Guano
Guano is a city in Chimborazo Province in Ecuador.
Understand
[edit]Guano is a small, quaint town in a valley near Riobamba.
Get in
[edit]There are several buses that leave each day for Guano from Riobamba. They cost $0.25 and the ride takes about 20 minutes.
Get around
[edit]Guano is small, the downtown area can easily be seen on foot.
See
[edit]- Guano has a small museum (entrance fee $1) that showcases some pre-Columbian pottery, textiles, and the mummy of a monk that was found entombed in the wall of an old church. There is a small beautiful park in the center of town.
Do
[edit]- One popular activity is to climb the hill located at the end of town near where the bus drops you off. The hill has a large staircase with several stone carvings, and offers a spectacular view of the city and the surrounding mountains. On a clear day one can see El Altar, the erupting volcano Tungurahua, and Chimborazo, the highest peak in Ecuador.
Buy
[edit]- Guano is known for its shoes- the street where the bus drops you off is lined with stores selling everything from hiking boots to high heels. Beware, though: No one carries anything in a size bigger than 42 (European), which roughly corresponds to a 10 in American sizes.
- Guano's other claim to fame is its rugs- myriad shops sell rugs and carpets of all shapes and sizes, and if one haggles you can get a very good price.
Eat
[edit]- Cholas are small rolls filled with a sweet, sticky filling not unlike molasses. They are only made in Guano, so buy some while you are here. You will see signs all over for cholas, they should cost about $0.25 apiece.
- Guano is also known for its fritaderias, restaurants that sell plates of pork that has been stewed in juices until it is falling off the bone. A plate, which normally costs about $3-4, also will contain boiled choclo, or corn, and sometimes a fried plantain or banana. Look for the numerous 'Fritaderia' signs.