Churute Mangroves Ecological Reserve, Nature reserve in Guayaquil, Ecuador

Churute Mangroves Ecological Reserve covers about 50,000 hectares between the cantons of Naranjal and Guayaquil, in the inner estuary of the Gulf of Guayaquil. It combines 35,000 hectares of mangrove with the Churute hills, the El Canclón lagoon and Cerro Masvale, which rises to 1,000 metres. The hills are often wrapped in fog and carry garúa forest; the main entrance is at kilometre 16 of the Boliche-Puerto Inca road.

The area received protected status on July 26, 1979, becoming the first mangrove conservation zone on Ecuador's mainland coast. This designation marked a turning point in the nation's commitment to safeguarding these critical habitats.

Inside the reserve live communes that farm and raise livestock, and the reserve's own staff patrol the estuaries by boat and the trails by motorcycle and bicycle. The interpretation centre holds a library and a computer centre donated under agreements between CEDEGE, the Ministry of the Environment and Fundación Natura. Studies on the red crab and on tourism were carried out under the same agreements.

The main entrance is located at kilometer 16 on the Boliche-Puerto Inca road, with camping options and guided trails available. Bring waterproof clothing and insect repellent, as the terrain is wet and tropical insects are common throughout the year.

The reserve protects the largest population in Ecuador of the horned screamer (Anhima cornuta), a bird called aruco locally. Its hills also hold Picramnia tumbesina, a plant known only on Cerro Masvale between 200 and 400 metres, and the higher ground shelters some typically Andean bird species.