El Oro district, Ecuador

Places to visit near Zaruma

Zaruma is a town in El Oro district, Ecuador, home to about 12,505 people. Within 50 km by road there are 86 places to visit — 73 hill stations & viewpoints, 5 waterfalls, 2 forts & heritage and 0 lakes, dams & reservoirs. The must-see places are Cerro de Arcos (28 km), Reserva Ecológica Arenillas (75 km) and Isla Matapalo (96 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Zaruma on the map

Zaruma, Ecuador
Zaruma, El Oro district, Ecuador. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Zaruma at a glance

Location
El Oro district, Ecuador
Population
about 12,505
Coordinates
3.6913° S, 79.6117° W
Places within 50 km
86 (1 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; July to January, best August to November right after rains for waterfalls

Top places to visit near Zaruma

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Zaruma: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Zaruma

Things to see near Zaruma, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Zaruma

212 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Zaruma. The closest is Cerro La Chuva (8 km); the best-known is Cerro de Arcos (28 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Waterfalls near Zaruma

24 waterfalls within 100 km of Zaruma. The closest is Cascada "Arco Iris" (11 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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Forts & heritage near Zaruma

14 forts & heritage within 100 km of Zaruma. The closest is Monumento al minero (3 km). Best time: october to february.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Zaruma

8 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Zaruma. The closest is Poza de Dumas (64 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Rivers, islands & mangroves near Zaruma

7 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Zaruma. The closest is Isla Bartola (83 km); the best-known is Isla Matapalo (96 km). Best time: september to february.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Zaruma

5 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Zaruma. The closest is Reserva Ecológica Arenillas (75 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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A one-day trip from Zaruma

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 14 km on the road.

  1. Start in Zaruma
  2. 3 km Aguas Termales · beach, El Oro
  3. 4 km El Tablón · beach, El Oro
  4. 2 km Monumento al minero · heritage site, El Oro
  5. 1 km Magner Turner · museum, El Oro
  6. 1 km Antiguo Hospital Americano · museum, El Oro
  7. 3 km Back to Zaruma

Plan a longer trip from Zaruma — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

How to reach Zaruma

    All places near Zaruma by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type

    Places near Zaruma by type
    TypePlacesNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints212Cerro La Chuva (8 km)
    Waterfalls24Cascada "Arco Iris" (11 km)
    Forts & heritage14Monumento al minero (3 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs8Poza de Dumas (64 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves7Isla Bartola (83 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens5Reserva Ecológica Arenillas (75 km)
    Museums4Antiguo Hospital Americano (3 km)
    Beaches & coast3Aguas Termales (3 km)
    Caves3Gruta (34 km)
    Churches1Santuario Católico Nacional Nuestra Señora de El Cisne - Basílica de El Cisne (34 km)

    Zaruma: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Zaruma?

    Aguas Termales (beach, about 3 km), Antiguo Hospital Americano (museum, about 3 km), Magner Turner (museum, about 3 km), Monumento al minero (heritage site, about 3 km), El Tablón (beach, about 5 km), Cerro de Arcos (viewpoint, about 28 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Zaruma?

    86 places on Spotwander: 73 hill stations & viewpoints, 5 waterfalls, 2 forts & heritage, 2 museums, 2 beaches & coast.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Zaruma?

    Cerro La Chuva, about 8 km by road; Loma Bonita (11 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest waterfall to Zaruma?

    Cascada "Arco Iris", about 11 km by road; Cascada de Humuto (34 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest fort to Zaruma?

    Monumento al minero, about 3 km by road; Calgary Hill (50 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Zaruma?

    Start in Zaruma, visit Aguas Termales, then El Tablón, then Monumento al minero, then Magner Turner, then Antiguo Hospital Americano, and drive back — about 14 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Zaruma?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; July to January, best August to November right after rains for waterfalls.

    Towns near Zaruma

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Zaruma’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Zaruma on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.