Busa Lake, Mountain lake in San Fernando Canton, Ecuador

Busa Lake lies in San Fernando canton, Azuay province, about 55 km southwest of Cuenca, at 2,818 m above sea level. The roughly 12-hectare site combines the water body, pine forest and trails; a Heart of Jesus figure stands in the middle of the lake.

The lake occupies the site of a former hacienda. Local accounts tell of a feast there interrupted by a beggar who was turned away; a servant gave him food, and he warned her to leave before the estate flooded. Only she survived. The Cerro San Pablo rises 800 meters above the water.

Local lore tells of a hacienda where a feast was held; a beggar arrived asking for food and was turned away, but a servant gave him part of the dogs' meal. He told her to leave, climbed onto rocks and poured the remaining water from his bottle, flooding the estate; only the servant survived. The lake's Heart of Jesus figure is said by locals to keep the waters from overflowing in winter.

The lake offers fishing, boat rides, and hiking opportunities to nearby mountain peaks. Bring warm layers since conditions at this elevation are cool, and trails can become muddy after rain.

The Heart of Jesus image in the lake is explained by locals as a way of keeping the water from overflowing in the rainy season. Boats cross the lake to reach it at the centre. The Cerro San Pablo, an 800-metre elevation, rises above the water as its guardian.