Salinas de Guaranda
About This Museum
Perched high in the Bolívar province, the small town of Salinas de Guaranda feels a world away from Ecuador's well-trodden tourist paths. This isn't your typical museum; it's a living, breathing community enterprise where you can see cheese, chocolate, and textiles being made by hand. The real attraction is witnessing a groundbreaking economic model that has lifted the entire region out of poverty through local cooperatives. It’s a place that engages all your senses, from the smell of aging cheese to the sight of wool being dyed with natural pigments.
Collection Highlights
Watch artisans craft Salinerito cheese in the dairy co-op and see rich chocolate being poured into molds. Don't miss the textile workshop where local women spin sheep's wool into vibrant sweaters and blankets.
Visitor Information
You can easily visit on a day trip from Guaranda, but the winding mountain roads require a good vehicle. Stop by the central tienda comunitaria (community store) to buy all the local products directly. The town is at a high altitude, so bring a jacket regardless of the season.
Architecture & Building
The 'museum' is really a collection of simple, functional workshops and factories scattered throughout the village, built from concrete and corrugated metal to serve their purpose.
Contact & Location
Address: Cooperativa de Produccion Agropecuaria "El Salinerito" PRODUCOOP, Salinas de Bolívar, Salinas, Guaranda, Bolívar, Ecuador
Website: Visit Website
