Guano

Guano is a small, quaint town in a valley near Riobamba.

There are several buses that leave each day for Guano from Riobamba. They cost $0.25 and the ride takes about 20 minutes.

Guano is small, the downtown area can easily be seen on foot.

• Guano has a small museum (entrance fee $1) that showcases some pre-Columbian pottery, textiles, and the mummy of a monk that was found entombed in the wall of an old church. There is a small beautiful park in the center of town.

• One popular activity is to climb the hill located at the end of town near where the bus drops you off. The hill has a large staircase with several stone carvings, and offers a spectacular view of the city and the surrounding mountains. On a clear day one can see El Altar, the erupting volcano Tungurahua, and Chimborazo, the highest peak in Ecuador.

• Guano is known for its shoes- the street where the bus drops you off is lined with stores selling everything from hiking boots to high heels. Beware, though: No one carries anything in a size bigger than 42 (European), which roughly corresponds to a 10 in American sizes.
• Guano's other claim to fame is its rugs- myriad shops sell rugs and carpets of all shapes and sizes, and if one haggles you can get a very good price.

• Cholas are small rolls filled with a sweet, sticky filling not unlike molasses. They are only made in Guano, so buy some while you are here. You will see signs all over for cholas, they should cost about $0.25 apiece.
• Guano is also known for its fritaderias, restaurants that sell plates of pork that has been stewed in juices until it is falling off the bone. A plate, which normally costs about $3-4, also will contain boiled choclo, or corn, and sometimes a fried plantain or banana. Look for the numerous 'Fritaderia' signs.