Embracing Conservation: The Heart of Ecotourism

Paola Villalba, Sales Manager at Jocotours, tells us how her interest in promoting tourism in Ecuador began.

"Since childhood, I have enjoyed family trips to the mountains, thanks to my parents, who taught me to love and respect nature. My interest in understanding how our planet works, including its geography and ecosystems, led me to study ecotourism. Additionally, I have always been passionate about birdwatching, which I enjoy with my husband and now with my children.

Her ties with Jocotoco began when she visited the reserves many years ago, driven by her fervent birding passion. Paola became an essential part of our team.

"I first learned about Jocotoco when I was in college. I visited reserves like Yanacocha, Buenaventura, and Tapichalaca. Later, I had the opportunity to work in Jocotoco's ecotourism department before Jocotours was created. During my time here, I worked in different areas, from hotel management to marketing and sales. After some time away, I returned with more experience and knowledge, which has helped to improve our processes."

Currently, Jocotours promotes birding and conservation tourism in our network of 17 reserves and throughout Ecuador. We manage five exceptional lodges located in natural areas of great biodiversity. Each reserve has its own history and identity. For this reason, Jocotours offers exciting activities to suit all interests.

"Some tourists enjoy watching birds, mammals, reptiles, and other wildlife. Others prefer to hike and admire waterfalls, plants, and exceptional scenery. But knowing that their visit contributes to conservation gives them added satisfaction," says Paola.

Paola highlights the southern circuit of Jocotoco's reserves as a particularly recommendable and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"I recommend starting at the Buenaventura Reserve. It's an oasis of rainforest in the dry Tumbes region. Here, we protect the endangered El Oro Parakeet, a colorful bird. Visitors can see our efforts with the nest boxes. Fifty to 100 fledglings successfully emerge from them each year.

Our next stop on this southern tour is Cerro de Arcos. This unique ecosystem is a páramo, a high alpine and windswept landscape covered in grasses, shrubs, and beautiful wildflowers. It's surrounded by rocky crags and cliffs. Here we protect the critically endangered Blue-throated Hillstar hummingbird. Only 80 to 100 of them survive in our reserve. They nest in caves here.

After that, is Jorupe. It is an impressive dry tropical forest with massive ceibo trees. You can see the White-tailed Jay from our lodge in this reserve.

Then you can visit Utuana Reserve. There, you can see the Rainbow Starfrontlet, a lovely hummingbird with a multicolored front.

The next stop is Tapichalaca, our most famous reserve, where the Jocotoco Antpitta lives. This is the namesake of our foundation. When you arrive at Casa Simpson Lodge, someone will greet you with chocolate. The rooms are warm, and the atmosphere is cozy.

The tour concludes at the Copalinga Reserve. It has a diverse range of plants and animals in old-growth forests.

This circuit includes an amazing variety of ecosystems, delicious local food, and other historical and cultural attractions."

By exploring our reserves, you're supporting our conservation efforts and uplifting the heartbeats of local communities.

Paola highlights: "What distinguishes us, besides the natural wealth of our reserves, are the wonderful people who work in them. They possess kindness, friendliness, and a deep knowledge of the forest and species we protect. This ensures that every visit is a unique and unforgettable experience.

We invite you to discover Ecuador's biodiversity and uniquely connect with nature. Contact us at Jocotours and support responsible tourism! Your new destination is conservation!