Location

Tumbaco Valley is located 14 km to the northwest of Quito (the capital of the Republic of Ecuador) at an average altitude of 2332 meters above sea level.

Weather

It is hot and semi-humid, the temperature in summer can reach 30 degrees Celsius and in winter, the temperature can go as low as 12 Celsius. Throughout the year, the average temperature varies from 12 to 26 degrees Celsius.

As the most sheltered part of the valley, Tumbaco and Cumbayá have become the preferred places of residence of Quitenos and of foreign residents coming to this region for work on a temporary (3 to 4 years) or permanent basis.

Population

Tumbaco currently has a population of 40,000. The Mestizo population engages in the production of food, flowers, raising animals and so on. However, it is not uncommon to find people from all over the world, that are fascinated by the contrasts of this city and its wonderful climate and who have decided to make their temporary stay permanent. They have formed multicultural and multiethnic families who end up being one of the most interesting attractions in the area.

History and festivities

Tumbaco in the past was populated by the Ayllus, Cayapas, Paeces and Colorado. According to historians, these tribes were part of the Kingdom of Quito and did not submit to the unified control of the Zámbizas, Guangopolos and Nayon. It is an urban area that has grown over the years, extending to the valley of Cumbaya and the surrounding area.

Legend states that there once lived an Indian widow called Cristina Tumaco, she was an intelligent and the sole owner of the town’s property. Cristina Tumaco donated three blocks of land; in the first block the church was built with the cemetery in front of it; in the second block the convent was built and in the third block were the first homes of the population. These blocks become the cornerstone of the town of Tumaco and helped put Tumaco Valley on the map.

At the beginning, the valley of Tumbaco was a place of trade between the highlands and the jungle.

The largest celebration takes place between November 29 and December 8, the dates on which they celebrate the town’s beginning, dating back from 1660.