The Museo de Ciencias Naturales in the Colegio Nacional Bolivar is filled with stuffed birds and animals, some of them looking a bit forlorn and ragged. There's also a memorable collection of old photographs of Ambato, as well an interesting geological collection. The museum is open 8:30am to 12:30pm and 2:30 to 6:30pm, weekdays only.

Visiting the homes of Ambato's most illustrious citizens is also possible. Ask the tourist office for details of the houses of well-known Ecuadorean writers Juan Montalvo [1833–1889] and Juan Leon Mera [1832–1894], as well as La Quinta de Liria. They are in the suburbs, a walk or taxi ride away.

Fiestas

The city is also famous for its exuberant Fiesta de Frutas y Flores during carnival time in February. Throwing water - popular throughout the rest of the country during Carnival time - is actually banned...in Ambato they use foam instead! The Monday market is the country's largest, though it isn't known for its artesania.

Around Ambato
All the highland villages around Ambato are good places to catch local fiestas. May and June are probably the best months, with big Corpus Christi celebrations in Salasaca and Pelileo, and Santo Vintio on June 15 in Salasaca.

A few kilometres north of Pelileo and off the main Ambato–Banos road is the attractive village of Pelileo, reminiscent of the Douro Valley in Portugal, with its grapevines and views over Rio Patate.
Here you can arrange tours into the little-known Parque Nacional Llanganates.

Last updated 7th July 2006

|Article contributed by Dominic Hamilton|||

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