Zona reservada Lomas de Ancón

Lomas de Ancón is a protected reserve that spans three provinces and combines desert landscapes with coastal hills covered by seasonal vegetation. The terrain changes dramatically across different seasons due to shifts in weather patterns and moisture availability.

The reserve was designated as a protected area in 2010 to safeguard the unique desert ecosystems and biodiversity of the region. This decision acknowledged the ecological importance of these lomas as distinct habitats.

Local communities participate in conservation programs while researchers study the adaptations of native species to extreme temperature variations between seasons.

The reserve can be reached via the Panamericana Norte highway and is best visited during winter months when coastal fog covers the hills. During these periods visitors can see the green landscape that appears for only a few months each year.

Plants in the reserve have adapted a remarkable survival strategy by capturing moisture from coastal fog during winter months. This ability transforms the otherwise dry landscape into a green area that seems to appear from nowhere.