HACIENDA Y FUNDACIÓN JAMBELÍ

This hacienda located at the border of the province of Guayas and El Oro, is a good example of agro-tourism that has been developing for some years in some regions of the country. Around Guayaquil extends a vast area of banana cultivation for export to Europe, North America and Japan, as well as cocoa, a plant that has particularly marked the history of the country (for a long time it was the world's^leading supplier of the golden bean, as it was called at the time. The French court was one of its clients). This farm offers tourists the opportunity to discover the Ruta del Cacao and the revenues are used to finance a rescue center for animals in danger. It was the first center of this kind in Ecuador, inaugurated in 1995. It is also possible to visit the hacienda and make either a simple tour in the heart of a banana plantation, or a complete visit (1 day). The latter includes: a visit to the Centro de Conservación de Vida Silvestre (Fundación Jambelí), the banana and cocoa plantation and the observation of aquaculture ponds, the possibility of swimming in the Gran Laguna, and a horseback ride. Among the injured, abandoned and sick animals taken in by the Foundation are caimans, spider monkeys and parrots native to the Costa.

Volunteering. If you are interested, you can contact the Foundation and offer your help. Request information by mail.