Arenillas Ecological Reserve, Nature reserve in Huaquillas, Ecuador
The reserve spans 17,000 hectares of xerophytic vegetation along the Ecuadorian coast, featuring tropical dry forests and mangrove ecosystems near the Peruvian border.
The area transitioned from a military reserve in 1971 to an ecological reserve in 2001 under Ecuador's National System of Protected Areas management.
The reserve functions as a natural laboratory for scientific research, enabling studies of biodiversity and endemic species within Ecuador's southwestern region.
Visitors can access the reserve daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM without entrance fees, exploring two marked trails through the dry forest ecosystem.
During the first winter rains between December and January, the Guayacan trees produce yellow flowers that transform the entire forest landscape.
Location: Huaquillas
GPS coordinates: -3.53953,-80.14781
Latest update: March 10, 2025 04:43
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