Villa Real de San Antonio del Cerro de Oro de Zaruma,' is one of Ecuador's oldest and most architecturally significant cities, located in the El Oro Province. Perched in the Andean foothills at an elevation of approximately 1,150 meters, the city has a storied history inextricably linked to gold mining. Founded by Spanish colonizers in 1549, the site was already being mined by indigenous cultures long before the conquest. Zaruma is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list, primarily for its unique architectural heritage: the city is composed almost entirely of intricately decorated wooden houses built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries along steep slopes and narrow streets. Its cultural landmarks include the magnificent Virgen del Carmen Church and a local mining museum that chronicles the arduous labor of past generations. Beyond gold, Zaruma is famous for its award-winning high-altitude coffee and the local culinary specialty known as 'Tigrillo.' Today, the city navigates the structural challenges posed by centuries of underground mining while striving to preserve its historic charm for future generations.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Aug–Oct.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C171717171717171718181817
Rain mm69100115714434251920414650

Geography

Population
12,505 (2024)
Coordinates
-3.69130, -79.61190

Facts

  • Zaruma was founded by Spanish settlers in 1549.
  • The city has been on the UNESCO tentative list since 1998.
  • It is famous for its uniquely preserved 19th-century wooden architecture.
  • Zaruma sits at an elevation of 1,150 meters above sea level.
  • Mining operations in the 'Cerro de Oro' date back to the Inca Empire.
  • The city is the birthplace of 'Tigrillo', a famous Ecuadorian dish.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Zaruma Coffee FarmZaruma Coffee Farm<1 km · NExplore →
PiñasPiñas8 km · SExplore →
NaranjalNaranjal20 km · EExplore →
Sanctuary of the Virgin of El CisneSanctuary of the Virgin of El Cisne21 km · NExplore →
PasajePasaje23 km · SExplore →
Manglares Churute Ecological ReserveManglares Churute Ecological Reserve24 km · EExplore →
El GuaboEl Guabo26 km · SExplore →
Yacuri National ParkYacuri National Park29 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Zaruma (6)

Monumneto Pique Americano🏺 historical

This monument commemorates Zaruma's rich gold-mining heritage, specifically highlighting the historical impact of the American mining operations in the city.

El Sexmo Mina Turística📍 landmark

As one of the oldest gold mines in the region, this subterranean tourist attraction allows visitors to walk through authentic, historic mining tunnels.

The Magnet Turner🏛 museum

This local museum preserves the industrial machinery and tools that powered the extensive gold extraction operations in Zaruma's past.

La Chorrera📍 landmark

Cascading down the rocky terrain near Zaruma, this natural waterfall attraction provides a refreshing retreat surrounded by native vegetation.

Mirador turístico 5 de Agosto🌿 nature

Overlooking the historic wooden houses of Zaruma, this scenic viewpoint is named after the city's date of independence and features sweeping municipal vistas.

Iglesia Evangélica📍 landmark

Adding to the diverse religious landscape of Zaruma, this Evangelical church provides a modern, dedicated gathering hall for Protestant worshippers.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Zaruma a world heritage site?
Due to its unique wooden architecture and historical significance as a gold-mining town.
Can you visit the gold mines of Zaruma?
Yes, the 'El Sexmo' mine is open to tourists and showcases the history of mining since colonial times.
What is 'Tigrillo'?
Zaruma's most famous dish made from green plantains, eggs, and cheese; often served with the best local coffee.
How is the atmosphere in the city?
It is a characterful city with steep streets, colorful wooden houses, and friendly people.
Where can you find the best view of the city?
From 'El Calvario' hill or the viewpoints at the edge of the city, you get a great panorama.
Zaruma: where is it located?
Zaruma is located in Ecuador.
Zaruma: what is there to see?
Highlights include Monumneto Pique Americano, El Sexmo Mina Turística, The Magnet Turner.
Zaruma: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Aug, Oct.
Zaruma: why is it worth visiting?
Zaruma, officially known as 'Villa Real de San Antonio del Cerro de Oro de Zaruma,' is one of Ecuador's oldest and most architecturally significant cities, located in the El Oro Province.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Machala — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Machala
Often referred to as the banana capital of the world.
Pasaje — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Pasaje
A sunny city whose economy depends heavily on banana and cocoa cultivation.
Santa Rosa — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Santa Rosa
Known for its excellent shrimp farming and small regional airport.
Huaquillas — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Huaquillas
A bustling border town serving as the main commercial crossing between Ecuador and Peru.
El Guabo — Zaruma (Ecuador)
El Guabo
An agricultural center characterized by its cooperative banana farmers.
Arenillas — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Arenillas
An arid town with a military presence near the Peruvian border in El Oro.
Piñas — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Piñas
The orchid city of the Andes, famous for its floral diversity and foggy forests.
Naranjal — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Naranjal
The starting point for excursions to indigenous communities and the hot springs of Churute.
Catamayo — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Catamayo
The sunny valley of Loja, known for its sugarcane fields and regional airport.
Milagro — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Milagro
The sweetest city in Ecuador, named after its extensive sugarcane production.
Yaguachi — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Yaguachi
An important religious pilgrimage site for the veneration of San Jacinto in Ecuador.
Naranjito — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Naranjito
A lively small town characterized by extensive banana and cocoa fields.
El Triunfo — Zaruma (Ecuador)
El Triunfo
An agricultural hub connecting the provinces of Guayas and Chimborazo.
Samborondón — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Samborondón
A wealthy suburban community known for its exclusive residential complexes and historic rice fields.
Durán — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Durán
An industrial city connected to Guayaquil by a bridge over the Guayas River.

History & landmarks

Sanctuary of the Virgin of El Cisne — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Sanctuary of the Virgin of El Cisne
A monumental Gothic church in the mountain town of El Cisne, the center of one of Ecuador's largest pilgrimages.
Cerro Santa Ana Lighthouse — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Cerro Santa Ana Lighthouse
A picturesque lighthouse at the top of Cerro Santa Ana, reached after climbing 444 steps.
George Capwell Stadium — Zaruma (Ecuador)
George Capwell Stadium
Home of the Emelec football club, known for its steep English-style stands and electrifying atmosphere.
Monumental Stadium — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Monumental Stadium
The largest football stadium in Ecuador and home to the famous Barcelona Sporting Club in Guayaquil.

More places

Zaruma Coffee Farm — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Zaruma Coffee Farm
Traditional coffee plantations in the mountainous region of El Oro, famous for some of the best Arabica beans in South America.
Port of El Oro Province — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Port of El Oro Province
The official name for Puerto Bolívar, a multipurpose port crucial for the export of bananas, shrimp, and gold.
🗺️
Arenillas Ecological Reserve
This reserve protects the tropical dry forest on the coast of Ecuador, which is home to many endemic species.
🗺️
Yasuní National Park
Yasuní National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, a vast area of pristine rainforest in the Ecuadorian Amazon basin.
🗺️
Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve
An important mangrove conservation area in the Guayas delta, home to a rich waterfowl population.
Yacuri National Park — Zaruma (Ecuador)
Yacuri National Park
An important ecosystem in southern Ecuador that protects the montane cloud forests and páramo landscape.
🗺️
Frutadeli Pineapple Export
A leading agricultural company specializing in the cultivation and export of high-quality pineapples.
🗺️
Ingenio Valdez Sugar Mill
One of the oldest and largest sugar mills in the country, processing sugarcane from the Guayas province.