Community of Bacpancel

A few minutes from the parish seat of San Juan is the Bacpancel Annex. In 2009, its inhabitants decided to organize and develop a community tourism initiative. Today, the Artisan and Solidarity Tourism Association of Bacpancel receives visits from the country and the world, to showcase the attractions of the community.

As in many other places in Azuay, toquilla straw weaving supports the local economy. They make hats, crocheted bags, cholas figures, jewelry boxes, baskets, cup holders, placemats, decorative bottles, baskets, napkin rings, containers. The Artisan Association practices fair trade with the 30 women weavers, from whom they buy their products at a good price to sell them in stores in Quito and Cuenca. They have the experience of having exported to Italy and Brazil. Other crafts they are dedicated to are embroidery and weaving.

Bacpancel is a typical town of the Ecuadorian mountain range. Located 30 minutes south of Gualaceo. It can be reached by the road to San Juan. In the landscape, its low hills and houses built with traditional materials such as tiles and adobe stand out.

They have a solid proposal of community tourism, which is executed with tours to the Pishi hill, the Tasqui waterfall, the Tari viewpoint and the Lanacocha lagoon.

But the strength lies in the experience of the customs and traditions. Tourists can get involved in the process of planting and harvesting. Or live the experience of the pampas. It is a communal meal, with food placed directly on cloth in the middle of the field. The pampamese is the maximum expression of solidarity, after working together.

The gastronomic offer of the site includes guinea pig with potatoes, mote pata, barley rice, locro de zambo and barley peeled with bacon. Other activities promoted are traditional dances, natural medicine, livestock for cheese production and organic gardens with vegetables and fruit trees

Its main celebrations are held on 24, 25 and 26 May in honour of the Virgen del Auxilio, with a flag, a game of skirmish and pampamesa.