Logroño, Ecuador facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Logroño
Town
Logroño, Ecuador Location in Ecuador
Country	Ecuador
Province	Morona-Santiago Province
Canton	Logroño
Area
• Town	1.98 km2 (0.76 sq mi)
Elevation	650 m (2,130 ft)
Population  (2022 census)
• Town	1,382
• Density	698.0/km2 (1,808/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5 (ECT)
Area code(s)	07
Climate	Af

Logroño is a small town in the Morona-Santiago Province of Ecuador. It is the main town of Logroño Canton. About 1,382 people live here. Most of the people are from the Shuar group. Near the town, about 2 kilometers away, you can find cool limestone caves called "Caverna de Las Cascadas".

Discovering Logroño's Past

Logroño has been home to the Shuar for over 500 years. In the 1930s, missionaries from other parts of Ecuador came to explore this area. Some set up homes south of Logroño, while others settled right in the town center.

Because of its good location and resources, Logroño wanted to become its own canton (a type of local government area). This idea started on October 14, 1992. Logroño officially became a canton on January 22, 1997. This meant it got its own political status.

The first mayor of Logroño was Jorge Enriquez. He served from 1997 to 2001.

Exploring Local Culture

About 70% of the people in Logroño Canton are Shuar. The other 30% are 'mestizos', which means they have mixed backgrounds. You can see both Shuar and mestizo cultures everywhere in Logroño. This includes their food, dances, and daily customs.

Shuar Dance Group in the park of Logroño

Most Shuar people live in the areas of Yaupi and Shimpis. In Shuar culture, families often have many children. Men are usually in charge of fishing and hunting. Their sons help with gardens and building houses. Women cook, make crafts, and gather wild plants for food.

Traditional Foods and Flavors

The 'mestizo' culture has many tasty traditional dishes. These include roasted guinea pig and chicken. They also enjoy roasted and baked pork. Local fish like Huambi and Cat Fish are popular too. These meals often come with rice, cassava, plantain, or sweet potato.

The main food for the Shuar is 'chicha de yuca' (nijiamanch), a special drink. Traditional Shuar food also includes 'ayampacos'. These are grubs, fish, or chicken wrapped in leaves and cooked over a fire. They also eat grilled wild game like armadillo. These dishes are served with cassava, plantains, or local jungle plants.

Chicha and Ayampacos

Celebrating Logroño's Traditions

The town of Logroño celebrates its founding from January 16 to 22 each year. During this week, there are many fun events. You can see traditional dances and local art shows. There are also agriculture fairs, rodeos, and beauty pageants. Lots of dancing happens too!

Shuar Dance

Other important cultural events include:

• March 21: "Logroño limpio, compromiso de todos" – a day for caring for the environment.
• June: Fiesta de la Chonta – a celebration of a local palm fruit.
• June 29: Fiesta Patronal de San Pedro – a Christian religious holiday.
• July 25-29: Fiestas de Shimpis – a celebration in the Shuar community of Shimpis.
• August 19: Fiestas de Yaupi – a celebration in the Shuar community of Yaupi.
• November 3: Day of the Dead – people drink a traditional drink called 'colada morada' and visit the cemetery.

Amazing Places to Visit

Logroño Canton is full of cool natural spots. You can find caves, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It's also a great place to learn about the Shuar culture. If you visit Shuar communities, it's always a good idea to go with a local guide who knows the community well.

Caverna de las Cascadas: Waterfall Caves

Entrance to the caves

Canyoning in the Caves

These caves are an amazing system filled with waterfalls. They are just 10 minutes from Logroño's center, right next to the Rio Upano (Upano River). You can spend a whole day exploring them. You can even camp by the river or stay in a hostel in Logroño.

Hot Springs of Logroño: Relaxing Waters

Hot Springs

About 30 minutes outside Logroño, you'll find natural hot springs. They are by the Rio Upano, next to a small sandy beach. It's a perfect spot to relax for a few hours.

Cascada Chumpiankas: Beautiful Waterfalls

Waterfall Chumpiankas

This is a series of waterfalls surrounded by slanted rocks. The biggest waterfall is about 30 feet tall. It's near the Chupiankas Shuar community. You can take a 5-minute taxi ride from Logroño, then hike for 1 to 4 hours to reach the waterfalls. The Shuar community there sometimes sells traditional foods like 'ayampacos' and 'chicha'.

Chupiankas Shuar Community: Authentic Culture

Here, you can truly experience the Shuar culture. You can learn about their customs, traditions, and ancient stories from community elders. Inside the community, there are groups of Shuar women, "Taramak" and "Yawi". They work to keep their cultural traditions alive. They make and sell beautiful Shuar bracelets, necklaces, belts, and crowns. These crafts are made from local seeds, feathers, and other natural materials.

Laguna de Kumpak: Jungle Lake Adventure

Rio Yaupi

Carlos Shiki offers exciting 3-4 day tours to Laguna de Kumpak. The trip involves a 3-hour car or bus ride through the jungle. Then, you take a 2-hour canoe ride on the Río Yaupi, passing Shuar communities. Finally, it's a 1-hour hike to the lake, which includes crossing a river by cable car! At the lake, Carlos Shiki has traditional Shuar houses for tourists to stay in. He serves local food and offers tours of the lake, where you might see piranhas and crocodiles. You can also go on jungle hikes through untouched forests. To visit, contact the Logroño local government or a travel agency in Macas a week in advance.

Comuna Grande: Traditional Shuar Huts

Shuar House

These are traditional Shuar huts located 30 minutes outside Logroño. They are by the Unumkis river. Here, you can enjoy typical foods and drinks surrounded by natural forest. There's also a swimming spot nearby.

Rio Upano: Clear River Fun

Rio Upano

This river has crystal clear water and flows from the mountains into the Amazon. Locals use it for fishing. You can also go rafting and kayaking from Macas (for experienced adventurers). The Rio Upano is famous for its fossils, sandy beaches, and many hot springs. There are great viewpoints of the river, including one just a block from Logroño's central park. There's also a cable car that crosses the river near the Shuar community called "La Union".

Parque de Logroño: Town's Green Heart

The park in the center of Logroño is considered one of the best in the province. It's filled with many different kinds of flowers, plants, and trees. It's a beautiful place to relax and enjoy nature.

Images for kids

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  Mayor of Logroño, Galo Utitiaj