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Ecuador

Garden sights in Ecuador

  1. Jardín Botánico de Guayaquil

    About a half-hour drive north of town near Cerro Colorado, this botanical garden has over 80 orchid varieties and nearly 700 plant species. Paths and trails lead you past the plant exhibits and tropical birds flutter overhead. There is a gift shop, café, butterfly garden and an auditorium.

    Insect repellent is recommended in the rainy months. With a few days' advance notice, a guided tour can be arranged.

    The most efficient way of getting there is to take a taxi and ask for Urbanización de Los Orquídeas. Chasquitur offers tours and has information.

    reviewed

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    Jardín Botánico

    The Parque la Carolina’s newest addition is the Jardín Botánico. With more than 300 plant and tree species from around Ecuador and an outstanding orquideario (orchid greenhouse) featuring nearly 1000 orchid species, it’s well worth the admission price. An ethno-botanical garden is also in the works.

    reviewed

  3. Orquideario

    If you've any interest in the world's most outrageous and beautiful plant species, you'll love the Universidad de Cuenca's Orquideario. With over 400 species of orchids, it's hailed as one of the country's best. Most plants are in flower between December and May - it's truly a sight to behold!

    reviewed

  4. Parque Calderón

    Parque Calderón is, without a doubt, Cuenca's showpiece plaza. The city's main plaza is dominated by the Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción, the 'new cathedral,' whose giant sky-blue domes are visible mainly from the rear of the church.

    reviewed

  5. Parque La Libertad

    A few blocks southeast of Parque Maldonado (Primera Constituyente at Espejo), Parque La Libertad is anchored by its neoclassical basilica (Veloz near Alvarado), famous for being the only round church in Ecuador.

    reviewed

  6. Orquideario

    The highlight of Parque La Banda/Orillas de Zamora (8 de Diciembre) is the beautifully designed Orquideario, which has over 200 species of orchids from southern Ecuador.

    reviewed

  7. Jardín Botánico Reynaldo Espinosa

    Across the road from the Parque Universitario La Argelia, the Jardín Botánico Reynaldo Espinosa is a botanical garden with nearly 900 plant species.

    reviewed

  8. Parque Maldonado

    The handsome, tree-filled Parque Maldonado is flanked by Riobamba’s cathedral on the northeastern side.

    reviewed

  9. Parque 21 de Abril

    Just north of downtown, the Parque 21 de Abril has an observation platform with views of the surrounding mountains.

    reviewed