Cerro Blanco Forest, Protected tropical dry forest in Guayas Province, Ecuador.
Cerro Blanco Forest is a protected tropical dry forest in the western part of Guayas Province, a short distance from Guayaquil. It covers a large area of dense vegetation with a wide range of plant and animal species, including several that are rarely found elsewhere.
The forest was placed under protection through an initiative by Fundacion Pro-Bosque, working alongside the cement company Holcim Ecuador. This partnership set the foundation for the ongoing management of the land.
Cerro Blanco is one of the few protected forests near a major city in Ecuador, making it a popular day trip for families and school groups from Guayaquil. Guided walks are regularly offered, giving visitors a hands-on way to experience the forest up close.
The reserve is close to Guayaquil and can be reached by bus or taxi without much difficulty. Sturdy footwear is a good idea since some trails are uneven, and sun protection is worth bringing for open stretches where shade is limited.
Cerro Blanco is home to one of the few stable populations of the Guayaquil macaw, a large parrot that gathers here in greater numbers than almost anywhere else. Researchers visit regularly to study these birds, which have become a focus of conservation work in the region.
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