Introducing Ecuador
Travel Alert: The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office recommends against all travel to some areas, please check with your relevant national government.
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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.
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: Apr 3, 2012
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Cuenca
by azbuceadora 28 May 2012
Great list, Silly; add Cajas national park as well. One of the few places left in Ecuador with native trees, and a multitude of lakes.…
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Re: 7 Days in Ecuador
by Sillyb 28 May 2012
You might want to rethink Montañita which is quite a long way South. The weather at the beach gets cloudy at the end of May and worsens…
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Re: 3 Weeks in the Ecuadorian Amazon & 5 Days Before or Post - Need Info
by Sillyb 28 May 2012
The weather at the beach gets cloudy at the end of May and worsens until September when it begins to improve until the end of November,…
Hotels & Hostels
Top cities in Ecuador
Browse more cities in EcuadorFeatured property
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Las Cuevas de Alvaro
Quito
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Ecuador
Things to do
- All things to do (1,029)
- Activities (198)
- Entertainment (130)
- Restaurants (374)
- Shopping (96)
- Sights (187)
- Tours (44)
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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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Playing With Sea Lions in the Galapagos
Blog: Canada's Adventure Couple - 7 May 2012
One thing you are sure to see when traveling to the Galapagos Islands are Sea Lions. They are everywhere. They sleep on park benches, they lay in the shade under trees and they waddle through the streets. Really, they own the joint!
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Have you ever met a Condor Face to Face?
Blog: Canada's Adventure Couple - 2 May 2012
The highlight of the day however was our visit to the Condor Sanctuary. Condors are endangered in Ecuador this sanctuary is a centre for not only condors, but hawks, eagles and owls just to name a few. Most of the birds are rescued from illegal trafficking, poachers and injuries.
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Update from the Field: Colorful Markets, Microfinance for Students + Springtime Flowers and Celebrations
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 23 April 2012
Compiled by Allison Moomey | KF16 & KF17 | Bénin Springtime has arrived and fellows around the world are celebrating the resfreshing new life springing from the ground. From millions of tulips in Turkey to smelling family members and friends in Mongolia, fellows have been busy embracing the unique cultures of their host countries.
