Introducing Ecuador
Nowhere else on earth will you find so much natural diversity – and all the fun that accompanies it – in so tiny a place. Ecuador is the second-smallest country in South America, but its range of offerings is no less than astounding. In one day’s drive you can journey from the Amazon Basin across glaciated Andean volcanoes, down through tropical cloud forest and into the sunset for a dinner of ceviche on the balmy Pacific coast. One day you’ll pick through hand-woven wool sweaters at a chilly indigenous market in Otavalo; the next day you’ll sweat all over your binoculars while spying on howler monkeys in the Amazon jungles of the Oriente. For nature lovers Ecuador is a dream, with exotic orchids and birds, bizarre jungle plants, strange insects, windswept páramo (Andean grasslands), dripping tropical forests and the fearless animals that hop, wobble and swim around the unique, unforgettable Galápagos Islands.
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For the adrenaline junky, the choices are outrageous. Mountaineering and trekking are world class (try the Quilatoa Loop); toss in some horseback riding and surfing and you’ll go home with a happily aching body. For the culture vulture, Ecuador's indigenous heritage of traditional costumes and highland markets will enchant you. As for colonial architecture, few cities top the beauty of Cuenca and Quito, both of which are Unesco World Heritage Sites. And you won't want to miss Baños, with its enticing mix of natural beauty and jumping nightlife.
So, no matter if you can’t decide exactly where to go – just go! The beauty of Ecuador is that you can change your surroundings as quickly as you change your mi nd.
Ready to go?
- Uncover the best of the Galapagos
- Marvel at the biggest Inca Ruins in Ecuador
Last updated: Jan 20, 2012
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Lapping it up around the world
19 January 2012
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Greatest historical journeys: part two
5 October 2011
In the second instalment taken from Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences, we look at three more great historical journeys. So...
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Beginner’s guide to South America
29 August 2011
South America has long captivated travellers with its plethora of natural and cultural wonders. Take a quick inventory of continental...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Ecuador - reservations vs. on-the-fly
by ClearSkies 14 September 2011
I spent 2 1/2 weeks in Ecuador in July, didn't book ahead once, and never had any problems. As has already been said, only a festival…
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Latin America four month budget and voluntary work advice
by EfectoMariposa 14 September 2011
Hi - I am planning a 4 month career break starting November through until early March. I have seen a few posts about this but it seems,…
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Re: visa overstay bad idea?
by sunchaser 14 September 2011
Hi, thanks for the replies, i have some updated info. A friend of mine overstayed his tourist visa a few months ago and he had to pay…
Hotels & Hostels
Top cities in Ecuador
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Ecuador
Things to do
- All things to do (1,026)
- Activities (198)
- Entertainment (130)
- Restaurants (373)
- Shopping (96)
- Sights (187)
- Tours (42)
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Our Top Picks For Ecuador
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1 Quito’s Old Town
One of South America’s most spectacular and best preserved colonial centers
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2 Quilotoa Loop
One of the most spectacular road trips in all the Andes
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3 Volcán Chimborazo
The highest summit in Ecuador and the earth’s closest point to the sun
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4 Cuenca
One of Latin America’s prettiest colonial cities and an Unesco World Heritage Site
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5 Vilcabamba
A mellooow village in the famed Valley of Longevity with cheap massages and great hiking.
Fast Facts about Ecuador
- Foreign debt (2006)
$10.3 billion
- Origin of the panama hat
Ecuador
- Minimum wage
$148 per month
- Adult literacy rate
92.5%
- Inflation rate (2006)
2.3%
- Unemployment rate
11%
- Population
13.3 million
- Annual banana exports
4.5 million tons
- GDP per capita
$3700
- Number of presidents since 1997
nine
Our favourite Ecuador Blogs (beta)
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Safe Passage at the Border between Ecuador and Peru
Blog: Hole In The Donut - 7 February 2012
As my time in Ecuador grew to a close I vacillated over the best way to make the border crossing into Peru. Although it was possible to take a bus directly south from Cuenca to Peru, the trip would have required an eight to ten-hours bus ride to Zumba, changing to a Chiva (open sided [...]
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Sometimes the Old Ways are the Best Ways
Blog: Hole In The Donut - 4 February 2012
Gravel spit from beneath the van’s wheels as we climbed into mountains erupting with picture-postcard spring colors. Though I enjoyed my time in Cuenca, it had been difficult to connect with the local culture in a city of half a million people, so I had opted for a day tour to explore tiny towns in [...]
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Travel Inspiration: Real Men Don’t Cry
Blog: Canada's Adventure Couple - 30 January 2012
I was climbing a tree. By itself this was fine – I like climbing trees. If only I hadn’t mentioned this fact to the boss of the animal refuge where I was volunteering… I never would have ended up in this situation.
