Zaruma is a beautiful town located in the El Oro province, south of Ecuador. This is an hour from Machala and four hours south of Cuenca.  The downtown of Zaruma has narrow streets that zigzag around historic buildings. Many of Zaruma's houses open their doors in the evenings as cozy bars and coffee shops, where visitors can learn about the city's history.

Zaruma is also known for its gold mines. In fact, many people here are employed in mining.