Get to know new destinations in Ecuador in the documentary project ‘Hidden Paradises’

canchimalero is a community that is north of Esmeraldas. Probably for many they are known, while for others their name is heard for the first time. But in addition to making the name known, it is about showing what can be found in this little explored place in the Touristic area.

In this sense, Ecuador never ceases to amaze its people and those who come from abroad, especially when it comes to discovering its paradises, a large part of which are still hidden and which are now being invited to discover them in the first instance through the documentary project. Hidden paradises of Ecuador of Magazine Glance.

Through a great diversity of photographic and audiovisual images you will be able to enjoy those sites that are anonymous, but that have a wide field to discover.

The plan arises in the first instance from some ideas that were given, but that did not materialize. “I was backpacking around the world, I toured the world for two years and I had spoken with Jorge Cavagnaro, who is the editor, before going on this trip. He told me: ‘propose me as something touristy’. But I was already in this matter of leaving, it was paused and when I return I tell Jorge commenting that there are places in Ecuador that have been selling themselves for a long time. Then there are the second-order ones, which are the ones that have recently become fashionable, which are also already on their own, Quilotoa, Baños, Mindo. But there is like a third line that are the ones that are hidden and I told Jorge, let’s get this out of invisibility here, we discussed it above and as if the project was put together a little, “explains Manuel Avilés, who is the presenter .

Later the plan was taking shape and for this Gabriela Pinasco, digital editor of Grupo Vistazo, also joined.

In this first stage, 13 places will be projected, in addition to Canchimalero (Esmeraldas), Bameno (Orellana), Abras de Mantequilla (Los Ríos), Cuyabeno (Cuyabeno), Saraguro (Loja), Mondragón (Puna Island), Zaruma (El Oro). , Podocarpus (Loja), Cuatro Esquinas (Chimborazo), San Antonio de Ibarra (Imbabura), Los Ceibitos (Santa Elena), El Ángel (Carchi) and Yaupi (Morona Santiago). “The destinations that we have proposed are the ones that we have heard of, most of us have not, and they are so close, easy to go to discover them. So with Gaby the name Hidden Paradises of Ecuador came out and we have been giving it shape that is getting better and better,” says Avilés, who is a photographer.

So far they have already visited eight and there are five left to record. Of each of the sites, among several characteristics, the coexistence between the community, the traditions, their customs, the gastronomy, among others, stand out.

Pinasco, who is the producer, screenwriter and interviewer of the project, points out that initially this was going to be a chronicle for the Magazine Glance, which in addition to photographs included audiovisual material, however, took a documentary format with an armed team and Ronald G. Dávila, who is the audiovisual producer, joined. “We think, this is more than for a chronicle, that it is going to go in the magazine, and in fact the format is like that, a format that combines the printed part with the digital part”, he comments.

From the experience of knowing these places, Pinasco qualifies it as a complete rediscovery of the country and that they must also be cared for, which in turn is another of the project’s objectives. “Promote responsible tourism with sustainable nature,” he says.

Avilés reiterates that in addition to remove from invisibility these places geographically, there are also other things that have been hidden for many years. He cites Ceibitos as an example, a place that from the road to the coast is one hour and fifteen minutes away. He comments that it is a small community that lives by collecting ceibo cotton and other products, and they also have various traditions.

“Not only are you going to know the destination, you are going to know a culture. then it’s a community tourism because it is organized by the community, because you are going to be part of the community, to live not only the adventure of going through these incredible forests of enchanted ceibos that Ceibitos has, but also for the adventure of living with these people and learning more about other foreign cultures to yours”, affirms Pinasco.

“When people see this, it is important that they understand that if they want tourism to be calm, relaxed, alone, this is not it. This is tourism to connect with the communities that Ecuador has, an experiential tourism,” she adds.

Data:

• The second chapter will be presented this Monday, April 25, and will be available from 10:00 on the website www.vistazo.com/paraisos-escondidos.
• The project emerged at the end of July 2021 and was launched in October of the same year.
• Depending on the destination is the time it takes to record. In Yasuní it took them a week; Cuyabeno, five days.
• The documentaries have subtitles in English, because “the intention is that outsiders know these spaces and promote tourism” in the areas.
• Also that the people of the area through tourism “can have a path of economic development so that their community grows, maintaining the cultural aspect.” (I)