For the nature lover, the Bosque Seco Lalo Loor or Lalo Loor Dry Forest is one of the few places on Ecuador’s coast where you can explore the unique tropical semi-deciduous forest, protected within the 250 ha private reserve, owned by Eudaldo “Lalo” Loor. This very rare and highly threatened forest type is transitional between the much drier forests to the south and the wet rain forests to the north. On a short hike, you can find an interesting mix of more northern and southern species of plants and animals. Visit us for a few hours to go on a hike through the shady forest, or stay overnight and go birding when the monkeys wake you up — we have facilities to accommodate both short and longer visits.
The Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve is located about 20-30 minutes south (by bus) from the coastal town of Pedernales, in the Manabí province, Ecuador. Pedernales can be reached by paved road from Quito (6 hours) via Santo Domingo, or from Guayaquil (5 hours) via Manta and Bahía de Caráquez. The reserve entrance is just south of the town of Tabuga, and just north of the entrance to Camarones. There is a small entrance fee. The reserve’s EcoCenter can be contacted during business hours by calling or texting via WhatsApp 99-006-7089 (when calling internationally, dial +593-99-006-7089).
The Lalo Loor Dry Forest reserve is open daily from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm.
Take the morning bus (9:00 a.m. or earlier) from Quito to Pedernales (5 ½ hours, approx. $10). The bus departs from the Quitumbe bus terminal in Quito (South of Quito). Once in the bus terminal look for the “Transvencedores” bus company office to purchase your ticket to Pedernales. At the Pedernales bus station, take a bus heading south towards Jama, Canoa or San Vicente (25 mins., $1.00). After leaving Pedernales, you will pass through Coaque, Palmar, Cabuya and Tabuga. The Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve is 2 km after the town of Tabuga. You must mention to the bus driver that you want to be dropped off at the “Reserva Lalo Loor” after Tabuga. At the entrance to the reserve you will see a round, yellow building which is our environmental interpretation center and a large sign that reads ¨Reserva Bosque Seco Lalo Loor.¨ The entire trip takes around 7½ hours. Estimated time of arrival to the reserve is 4:30 p.m.
Once you have arrived at the reserve there will be staff members to greet you and walk you up to the volunteer accommodations. Please make sure to communicate your travel itinerary with Ceiba staff so that our reserve staff know when to expect you.
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