Portoviejo

Portoviejo is a city of Ecuador, and the capital the Province of Manabí distant 30 Km from the Pacific coast. (Population: about 250,000). Also known as the city of the "Royal Tamarind Trees" for the beautiful trees found in the area. Portoviejo is the main political and economical centre of the river Portoviejo valley, which also includes the cantons of Santa Ana and Rocafuerte, where about 110 square kilometres are cultivated every year. The valley is rich in the production of tomatoes, onion, pepper, banana, mangoes and other tropical fruits. The city, which was affected by the economical crisis in the eighties and nineties, is now recovering but severe budget limitations and huge unemployment rate make things difficult for local authorities. Locals are very friendly and seem well educated. Portoviejo is the perfect place to enjoy the traditional Manabí cuisine, of great fame in Ecuador, usually at country side restaurants located on the side of the Portoviejo-Crucita roadway.

Founded March 12, 1535 by the Spanish captain Francisco Pacheco as "Villa Nueva de San Gregorio de Portoviejo".