Portoviejo

Portoviejo is in the Coastal Lowlands of Ecuador.

Understand
Founded by the Spanish conquistadors in 1535 and the capital of Manabi province, Portoviejo is known for its beautiful royal tamarind trees. The city was badly affected during the 2016 earthquake.

Get in
There are buses going to Portoviejo from Manta, Quito and Guayaquil.

Buy
Portoviejo is famous for kapok mattresses and pillows made from the ceibo seed case and is a good place to buy hammocks. The main street has several stalls selling tagua figures. There is also a large flea market in downtown.