Discover Patate

Patate can be viewed from several perspectives when planning a trip: cultural stories in the town, natural features across the wider canton, trails and activities, and local food culture. It is important to consider the geographical scale: the Basílica del Señor del Terremoto and Parque Infantil are specific locations in the town, while the lagoons and some of the activity themes relate to Patate canton. This distinction lets you separate cultural sites in the town from landscapes and activities across the wider canton, and prioritize your interests for your stay. If you are looking for hotels in Patate, this is a first decision point: should your trip focus mainly on cultural sites in the town, or also explore the canton’s landscapes and activities?

Culture and Getting Your Bearings in Patate

The image of the Señor del Terremoto is located on the main altar of the Basílica del Señor del Terremoto. Various stories tell of its appearance. The image and these stories connect a specific place in Patate with a cultural tradition. Parque Infantil is in La Matriz, Patate, at the entrance to the canton, behind the municipal Coliseum. La Matriz and the Coliseum provide two specific reference points for its location in the town.

Landscapes in Patate Canton

In the wider canton, Laguna de Sudahua lies in the páramo of El Sucre parish at an elevation of 3,171 m; it offers panoramic views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The Lagunas de San Borja are considered an important water reserve for the region. By comparison, the focus at Sudahua is on the views from a high elevation, while at San Borja it is on its regional importance as a water reserve. The two lagoon destinations thus offer different perspectives on the canton’s landscapes.

Activities and Hiking Trails

In Patate, the Kuripishku Route includes activities such as trekking, camping, birdwatching, horseback riding, photography, plant observation, cultural exchange, food tastings, cycling, and sport fishing. The options range from walking, cycling, and riding to nature observation, cultural exchange, and culinary experiences. It therefore offers more than hiking alone. Named hiking trails in Patate canton include Mundug, Platupamba, Manteles, Platuquiral–La Carbonería, El Triunfo, Río Muyo–Calzoncillo, and Plata; there is also the old road to Vizcaya. These names provide specific points of reference for hiking, while the Kuripishku Route brings together various kinds of activities.

Arepas and Local Food Culture

The arepa tradition is part of local food culture in Patate canton. Many Patate residents continue to prepare and sell arepas in old wood-fired ovens made of cangagua and bricks. Arepas and grape chicha together are considered a gastronomic attraction unique to all of Ecuador. This culinary specialty therefore owes its distinctiveness both to the continued preparation and sale of arepas and to their combination with grape chicha.

Discover more destinations: Pillaro, Salasaca, Río Negro, Baños, Ambato

For the broader travel overview: Tungurahua.