| Ecuador Hot Spots |
Quito
Quito sits at 2800 metres above sea level and is situated just 25km south of the Equator, it is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in South America. Quito has plenty of colonial treasures, and was declared a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1978. The old centre is full of whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs and colonial churches. The northern part of the city is the new town, containing modern offices, embassies and shopping centers.
There are a number of museums, colonial churches, impressive plazas, and an open-air Indian market all well worth seeing. With many spanish schools around the city, Quito is also a great place to learn the language before you begin your adventure. |
Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos archipelago is around 1000km west of Ecuador, covers over 50,000sq km of the Pacific Ocean, and is comprised of 19 islands. The landscape is barren and volcanic but has a unique haunting beauty. There is an interesting variety of bird and marine life including the albatross, penguin, blue-footed boobie, giant tortoise, iguana, sea lion, whale and dolphin.
The archipelago became a national park in 1959. Today, the park is protected with strict limits on where visitors are allowed to go, and all visitors must be accompanied by a certified naturalist tour guide. The best way to see the islands is by boat, with various types of cruises available. |
Banos
Situated in a valley of waterfalls and hot springs, Banos has become a mecca for international travellers seeking year-round temperate weather, a small town atmosphere, and a base for exploring the great Ecuadorian outdoors.
Located four hours by bus from Quito, Banos offers hot springs, horse riding, trekking, rafting, climbing and mountain biking. It also offers easy access to Riobamba, the starting point of the train journey to Alusi and the Devil’s Nose Switchback, and to Puyo, one of the gateways to the Amazon. |
Ecuador Amazon
This large region in the lowlands of the Amazon basin has huge areas of rainforest and lures visitors interested in natural history, ecology, tropical habitats, indigenous tribes, bird watching and jungle treks. The main service towns in the region are Macas, Puyo, Tena, Coca and Lago Agrio.
This area of the Amazon is home to colourful butterflies, exotic birds like toucans, fresh water dolphins and the elusive jaguar. The Ecuadorian jungle has per square metre, the highest bio-diversity on the planet - many of the species found here are still unknown to science! |
Cuenca
Cuenca, located in the rugged mountain ranges of the Andes, is the third largest city in Ecuador. From archeological discoveries, inhabitants of Cuenca date back to 8060BC, creating a long and fascinating history which is the biggest draw card here.
The center of the city is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site because of its historical buildings. The Old Cathedral of the city was built in 1557, it is now a museum which is being restored. Nearby, the Cañar plantation is home to the largest Inca ruins in Ecuador, Ingapirca with its main feature, the Temple of the Sun. These ruins can be visited on a day trip from Cuenca. |
Guayaquil
Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador with over 3.3 million people and has the country’s largest port. Guayaquil is the only other city along with Quito that has flights to the Galapagos Islands.
Many of Ecuador’s famous artists were born here, creating a well known legacy. Las Peñas is the artistic hub of the city, with some of the area’s 400-year-old houses now converted into art galleries. |
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is a province in Ecuador known as part of the ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’. There are a few different highlights in this area, Cotopaxi Volcano which is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, and is part of a chain of volcanoes around the Pacific plate known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. It sits in Cotopaxi National Park
which is a protected area.
Cotopaxi is also known for its various haciendas in the area, these historical old buildings are fully restored for guests to enjoy this unique style of accommodation, the outdoor activities and beautiful surroundings. |
Otavalo
Three volcanoes Imbabura, Cotacachi, and Mojanda surround the valley town of Otavalo, creating a picturesque location. Once mainly a farming community, the focus on tourism has now turned Otavalo into a popular stop with their famous Saturday Markets offering all sorts of handicrafts.
You’ll find the locals here in very traditional clothing, the women with dark skirts, embroidered white blouses, coloured bands around their waists and long plated hair, while the men wear dark pants and blue ponchos. Without a doubt, these are one of the best markets in South America. |