TOURISM AND RECOMMENDATIONS

San Lorenzo is the main town on the outskirts of Cayapas — Mataje, where one can find hotels, restaurants and the administrative center of the reserve. In June there is a musical festival in San Lorenzo. It can be reached from Esmeraldas by car or from the capital, Quito, by a 6-hour road or train, passing through the cities of Ibarra and Tulcán. The reserve can be visited for its botanical importance as well for recreation in the 7 miles of clean beaches it possesses. There is also an interesting archeological site of the pre-Incan culture of La Tolita. Raincoats, boots and insect repellent are advisable.