Cahuasquí: Adobe Houses, Park and Traditions

Narrow streets, traditional adobe houses and a park in the main town give Cahuasquí a distinctive character. Among the one- and two-story houses with wood and tile roofs are also modern buildings made of cement and brick. Different construction styles thus meet directly in the streetscape.

Adobe Houses and Building Culture in the Main Town

The traditional houses are built of adobe or thick earthen walls. Some have corridors facing the street, giving their façades a clear orientation toward the street. Together with the modern buildings, they create a varied picture in which traditional forms of construction stand alongside newer materials.

The Ministerio de Patrimonio rehabilitated traditional houses in Cahuasquí to preserve their architectural style. Most of these buildings are located around the central park. There are also old houses there that are registered with the Instituto Nacional de Patrimonio. Those interested in architecture can take in different aspects of the townscape: materials, façade design and the treatment of historic buildings.

Parque del Reloj, also called Parque del Amor, is in the main town and is one of its notable cultural heritage features. The main town’s cultural heritage also includes an Inca clock. The stone church in the central park is more than a hundred years old. Together, the park, church and surrounding houses form a specific focal point for a stay centered on building culture and local history.

Traditions and Religious Festivals

The 2020 development plan for the Parroquia lists San Juan Evangelista on December 27 in the main town of Cahuasquí, and a procession in honor of the Virgen del Tránsito on August 15. It also lists celebrations for Semana Santa and Carnaval in the main town. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these occasions, check the current date before making plans.

El Animero is a family tradition passed down from generation to generation. On the night before Finados, a person dressed as a “soul” walks to the cemetery and represents the souls in purgatory who should not be forgotten. Remembrance is at the heart of the tradition: it connects the walk to the cemetery with the idea of souls who remain in people’s memories.

Páramo Landscapes Nearby

There are also varied landscapes beyond the main town. The small natural formation of Tatacho takes shape during the rainy season in the Páramos de Pugarán and Piñan and is suitable for guided horseback rides. Its seasonal formation is part of its character, so when planning a trip, it is important to note that the formation described is tied to the rainy season.

Another nearby destination is the Nagnarillos glacier lake complex, also known as Cuatro Vientos. It lies in the páramos of the Comunidad de San Francisco de Sachapamba in the Parroquia de Cahuasquí. Tatacho and Nagnarillos thus represent different landscape experiences: a small seasonal formation with guided horseback rides and a glacier lake complex in the páramo. Both complement a look at the main town with landscapes that are highlights of the Parroquia.

A Taste of the Parroquia

At the level of the municipality, the 2020 development plan describes Las Delicias de Cahuasquí as traditional ice creams sold opposite the Plaza Central and as part of the Parroquia’s tourism offerings. If you would like to try these ice creams specifically, ask locally about current availability.

When looking for a vacation rental in Cahuasquí, it helps to first set your priorities: Would you like to focus on the main town, with its houses, central park and traditions, or would you also like to make time for nearby landscapes and guided horseback rides? Compare the location of a specific accommodation with your itinerary and check availability with the provider. This will help you choose a base that suits the places and themes you want to discover in Cahuasquí and the Parroquia.

Discover more destinations: Llurimaguas, Guadual, Parroquia de Tumbabiro, Plaza Gutierrez, Urcuqui, Ambuqui, Ibarra, Cotacachi.

For the broader travel overview: Imbabura.