Tuncarta

Southern Highlands


The community of Tuncarta is known for producing fine Saraguro hats. Catch a bus ($0.20, 10 minutes) from the main road, or get walking directions at Saraurku.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Southern Highlands attractions

1. Baños del Inka

0.26 MILES

Just north of town on the Panamericana, this nature area has impressive waterfalls and large rock formations.

2. Las Lagunas

1.4 MILES

Tupus and textiles are made in the community of Las Lagunas, making this an interesting cultural excursion. Catch a bus ($0.20, 10 minutes) from the main…

3. Parque La Banda/Orillas de Zamora

22.48 MILES

North of town, this nice park has a small zoo and a beautifully designed Orquideario with over 200 species of orchids from southern Ecuador.

4. Parque Recreacional Jipiro

23.57 MILES

North of town, this kid-friendly park offers a giant chessboard, a skate park, a Chinese pagoda, a pint-size Kremlin, small animal enclosures and a…

5. Puerta de la Ciudad

24.69 MILES

With perhaps more pomp and circumstance than you'll encounter anywhere else in Loja, the City Gate greets you into downtown from the northern corner. It's…

6. Plaza San Francisco

25.07 MILES

A block north of the Parque Central, this smallish plaza is crowned by a statue of the city’s founder astride his horse.

7. Cathedral

25.18 MILES

Watch the devotees stepping inside for their daily devotions to the Virgen del Cisne.

8. Parque Central

25.19 MILES

Loja’s main square is always busy with shoeshine boys, newspaper vendors and local devotees stepping into the cathedral for their daily devotions to the…