Guayacanes of the Dry Forest of Mangahurco

Mangahurco dry forest

• In the community of Mangahurco, located 320 kilometers away from the city of Loja and 187 kilometers from Arenillas, province of El Oro, gets painted in intense yellow with the first heavy rain of the year between January and February.    
• It is the most wonderful natural event: the flowering of the guayacanes, a spectacle of incomparable beauty, which occurs at the end of December and the beginning of January.  
• .This event takes place only once a year, it is estimated that it lasts six days, so national and foreign tourists move quickly to live this unique and life-transforming experience.
• During this time the residents of the cantons Celica, Pindal, Puyango, Zapotillo and Macará organize a fair with all their crops and crafts that have accumulated throughout the year to share with visitors.      
• The dry forest of Mangahurco has 40,000 hectares of guayacanes that are jealously cared for by its inhabitants, who saw in this natural event an opportunity for sustainable tourism development.    
• Since 1978, the inhabitants of Mangahurco , protect the forest as a real treasure, avoiding the felling of this dry forest, because this timber species require up to 200 years to reach 15 meters high. 
• In addition, tourists can visit the parishes of Bolaspamba and Cazaderos of the Zapotillo canton, in the province of Loja , where the flowering also dazzles with the impressive yellow color, spectacle of ancient guayacán trees.     
• Several activities await visitors, such as a 5km walk through the guayacanes forest, until they reach the resort called El Inca.  
• Its traditional gastronomy is another attraction; since there the exquisite dried goat also called "goat in the hole " is prepared here,  it is renowned for its peculiar underground cooking. The Seco de Gallina accompanied by cassava, squash and salad, as well as a delicious tamarind refreshment, which is a fruit from the region, are another culinary alternative.