Very close to San Gabriel, in the Montúfar canton, I found a place I’ll never forget: El Salado Lagoon. It’s a place I always return to when I want to breathe pure air and be close to nature. This time, I was searching for silence and something different—and what I found was history, legends, landscapes, and flavors. This hidden corner of Carchi spoke directly to my heart. And I want to tell you why.
🧙‍♂️ A Legend That Lingers in the Air
This story was told to me by my grandfather, Carlos Andino. He was only 10 years old when, according to him, he used to accompany his older brother to work on El VĂnculo hacienda. There, he witnessed something that would stay in his memory forever.
He recounted that the owner of the hacienda, Mr. Ignacio Fernández Salvador, was a powerful and reserved man. One day, near the lagoon, he saw this landowner throw gold coins into the water while whispering strange words. My grandfather remembered that Mr. Ignacio told them sternly, “Don’t look, turn your backs. This is not for you to see.”
And although they obeyed, the echo of that moment was forever engraved in him. That scene was retold again and again at family gatherings, and I heard it many times with my heart racing. They said that the act was part of a pact with the devil, and that each coin thrown into the lagoon sealed his desire for more wealth and power.
Ever since, I can’t look at the waters of El Salado Lagoon without thinking of that story. What if it’s true? What if that sparkle sometimes seen on the surface isn’t the sun… but the gold from the past?
🚣‍♀️ Drifting Over a Whisper
I didn’t think twice. As soon as I saw the boats ready for a ride on the lagoon, I jumped into one. The water was calm, gently rippled by the wind. The boatman slid us across slowly, and as we drifted toward the center, I looked around at the green hills and that silence that only magical places know how to keep. I closed my eyes and let the wind tell me what the earth still whispers.
From the boat, the landscape changes. Everything becomes deeper. More intimate. And I understood why so many people come here seeking something more than a beautiful photo.
🚴‍♀️ Cycling with the Soul
Around the lagoon, you can ride a bike or go for a jog. I’m no expert, but I gave it a try. I grabbed a bicycle and began circling the lagoon. Between effort and awe, I realized that the landscape kept changing, each time more beautiful than before, with the lagoon always in the background like a perfectly framed picture.
Uphill, downhill, curving paths… and with each stretch, a new way to see the lagoon. Birds followed me with their gaze, and trees stood tall as if they had heard every legend of this place. I felt my body working hard, but my mind becoming free.
🍽️ Eating With the Heart
After the ride, hunger came as a good omen. I walked over to a small stand by the lagoon and ordered what everyone else was having: fried trout. Golden, crispy, juicy. I paired it with corn and cheese. The price didn’t exceed $3.50. Everything had that homemade flavor that you only find in kitchens where food is still prepared with love.
And as if that weren’t enough, I ended the experience with a handmade ice cream made from Andean fruits. I chose blackberry. It felt as if the earth itself had offered me a feast.
đź’« What I Found at El Salado
I came without expecting much. Just a breath of fresh air. But El Salado gave me more: a story that lingers in the water, a breeze that caresses like a memory, a silence that speaks louder than a thousand words.
The legend of the landowner, the boat rides, cycling around the lagoon, and the flavors of Carchi… it’s all there. But there’s also what cannot be put into words—that feeling of having stepped into a place with soul. A story told by my grandfather.
🗺️ How to Get There
From the city of San Gabriel, in Montúfar canton, you can take a bus to the parish of Piartal and get off at the entrance to the lagoon—it’s right on the way. It’s an easy route, surrounded by meadows. If you go by car, even better: every curve in the road invites you to stop, breathe, and admire.
If you have the chance, stay more than a day. You can spend the night in San Gabriel. Walk without rushing, talk to the people, taste what they cook with such pride. And listen. Because the lagoon will speak to you. Maybe not with words, but with sensations only those who allow themselves to feel will understand.
Article written by Lia – Holistic Coaching | Instagram: @lia_hec | WhatsApp: +593 979881234 | Photos: personal file
