Pillaro: Masks, Diablada and Viewpoint

The seat of the canton of Píllaro lies 2,800 metres above sea level. The workshop of Ángel Velasco, the annual Diablada Pillareña and the hilltop Plaza de la Resistencia Indígena Rumiñahui offer different ways to explore the area: masks, festival days and a viewpoint of historical significance. For your travel planning, it is therefore worth first deciding between a stay during the January dates and a focus on culture or landscape.

Mask workshop and Diablada

Ángel Velasco’s workshop is located on Avenida Carlos Contreras Ruis, at the intersection with Callejón H. A wide selection of Diablada masks in various colours and sizes is available to buy there. For travellers interested in mask art, the specific location and varied selection offer a tangible point of reference. If you are considering a visit, confirm the current availability of items for sale in advance.

The Diablada Pillareña takes place annually from 1 to 6 January in the Matriz of the canton of Píllaro, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you want to experience the festival, plan your trip for this period and check the dates and times beforehand. Unlike the workshop’s retail offering, the Diablada is a recurring annual event with clearly specified dates, allowing you to plan your stay around the event calendar.

A viewpoint with a historical background

The Plaza de la Resistencia Indígena Rumiñahui is a hilltop with a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding area. Historically, the hilltop was considered a strategic location for battles because it allowed people to see the enemy from a distance. Here, views of the landscape combine with a specific historical interpretation of the terrain. For your travel plans, the viewpoint offers a different focus from the Diablada: the surroundings and history take centre stage here, while the festival centres on fixed dates in January.

Activities at Laguna Pisayambo

Outside the canton seat, Laguna Pisayambo offers sport fishing, boat trips and hikes around the lake. Each option has a different focus: sport fishing is at the heart of fishing, a boat trip offers an experience on the water, and hikes involve walking around the lake. The contrast with the viewpoint is both thematic and practical: at the plaza, the focus is on the views and historical significance; at the lagoon, it is on activities on and around the lake.

Plan your journey and holiday apartment

Buses to Píllaro depart in Ambato from the Cashapamba transport hub, behind Hospital Regional Ambato. Check current connections and departure arrangements before travelling. When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to decide first what brings you on your trip: the Diablada ties your plans to 1–6 January, while the mask workshop and viewpoint offer different thematic focuses. This lets you tailor your holiday apartment search to the experience that matters most to you.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Baños, Patate, Ambato, Río Negro, Salasaca.

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