Jipijapa Canton

Jipijapa Canton is an administrative division in coastal Manabí Province with both urban and rural parishes spread across the region. The main settlement is San Lorenzo de Jipijapa, surrounded by smaller communities including Puerto Cayo, La América, and El Anegado.

The canton was established in 1824 as one of the region's administrative divisions following Ecuador's independence. This founding shaped how the area developed organizationally under provincial governance.

The name comes from a Manta word referring to clay found in the region. Rural villages maintain traditional crafts and agricultural practices that shape daily life across the parishes.

Visitors can explore the canton's different communities on foot or using local transport, with San Lorenzo de Jipijapa serving as the main access point. The dry season is the best time to visit, when roads are passable and travel is easier.

The region contains several natural mineral springs, including sulfur-rich water sources near Chocotete volcano in the Joa district. These springs represent a natural resource that occasionally draws visitors interested in their properties.