Discover the Traditional Bread from Portoviejo, Ecuador

Portoviejo, the capital of the coastal province of Manabí in Ecuador, has a diverse population of 280,029 inhabitants. Mestizos constitute 70% of the population, while the “montuvios” ethnic group represents 20%, and 10% are of European descent. Located 355 km from Quito and 35 km from the Pacific Ocean, Portoviejo features a major port and an international airport, with a climate characterized by a rainy season from January to April and a dry season from May to December, averaging 26°C annually. The city’s cultural and economic development is tied to its natural surroundings, particularly the Portoviejo River, which supports fishing and trade for 35% of the workforce, while agriculture and cultural industries, including gastronomy and handicrafts, account for 15% each. Governed by an autonomous municipality, Portoviejo’s annual budget of $121 million focuses on reconstruction efforts after the devastating earthquake on April 16, 2016, which caused approximately $2 billion in losses in the province of Manabí.