Vilcabamba, a small town with only 5,000 inhabitants, is said to have the highest number of inhabitants over 100 years in the entire Ecuador. A healthy consistent spring climate, a stress-free life and a diet with lots of corn, beans and vegetables but little meat and dairy products shall be the secret of the long life. If the very old people do also eat the local specialty pan de bananas (rather a banana cake than bread) isnt known by the author. Vilcabamba itself is a pretty village with lots of young backpackers and ageing hippies not less, not more.