Imbabura Province

Imbabura, Province of the lakes

The beautiful province of Imbabura is known throughout the country as the Land of the Lakes, this is because it has many lagoons and slopes of water compared to other provinces. It is located north of Pichincha and west of Esmeraldas.

It is full of several lakes, valleys, volcanoes and badlands, attractions of the province of lakes that dazzle visitors from other parts of the Ecuador and foreigners from different parts of the world. Otavalo is the city that brings together many foreigners, as it is characterized by a large indigenous population that is dedicated to making crafts and captivating hand-made export looms, these works of art textiles represent the indigenous culture of northern highlands. Likewise, the city of Cotacachi has a variety of leather goods, many of them handcrafted with techniques that have been inherited from generation to generation.

Places we recommend you to include in your tourist plans in Imbabura:

• Cotacachi Cayapas Reserve
• The Otavalo Fair
• San Pablo Lake
• Yahuarcocha Lagoon
• Yuracruz
• Lita and her communities
• The Salt Museum in Salinas
• San Antonio de Ibarra
• The Train of La Libertad, Ibarra - Salinas
• Cuicocha Lagoon
• Piñan Lagoon
• Mojanda Lagoons
• Puruhanta Lagoon
• Peguche Waterfall
• Ruins of Caranqui - Ibarra
• Chota Valley
• Atuntaqui Expoferia
• Chachimbiro Hot Springs

The province of Imbabura harbors the ethnic mix of nationalities that compose Ecuador’s culture, which is the result of the Spanish conquest and the processes of constant migration to the country. Throughout its territory one can witness the interculturalism of its demographic composition.

A clear sample of that diversity lies in the resulting figures during the last Ecuadorian population census, in which the population self defined as follows; 54% mestizo, 31% white, 10% indigenous, 3% Afro descendant and 2% represented among Asians, castizos and others.

It seems unlikely to find such a sharp contrast in a relatively small province. But it turns out that yes, we walk through the cantons of its constituency and we will realize that it is not crazy to think of a province capable of agglutinating such a diverse population and perfectly appreciate its social composition.

Although the predominant language is the Spanish an important number of people speak Kichwa  and are located in the Otavalo canton. The city that perhaps has the most important insurrection history and a strong prevailing identity of Ecuador as nowhere else in

the nation, its identity and culture have remained rebellious throughout the centuries, neither the Incas, nor the Spaniards could bend their spirit and their cultural legacy.

Culture and traditions of Imbabura

The culture of the province is really diverse and this is expressed in each one of his festivities; in the cantons with greater indigenous presence we can highlight the famous Inti Raymi, which is nothing other than festivals in honor to the solstice of half a year and that extends throughout the indigenous communities of Imbabura. Likewise in the communities eminently mestizas the foundation festivals are celebrated, as well as  religious events:

• Old Year parties, in Imbabura
• Feast of San Luís, in Otavalo
• Feast of San Luis Obispo, in Otavalo
• Yamor Festival, in Otavalo
• Feast of La Candelaria, in Ibarra
• Feast of the Holy Cachon, in San Antonio
• Feast of the Jora, in Cotacachi
• Festivities of Inti Raymi, in Cotacachi
• The Fox Hunt in Ibarra
• Celebration to the Virgin of La Merced, in Ibarra
• Independence Festivities, in Ibarra
• Festivities of the Foundation in Ibarra
• Inti Raymi, in Otavalo and Cotachachi
• Fashion Fair in Atuntaqui
• Multicolored Carnival of Atuntaqui

Imbabura gastronomy

The offer is varied and rich in history and tradition, it will depend on the canton in that the tourist finds so that he can enjoy the variety of Typical food from different sectors.

The Yamor of Otavalo

Traditional food is part of the great cultural and culinary tradition of Otavalo. The best known dish is Yamor and is consumed in September, during the celebration of the festival that carries the same name and that summons local and foreign tourists. It is composed of the chicha of seven varieties of corn, dried maize, tortillas, empanadas and chili pepper. Yamor is the name given to this type of ancestral drink very desired for its sweet taste.

• Guinea Pigs of Chaltura: They are accompanied by dried maize, corn, toast, potatoes, which delight palates not only to the people of the province but also to many tourists, this dish that extends along the Ecuadorian highlands, allows you to taste an unforgettable particular flavor for who is a guinea pig fan.
• Pan Ice Cream of Ibarra: It is one of the traditions of Imbabura which has transcended countries, many tourists do not leave Ibarra without tasting this traditional dessert that is very refreshing for the valley weather of Ibarra. We can find it at the Rosalía Suárez Store, there is a great variety of flavors that cause several sensations in the palates of the diners.
• Cotacachi Red Meat: This is a traditional recipe for pork base that acquires a reddish or red color with achiote, is also smoked and is accompanied with dried maize, tortillas, potato, toasted and