Project History

Oyacachi has been a point of interest for tourism projects since the late 1990s, when residents constructed their natural thermal springs pools.

Since the opening of the thermal pools, Oyacachi has been a destination for locals and school trips. These visitors are great, but come en mass and only leave an average of $3.50 US per person.  Oyacachi has much more to offer than just its natural thermal springs. 

The Ecuadorian Sustainable Tourism Alliance, a USAID-funded project, has worked with local residents to help raise their profile and bring increased economic and conservation efforts to the area.  The idea of quality over quantity is helping to change the community’s experience with tourism. 

Offering new products to a different market will improve the quality of the Oyacachi experience for the tourists and community, as well as the pristine natural environment that both enjoy so much.