Is this some sort of fairytale? No, it’s El Ceibo Treehouse. It’s nestled in the crown of the oldest and widest Ceibo tree in all of Ecuador. This incredible tree is about 300 years old and has witnessed a lot of history. It’s an official icon of Ecuadorian cultural heritage. Local legend tells of a cruel man named Cobos who punished his workers under this very tree. One story tells of a worker who stole a guava fruit for his pregnant wife. Cobos, enraged, had the man whipped over 200 times, ultimately leading to his death. The man’s wife cursed Cobos, predicting the guava tree would cause his demise. Days later, the workers revolted and killed Cobos. Today, as you might imagine, the highlands are overrun with guava trees. Thankfully, the Ceibo tree is now owned by a kinder soul, Jose Luis Cornejo. He built the treehouse as a family retreat. Now, he welcomes visitors to experience the magic of El Ceibo Treehouse.
Playa Ochoa
“Imagine a place where sea lions bask in the sun.” This is Playa Ochoa, a stunning beach on San Cristobal