Making our way around South America, we thought Loja, Ecuador would be a great place to stay and provide us easy across into Peru.  Naturally, I wanted to explore this new city!  I don’t think I will ever be back (maybe on a weekday)… and here’s why.

1. Everything is closed

When I say everything, like 99% of all the stores close down and the streets are completely empty.  It looks like a ghost town in most of Loja.

2. Not much to do in Loja, Ecuador

Loja apparently has a few adventurous activities to indulge in like hiking and horseback riding (none of which I got to do).  However, even these activities require a drive to the limits of the city to do.  So there’s not much in Loja itself, besides a few churches, museums and parks.

3. Almost impossible to find food

You know how I said for number one that everything is closed?  Yea, that includes food.  Maybe Loja just doesn’t have street food like most other cities in Ecuador.  In any case, we could not find ANY street vendors or even just regular restaurants!  A few pastry shops were the only places open while walking around.  We did, however, find a really good restaurant called El Fongón Grill a few blocks away from us (whew).  Thanks Google maps!

4. PACKED markets

We started to hear more and more people walking around, and BAM!  The markets.  Streets absolutely jam packed with people selling meat, vegetables, and all sorts of random goodies.  This is great if it’s what you’re looking for.  However, the smell of raw meat and sweaty people bumping into me was nowhere near pleasant.

5. Water and foam sprayers

This is probably just a holiday thing, but it’s on this list because it annoyed the ever living heck out of me.  I am not a fan of walking down the street minding my own business and getting sprayed in the glasses with whatever.  People with water guns and giant foam sprayers were everywhere we turned.  We even got pelted with water balloons being thrown off of balconies!  No thanks.

If you’ve had similar or completely different experiences here, let me know in the comments below!

Be sure to check out more from my trip to South America and pin this post for later.