Zapotillo

About

Located just across the river from Pera, Zapotillo is located in the midst of Ecuador’s “dry forest”. This unusual biosphere receives almost no rain for most of the year, and yet remains an important habitat for species ranging from howler monkeys to endangered tigrillos and the locally endangered American crocodile. When it does finally rain sometime between December and January, the Guayacan that fill the area bloom for a few days with vibrant yellow blossoms. While this spectacle is famous around the world with nature lovers, it’s fleeting, so you’ll need to constantly check on the status of the Guayacan trees. The rest of the year, the town is a pleasant agricultural community where you can relax, admire the pretty church, walk the riverside boardwalk, and chow down on some of the regional cuisine, which ranges from spicy ceviche to chopped goat head.