To reactivate tourism on Santay Island, some 40 cyclists from two local groups made a tour on the morning of this Sunday, March 13.
They left at 08:00 from the steps of Las Peñas and reached the bridge that connects Guayaquil with the island and that was reopened two months ago after suffering damage when it was hit again by a boat.
There began the adventure to reach Santay and rediscover its trails.
“We want to warn people that the bridge has been open for more than two months. Let them come, let them use it and in this way we help reactivate the community that has been without income for two years due to the pandemic,” said Fanny Condo, zonal director 8 of the Ministry of Tourism.
She also made the tour together with the athletes and explained that the ecovillage can be reached by bicycle in a maximum of 30 minutes, although it can also be done by boat or on foot.
At the foot of the reopened bridge you can rent a bicycle for $4 for three hours, enough time to visit the sector, see the species, eat, take photos and learn more about ecology.
In the ecovillage there is a dining room, where typical dishes are offered, and a food court, where you can buy snacksempanadas, tortillas and more.
There is also the possibility of spending the night on the island, as there are three cabins that can be rented. It costs $30 per person and includes transportation, food, and expert guidance.
Those who live on the island say that the last few years have been complex, with no income from tourism, but they are grateful that the COVID-19 virus left no victims in this ecological zone.
Community member Benito Parrales, who was the crocodile breeder on the island, said that during confinement they did not have the resources to even feed the crocodiles that live in captivity and that the Municipality of Guayaquil assumed that task.
These animals in captivity can live up to 50 years, but those that travel the Gulf of Guayaquil live up to 120 years, explained Parrales, an expert in catching these reptiles.
On Santay Island there are currently 56 houses in the ecovillage, built years ago. 315 people live there, between adults and children.
However, the route from Durán to Santay is not currently open.
The criminals have arrived in boats for more than a year and little by little they have stolen the aluminum and all the material that forms the roads; there they have looted that section of the route, said the director of Tourism. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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