Valdivia
Valdivia is a fishing comuna on the Ruta del Spondylus in Manglaralto parish, Santa Elena canton. It gave its name to the Valdivia culture (about 3800–1500 BC), one of the oldest pottery-making cultures in the Americas, famous for its small female figurines known as "Venus of Valdivia".
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Parish | Manglaralto, Santa Elena canton |
| Beach | About 0.7 km |
| Water | Junta Regional de Valdivia (community water board, also serving San Pedro, Sinchal, Barcelona and Carrizal) |
| Nature | Estuary with mangrove remnants; offshore lies the El Pelado marine reserve |
Museo Valdivia
The Museo Valdivia was the first site museum and community museum in Ecuador. It is built on the archaeological site itself and shows Valdivia pieces and those of other pre-Hispanic cultures of the south-central coast; an underground room shows part of the excavation through a glass case. Nearby is the Parque Marino Valdivia, an exhibition centre for local flora and fauna.
Getting there
Buses along the E-15 from Terminal Sumpa towards Montañita pass Valdivia. See Buses Along the Ruta del Spondylus.
See also
- Real Alto — another major Valdivia-culture site, in Chanduy parish
- Manglaralto
- Ayangue
Sources: PDOT cantón Santa Elena 2023–2027 (pp. 57, 104, 195, 220–221); PDOT Provincia de Santa Elena 2015–2019 (p. 216).