Principal, Ecuador

Principal is a town and rural parish in Chordeleg Canton, Azuay Province, Ecuador. It is located 18 km south of Chordeleg, and 65 km from the city of Cuenca. It was founded as a parish by Executive Decree on June 12, 1953, under the presidency of José María Velasco Ibarra. The average temperature is 15.3 °C (59.5 °F). Cuenca, the third largest city in Ecuador, is only a two-hour bus ride away.

Locally weaved original Panama Hats
Principal as seen from the Northeastern hills

Culture and tourism

Principal is known for its secluded natural environment and artisanal products. There are a number of hikes and guided tours to natural sites including La Cabaña,[1] El Infiernillo,[2] El Chorro,[3] La Cruz de Misión,[4] La Burra Playa,[5] and Las Tres Lagunas.[6] There is a river that runs through the valley in Principal called the Rio Samba Rancho,[7] with local trout or "troucha." Each year in April the town hosts a "Festival de las Manzanas"[8] or "Apple Festival" to showcase the fruit from the previous season. The event has many different dishes made from apples and festivities in the center of town at the "Cancha" or court.

View of downtown Principal and the Southwestern hills.

The women of Principal are frequently seen in their traditional indigenous dress weaving hats while they walk down the street and go about their lives. "Cuy", or guinea pig, is a local delicacy in all of Ecuador and is served on special occasions in Principal. There are a number of different artisan groups in Principal who weave their products and sell them in a local store as well as a fair trade store in Cuenca.

References
  1. "La Cabaña".
  2. "El Infiernillo".
  3. "El Chorro".
  4. "La cruz de Misión".
  5. "La Burra Playa".
  6. "Las tres lagunas".
  7. "Google Maps".
  8. Gad Principal (16 March 2016). "FIESTA DE LA MANZANA 2016" – via YouTube.

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