Trails     Lodging     Birding & Wildlife     Plants     Beaches Volunteer & Research     Projects     Rules

Activities and Facilities for Visitors

Trails

Several new trails into the Loor reserve have recently been opened, to reach some of the forest's most attractive features, including large fig trees and beautiful ephemeral waterfalls. Views of the surrounding forest, clouded hillsides, and the gorgeous Pacific Ocean can be enjoyed from the reserve's scenic overlook.  A hike through the forest offers a chance to see wildlife such as the unique endemic race of White-Fronted Capuchin monkey, Mantled Howler monkey, Red-masked Parakeet, Pacific Royal-Flycatcher, jaguarundi, tamandua, boa constrictor, and a stunning array of frogs and lizards. For more on the reserve's fauna, click here.

An excellent introduction to dry forest ecology is provided by the self-guided Mariposa Trail, which begins at the reserve's entrance. This 45-minute loop travels over level ground through secondary forest, offering terrific looks at streamside habitat full of birds, monkeys and unique plants.

The Pacifico Trail climbs one of the reserve's several ridges, from the trailhead in front of the Biological Station. The trail passes by a large green Ceiba trichastandra tree before reaching a high overlook that affords a view of the ocean and surrounding countryside.

The Buco (or Puffbird) Trail is scheduled to open this year, which will trace the valley bottom of the El Tillo stream. Figs and flowering shrubs are abundant along the moist stream banks, attracting Howler Monkeys and many hummingbirds, the stream also is the best place to look for the Loor reserves many amphibians and reptiles, including the endemic poison-arrow frog, Colostethus machalilla.

Maps of the how to reach the reserve and the trail system are available online. If you would like Lalo Loor Reserve trail maps sent to you, please contact Ceiba,

Lodging

The new biological station was completed in March 2005, and can accommodate up to 24 people.  The station provides basic lodging for visitors, researchers and volunteers and serves as the center for research, reforestation and conservation projects in the reserve and surrounding region. Contact CFTC to arrange for accommodation during your visit! Other lodging is available throughout the Manabí coast, offering an array of options to suit any budget.

Birding & Wildlife Viewing

The Lalo Loor reserve provides refuge to a diverse wildlife community, and troops of Black Howler monkeys (Alloutta palliata) and the equatorial variety of White-fronted Capuchin monkeys (Cebus albifrons var. aequatorialis) are easily seen in the forest. Peccary, Jaguarundi and tracks of Ocelot have also been seen in the reserve.

There is excellent birding along the entrance road, the self-guided nature trail, and along the stream, with a chance of spotting several rare species including the Red-Masked Parakeet, Pale-browed Tinamou, Pacific Pygmy Owl, and the Little Woodstar hummingbird. (more ...)

Orchids, Cacti and other Plants

Sitting on the transition zone between wet and dry forest, the reserve often presents some strange encounters, like orchids and cacti growing side by side!  In fact, the flora of the Lalo Loor reserve is a fascinating mixture of plants from humid and dry habitats. This is a place where a brief walk presents you with fig trees, palms, orchids and bromeliads, huge aroids, trees with spiny trunks, trees with photo-synthetic bark and other oddities. During the dry season from May - December, many trees shed their leaves and the appearance of the forest changes completely. (more ...)

Beaches & Coastline

You can explore many beautiful beaches nearby, on foot or within a short bus ride from the reserve. The Manabí coast from Pedernales to Jama is lined with white sand beaches that are virtually deserted. We especially recommend the beach at Punta Prieta, a lodge owned by Alonso Ordoñez and his wife, located just a few kilometers south of the reserve. This beach has showers, bathrooms and a bar/restaurant with breathtaking views of the ocean. Another great beach is at El Arco del Amor, a huge stone arch honed by the action of waves. (more ...)

Volunteer & Research

Volunteers play an integral role in the success and advancement of conservation and environmental education efforts at the Lalo Loor Reserve -- we need YOUR help! You may spend a few days to several months enjoying the beautiful coastal surroundings of the region while contributing manpower and your own expertise for reforestation, trail construction, and environmental interpretation.

Researchers also are welcome at the reserve, where a great many aspects of the dry forest ecology remain unstudied. To date, Tulane University primatologist Dr. Kathleen Jack and her students and field assistants have worked on the reserve's monkey groups, and Dr. Paul Hamilton (Arizona State) conducted surveys of the herpetofauna (reptils and amphibians). Combined, these teams have made ample contributions to our knowledge of the reserve's wildlife. Follow these links if you are interested in volunteering or conducting research at the reserve.

Reserve Rules

In order to protect the pristine beauty of the Bosque Seco Lalo Loor forest, we ask that visitors please adhere to a few basic rules, which help others enjoy the forest in its pristine state:

• Do not litter -- pack out what you pack in.
• Do not remove or collect plants, animals or archaeological artifacts
• Stay on designated trails
• Observe silence -- radios prohibited
• Pets not allowed in the reserve
• Camping allowed only with prior permission. Due to high fire hazard, no campfires are allowed.
• No smoking or alcoholic beverages allowed