Route plannerESEN

Salinas

Afro-Ecuadorian culture, bomba and salt in the Chota Valley

1 route

Routes that ran through

Stop

Terminus of the Freedom Train

1,640 m

Altitude

Imbabura

Province

Salinas station

The Salinas station is the terminus of the Freedom Train, in the parish of Salinas (Imbabura), at 1,640 m above sea level, in the warm Chota Valley. The journey from Ibarra descends among dry landscapes and gorges to this vibrant Afro-Ecuadorian community, of deep roots and enormous cultural richness.

Salinas is the birthplace of bomba music, an Afro-Choteño rhythm danced with a bottle balanced on the head, and preserves its salt heritage in the Salt Museum, which tells the story of salt extraction by the Black communities. The Afro cuisine, with pigeon peas, beans and sweets, completes a unique experience that blends train, history and living culture.

Estación de tren de Salinas, Ferrocarril Transandino del Ecuador
Salinas stationSalinas (de Ibarra), Imbabura · 1,640 m a.s.l.
Altitude1,640 m
RoutesFreedom Train
PositionTerminus of the Freedom Train
Coordinates0.4990° N, 78.1330° W

Where is Salinas station?

Salinas station is located in Salinas (de Ibarra), Imbabura. Coordinates: 0.4990° N, 78.1330° W.

What to see and do nearby

Points of interest a short distance from Salinas.

Salt MuseumHistory of salt extraction by the Afro-Choteño community.Salinas centre
Bomba musicAfro-Ecuadorian rhythm and dance, the identity of the Chota Valley.Salinas
Chota ValleyWarm, dry valley of strong Afro-Ecuadorian culture.Surroundings
Afro cuisinePigeon peas, beans and traditional sweets of the community.Centre
Old railway salt worksMemory of the train tied to the salt trade.At the station
Valley trailsHikes among arid landscapes and lookouts.Surroundings

Other stations on the Freedom Train (Tren de la Libertad)

Freedom Train (Tren de la Libertad)

IbarraTerminalMain
SalinasTerminal

Station facilities

There is no official, up-to-date list of facilities for each station. Most of these stations have had no train since 2020; at those on the two stretches that run (Alausí–Sibambe and Ibarra–Andrade Marín), facilities depend on the operator of each stretch.

Historic Trans-Andean Railway station
Ticket office, toilets and other services: only on the stretches that run, and as each operator provides

Connections from Salinas

Freedom Train (Tren de la Libertad) — Ibarra ↔ Salinas (Imbabura) · partly running: only the Ibarra–Andrade Marín section, as the Tren Tayta Imbabura (public company INNOVA EP). Days: Wednesday to Sunday, departures from Ibarra at 08:00, 11:00 and 14:00, plus night trains from Thursday to Saturday at 20:00.

Getting there. Salinas is linked by road to nearby towns.

Plan your journey — use our route planner to see which route connects Salinas with other stations.

Please note. Ecuador's national railway service has been suspended since 2020 (Ferrocarriles del Ecuador, FEEP, in liquidation). Two stretches are running today: the Devil's Nose (Alausí–Sibambe), back in service on 6 June 2026 after February's landslide, and the Tren Tayta Imbabura (Ibarra–Andrade Marín), running since April 2025. The other routes, schedules and fares on this site are historical, for information and heritage purposes and subject to change. Always confirm availability before planning a trip.
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Frequently asked questions

It is an Afro-Ecuadorian community of the Chota Valley, the birthplace of bomba music and home to a singular Salt Museum.
It was the terminus of the Freedom Train, which descended from Ibarra to the Chota Valley.
No. The Ibarra–Salinas route has been suspended since 2020. The only active section in the area, the Tren Tayta Imbabura, only covers Ibarra–Andrade Marín. The town is reached by road.
The Freedom Train (Tren de la Libertad) ran through this station. Check the days and prices on the schedule and fares pages.
No. The national service has been suspended since 2020 and no train calls at this station today. Only two services run: the Devil’s Nose (Alausí–Sibambe, Thursday to Sunday) and the Tren Tayta Imbabura (Ibarra–Andrade Marín, Wednesday to Sunday). The information on this page is historical and heritage-related.

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