Stand on the edge of Parque Juan Montalvo and the cathedral from 1954 rises behind the trees, its modern lines a reminder that Ambato has rebuilt itself more than once. Walk a few blocks through the center and you will find seven large murals painted onto the walls of public buildings in early 2017, one of the few traces of the city that is not a reconstruction.
Ambato suits travellers who are passing through the Ecuadorian highlands and want a half-day of city streets, gardens and old haciendas rather than a checklist of monuments. The center is honest about its past: earthquakes, most recently in 1949, have taken much of the historic fabric, so the appeal lies in a handful of specific stops rather than a preserved colonial core.
This guide covers the sights named in the city itself, with a one-day plan that links them in a sensible order.
Top things to do in Ambato
1. City Center
The center is where Ambato's story is most visible, and also where you should temper your expectations. Much of the city has been devastated multiple times by earthquakes, most recently in 1949, so the streets do not carry the layered colonial architecture you might expect elsewhere in the highlands.
The landmark is the cathedral from 1954 next to Parque Juan Montalvo, though most locals and visitors are not too excited about its modern architecture. The real highlight is the set of seven large murals painted onto the walls of some public buildings in early 2017. Combine a walk past the cathedral and the park with a search for the murals, and treat the center as a place to wander rather than a single sight to tick off.
2. Jardín Botánico Atocha-La Liria
Ambato's botanical gardens are the greenest stop in the city and a calm counterpoint to the rebuilt center. Give yourself time to walk the grounds rather than passing through quickly.
The garden sits across the street from Quinta De Juan Leon Mera, so the two are naturally paired in a single outing. Plan them together and you have the core of a half day away from the streets.
3. Quinta De Juan Leon Mera
This hacienda-type museum is where a writer used to live, and it gives you a sense of domestic life on a highland estate. It is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00, on Dr. Rodrigo Pachano Lalama, across the street from the botanical garden.
Adjacent in the park is the similar Casa Museo Martínez-Holguín, so you can see both in one visit without travelling further. Arrive in the morning if you want to combine the quinta, the neighbouring house museum and the botanical garden in a single unhurried stretch.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Quinta De Juan Leon Mera when it opens at 09:00, then look in on the adjacent Casa Museo Martínez-Holguín in the same park. Cross the street to Jardín Botánico Atocha-La Liria and walk the gardens before lunch.
Afternoon: Head into the City Center. Take in the cathedral from 1954 beside Parque Juan Montalvo, then walk the surrounding streets looking for the seven large murals painted onto public buildings in early 2017.
Evening: Return to the City Center and Parque Juan Montalvo as the day cools, using the park as a base for a last wander past the cathedral and whichever murals you missed earlier.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the city center look so modern?
Much of the city has been devastated multiple times by earthquakes, most recently in 1949, so many buildings are reconstructions rather than originals. The cathedral from 1954 is a good example of the result.
What is the landmark of Ambato?
The cathedral from 1954 next to Parque Juan Montalvo is considered the landmark of the city, although most locals and visitors are not too excited about its modern architecture.
What are the opening hours of Quinta De Juan Leon Mera?
The quinta is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. It is on Dr. Rodrigo Pachano Lalama, across the street from the botanical garden.
Can I see the botanical garden and the writer's house in one trip?
Yes. Jardín Botánico Atocha-La Liria is across the street from Quinta De Juan Leon Mera, and the similar Casa Museo Martínez-Holguín is adjacent in the park, so all three sit within a short walk of each other.
Decide which morning you will give to the quinta and the gardens, and the rest of your Ambato plan falls into place.