Caluma - Bolívar - Ecuador

It is located west of Guaranda, enjoys an excellent climate and a wonderful natural environment for those who love nature and extreme sports, its vegetation is exuberant as well as its fauna.
In addition, it has dozens of waterfalls, rivers and orange crops that is considered one of the best in Ecuador for its delicious and unique flavor, cocoa, mandarin, among other exotic species is a little known place. The Caluma River crosses this privileged region that boasts a landscape of exotic beauty. The canton is formed by 1 parish.

Flora in Caluma

The flora of the canton Caluma is characterized by the limited but characteristic presence of natural forest, abundant arboreal vegetation, dense and dense epiphytes, tree fern, timber species such as guayacán, mahogany, copal, motilón aguacatillo, colorado, oak, cedar, laurel, cedrillo , species that unfortunately due to their commercial value are often extracted, together with the biological diversity of the place.

There are also fruit trees such as guabo, mamey and citrus, among others; coffee, cocoa, banana, naranjilla, romerillo, pambil and exotic flowers. The plants that exist in the streams and watersheds are: guanto, guarumo, raft, palms, bamboo cane or cañoto, there are also several epiphytic plants that due to the humidity of these strata have been able to adapt. In the shrub and sub-shrub layer there are species such as: cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa), elder, mountain grape, wild zapote, huillo, camacho, matico de monte. Species that, according to information provided by the technicians of the Municipal GAD of Caluma, having no economic importance have been developed to reach heights of 15 to 20 meters.

Fauna in Caluma

The fauna of the canton Caluma is varied, among the existing fish: mouse, bocachico, campeche, etc .; amphibians and reptiles such as salamanders, toads, marsupial frog, snakes and snakes; Birds such as the cattle egret and the tick-hoof that are always observed next to the cattle, vague bird, between the bushes and pastures, the jumper algae very common in the river beds, the blue turtledove, observed in the pastures and crops; pava de monte, hawks, toucan, diostedé, buzzards and hummingbirds; and, mammals such as armadillos, rabbits, cusumbos, guatusas, guantas, monkeys, foxes, deer and light parrots.

Economic development

Its economy, which is based on the cultivation of orange and cocoa in the lower middle and livestock in the upper middle part; However, this does not exclude the cultivation of other products in smaller quantities such as potatoes, corn, beans, beans, naranjilla, cassava, rice, avocado, among others.

Tourist attractions in Caluma

Bosque Protector Piedra Blanca: The protective forest Piedra Blanca is a redoubt of jungle embellished by rivers of crystal clear water and its landscape environment that contrasts with gigantic black and white rocks, is considered as an important patrimony of Ecuadorian flora and fauna.

Cascada la Chorrera: In the Cascada del Triunfo you can observe the waterfall with pools in the base; admire the stone of the sun and bathe in the pool-lagoon in the Triunfo, in the journey through the rural roads you rest in farms producing cacao, oranges and banana. Another waterfall of singular beauty that invites you to join this fantastic adventure, full of emotion and adrenaline for the most spectacular and unexplored landscapes of the place.

Cascada Tres Pailas: The waters that cross this stretch are like crystalline pearls that wrap in a magical corner of this corner.

45 minutes from Caluma, is the Tres Pailas Waterfall, peaceful and small surrounded by an infinity of flora and fauna, impressive attraction for its hot winds, becoming an interesting destination for international travelers who seek a temperate climate during their vacations.

Plomovado waterfall: It is a waterfall of about 90 meters high with an average annual temperature of 22 ° C, at the bottom of the fall there is a small swim in which you can refresh, bathe and receive water massage given the fall by variants resulting refreshing, relaxing and invigorating for the organism.

Protected Forest Samama: From Caluma, along the banks of the Pita River, crystalline streams cross, you travel between landscapes, subtropical flora and fauna, fruit farms; Cerro Samama viewpoint, where species in the process of extinction live. Observation of birds and orchids.

Elaboration of Panela: Caluma is an agricultural canton, the raw material for the production of panela is sugar cane, a plant that is planted in different regions of the country and thanks to the climatic conditions of the same can be harvested throughout the year.

Panela is considered a food, which unlike sugar, which is basically sucrose, also has significant contents of glucose, fructose, proteins, minerals such as calcium, iron and phosphorus and vitamins such as ascorbic acid.

Cultures and traditions in Caluma

Cantonization - August 23. - They are held in August the main numbers are the Choice of the Queen, parade, expo, popular dances, Corrida de Toros, montubio rodeo, among others. A tradition that is not lost is the fight of roosters that takes place on 16, 17, 18 August in which very high value bets are placed.
The gallant and main event of these festivities, is the majestic night full of color and beauty without equal, where the attributes and hidalguía of the calumeña woman are highlighted.

Feast of the Virgen del Valle - September 24.

Carnival of Caluma - February.

Feasts of Charquiyacu.

Typical Food in Caluma

Chigüiles: They are tasty and delicate tamalillos, made of fine corn flour, lard and cheese with achiote, wrapped in tender leaves of the same cereal and steamed. The chiguil is one of the most remarkable gastronomic legacies of our aboriginal ancestors, enriched by the Creole culture.

Aguado de Gallina: It is prepared by cooking the chicken, it is served with potatoes accompanied by cilantro and white onion.

Fritada: It is the main dish of the city, it consists of a rich pork meat fried with the same fat of the meat, accompanied by corn, mote, ripe, yucca or potatoes and an exquisite chili.