Loja:

Overview | Orientation I Tourist information I Fun I Festivals I Shopping I Tour operators I Transport I General interest I Sightseeing I Accommodation I Restaurants I Museums I Write a review about Loja

Overview

Loja was founded in 1548 by a Spaniard captain named Alonso de Mercadillo and is recorded as one of the older towns in Ecuadorian history as well as being one of the earliest to have electricity as a result of a hydroelectric dam construction in the previous century providing up to 34 kilowatts.

The city has around 130,000 inhabitants and also possesses two universities, a law school and a music facility.
Loja is often used as a stay over point for people traveling from and to Peru. It's set in a basin with surrounding dry mountainous area. Do try to avoid Loja during the rainy season between June and July that often has torrential rains creating landslides.

Orientation

The center in Loja is congested. Most of the hotels are nestled to the west of the main cathedral.

La Toma airport (Catamayo), is 45 minutes from the city center. A taxi will take you there for about US$4.00. There are also buses to Loja for US$1.00. But, this is not recommended if you have a heavy luggage. The bus station (terminal) is located at Av. Gran Colombia e Isidro Ayora (north of the city center).

The bus station has an information desk at the entrance, a Pacifictel office and several shops. You have to pay a tax fee of US$0.20 by the main entrance. Frequent local buses are available to the center (10 minutes). A taxi to the city center is around US$1.00.

Tourist information

Ministerio de Turismo.- Address: Valdiviezo 08-22 and 10 de Agosto. Tel. 572964, Fax: 570485.

Bars & Discos

Free Days.- This bar has a special decoration and unique feel. It also offers karaoke (English or Spanish) and great food. Address: Across from La Siembra bar.

Music Bar.- Bar. Address: J.J. Peña and Azuay.

La Siembra.- Cool rustic bar-pizzería. Address: Prolongación 24 de Mayo, Ciudadela Zamora.

Fiesta.- Disco (varied music). Cozy and cool ambience. Address: 10 de Agosto 10-59 and J.José Peña.

El Bielero.- Disco (varied music). Address: Rio Zamora and Bernardo Valdivieso.

Festivals

In August 16-20, the Fiesta de la Virgen del Cisne (Virgen of the swan) celebration takes place in Loja. The statue of the Virgen del Cisne travels around the whole province during this month together with thousands of faithful Catholics in a procession. The procession takes a 3 day (70 km) walk from El Cisne to the Loja cathedral, which starts on the 17th of August.

Shopping

For food supplies the Mercado (See Sightseeing) on 10 de Agosto behind the Cathedral, has a good selection.

Cer-Art Ceramics.- Pre-Colombian ceramics. Located at the Universidad Técnica de Loja.

Procuero.- Leather crafts. Address: Av. 8 de Diciembre 13-47.

Ceramics Plaza.- Ceramics. Located above the Universidad Técnica de Loja.

Tour operators

Important Notice: If you wish to book in advance through any of the below listed tour operators in Loja for jungle, birdwatching, or any other activity. Direct reservations are available through our online Travel Agencies and Tour operators network reservation form, a BOE specialized agent will direct your inquiry and search for the best and most affordable tours and rates!.

Franky Tours.- Local and regional tours. Address: 10 de Agosto 11-67 and Olmedo. Tel. 571031, Fax: 562554.

Biotours.- City, jungle and regional tours. Address: J.A. Eguiguren and Olmedo. Tel. 578398, Fax: 574696.

Jatunpamba/Aratinga Aventuras.- Birdwatching and cloud forest tours. Address: Lourdes 14-80 and Sucre. Tel/Fax: 582434.

Transport

Local Bus.- City buses around US$0.20.

Car hire > Arricar.- Address: Colón 14-30, Tel. 571443, Fax: 588014.

Long distance

Air > TAME.- Address: 24 de Mayo and E. Ortega. Frequent flights available to Quito and Guayaquil, US$50 (one way).

Icaro.- Direct flights available to Quito in a 20 passenger craft US$53 (one way). For reservations See Tour operators.

Bus.- Frequent bus service from the bus station (Terminal Terrestre) located north of the city, some bus cooperatives have their own offices in the center.

To Quito (Cooperativa Loja > Address: 10 de Agosto and Guerrero), 12 to 13 hours, ticket value around US$9.00. To Guayaquil (Panamericana Internacional > Iberoamérica and Rocafuerte, Grand Hotel Loja), 8 hours, ticket value around US$6.00. To Cuenca (Trans Viajeros > Address: 18 de Noviembre and Quito), 4 1/2 hours, ticket value around US$5.00. To Machala (7 hours), ticket value around US$4.00. To Saraguro (1 1/2 hours), ticket value around US$1.50. To Vilcabamba (Sur Oriente & Vilcabaturis vans), 1 1/2 hours, ticket value around US$1.00. To Huaquillas (6 to 8 hours), ticket value around US$4.50. To Macará (5 to 6 hours), ticket value around US$5.00. To Zumba (Sur Oriente and Unión Cariamanga), 7 hours, ticket value around US$4.50. To Zamora (1 1/2 hours), ticket value around US$1.50.

Taxi rutas.- (US$0.50) Shared taxis. Found along Av. Universitaria.

General Interest

A useful guidebook from Loja is "Loja tradición, cultura y turismo", The best for news and events is: La "Hora" newspaper.

Money matters

Banco Mutualista Pichincha.- Mastercard & Cash advance. Located on the plaza.

Banco de Loja.- Travelers' checks. Address: Rocafuerte and Bolivar.

Communications

Pacifictel.- Address: Rocafuerte and Olmedo.

Post Office.- Address: Colón and Sucre.

Internet (prices around US$1.50 per hour)

Worldnet.- Address: Colón 1469.

Several Internet cafés around Colón street and Sucre.

Consulates

Peru.- Address: Sucre 10-64 and Azuay. Tel. 571668 - 579068.

Useful addresses

Immigration.- Address: Bolivia and Argentina. Tel. 573600.

Loja:

Overview | Orientation I Tourist information I Fun I Festivals I Shopping I Tour operators I Transport I General interest I Sightseeing I Accommodation I Restaurants I Museums I Write a review about Loja

Excursions around Loja:

Vilcabamba I Parque Nacional Podocarpus I South from Vilcabamba I Saraguro I Loja to the Peruvian border I Macará

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Carchi I Imbabura I Pichincha I Cotopaxi I Tungurahua I Bolivar I Chimborazo I Cañar I Azuay I Loja

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