Cayapas — Mataje Ecological Reserve

General Information

• Area: 126.761 acres (51.300 ha)
• Date of Creation: October 26, 1995
• Altitude: 0 - 115 ft (0 - 35 m)

The objective of the Cayapas — Mataje Reserve is to protect an area of mangrove forest in the coasts of northern Ecuador. The importance of the mangrove forest derives from the protection it gives the coast from erosion and the home it represents to various types of aquatic species. Before it was instituted as a reserve, the area was subject to deforestation in order to create pools for shrimp breeding.

Flora and Fauna

There are five types of mangrove forest in the reserve, covering 98% of the area. The mangrove tree can have a trunk up to 160 ft in height, most of it underwater. There are also small zones of humid tropical forest in the reserve, with species such as the oak. The most common aquatic species are mollusks, such as oysters, and crustaceans, predominating various types of crabs. There are also various birds, among them ducks and the great blue heron.

Tourism

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.