Arenillas - El Oro - Ecuador

The name of our cantonal head has its origin in the association that its first inhabitants made with the sand of its river.

Our river has its origin or birth in the elevations in the Cordillera de Dumarí-Tahuín. In many sectors of this mountain range there have always been gold deposits, so much so that it is believed that the first inhabitants were attracted by the exploitation of the precious metal. The famous gambusinos or prospectors of gold established their laundry on the banks of this river and of the fine sand or ARENILLA that abounded in the banks of the river, day after day, they extracted gold of first quality.

They say that the sand was leaden in color and that every year the current of the river, in its winter increases, accumulated this metal in large quantities.

Economic Activity in Arenillas

Its population is dedicated to agriculture, livestock, shrimp farming, citrus and export mangoes and rice and other short-cycle crops.

Tourist Places in Arenillas

Flowering of the Guyacanes in the Ecological Reserve of Arenillas

A yellow sheet covers the ecological reserve of Arenillas due to the flowering of the guayacanes, a natural wonder that could be seen only in the province of Loja and that can now be enjoyed on the southern border of Ecuador, in the dry forest of the canton, in the via Arenillas - Chacras, the immense forest, shows the biodiversity of native trees of the area dating back 400 years, it is located about 80 meters above sea level and has a dry environment.

At the entrance to the area there is a sign that can guide your arrival, the place is public, therefore it is free; It also has guides that belong to the camp of the Ministry of Environment of Ecuador, which will take them to several routes along the paths of the squirrel approximately, for 6 days, after the first winter rains at the end or at the beginning of the year.

Besides enjoying the flowering of the guayacanes, in the tours you can see several animals in their natural environment, such as deer, squirrels, foxes, iguanas, anteaters, diversity of birds, among others.

The place does not have stores, so it is recommended to bring liquids to hydrate after visits, throw the containers in the respective pails to preserve the cleanliness of the environment, wear comfortable clothes, long-sleeved shirts, wear sports shoes and a hat to avoid Sunburn.

Cascada El Blanco

Located in the sector El Triunfo, whose landscape impresses its visitors in the ecopaseos for the place.

Tahuín Dam

A place that mixes the charm of human creation and the mystery of a nature that deposits in it huge amounts of water, covered with mist. It is also a vital contribution for tourism and sports activity of sailing, water skiing, fishing, etc.

Puerto Pitahaya

The part of Arenillas that overlooks the sea is Puerto Pitahaya, with a landscape that shines for the purity of its waters and where the blue of the sea and the sky is confused.

The Cuca

Before reaching Puerto Pitahaya, you can pass by La Cuca, a small village that concentrates the farmers dedicated to the cultivation of rice and the care of various kinds of mangoes and other exotic fruit trees, unknown in the rest of the country.

The Sarcophagus

It is a tomb that keeps the remains of many anonymous soldiers who offered their lives on the border during the Peruvian invasion of 1941.