Ecuador Travel Guide
South America

12 comfortable ships at 3 price levels with guides and activities - snorkeling, hiking, kayaking - make a memorable Galapagos holiday: Galapagos/Machu Picchu; Multisport; Hiking Galapagos; Galapagos/Amazon Wildlife

Ecuador vicuna

Image © David Torres Costales

Ecuador Map | Galapagos Guide | Galapagos Pictures

South America Map | Galapagos Tours

Why holiday in Ecuador?

This is a great South American destination for colourful culture, wildlife and outdoor activities, though in truth Peru offers a probably more colourful and widespread Andean and Inca culture experience. Peru cannot, however, compete with the Galapagos Islands!

Ecuador is small - the size of the UK - but has a huge diversity of geography, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes Mountains, with the unique Galapagos Islands a short flight offshore.
Local people have an historically rich background, with varied influences ranging from from pre-Inca and Inca to Spanish colonial. Some say these are the friendliest people in Latin America.

Galapagos Islands Map

Downside:
- Although it is relatively safe to get around compared to neighbouring Colombia and Peru, you still need to take precautions, especially in cities and around the northeastern border - though this area is not recommended.
- also, like other Andean countries, light-fingered locals local 'rateros' are common.

Weather

Best: Oct-May. Cool and dry in most areas, hot and wet on the coast.
Worst: June-Sept. Hot and humid in lowlands with wet, impassable roads in the Oriente region of the Amazon rainforest.

Attractions

***Quito. A tranquil, historic city (UNESCO World Heritage site), located between Andean volcanoes, with a pleasant atmosphere, many picturesque colonial buildings and some Inca stonework still visible.
The prime sights are: Monastery of San Francisco, La Ronda, El Panecillo (the little bread loaf) and Avenida Amazonas.

***Otavalo. A pleasant town 100 km north of Quito, famous for its colourful Indian market (Saturday is the biggest). Many locals in traditional dress come from the countryside nearby.
Some of the best quality handicraft souvenirs can be found there.

**The Oriente (The Amazon). Misahulli and Tena are popular bases in the Amazon for jungle expeditions. For a more genuine, deep jungle experience, head for Coca or Lago Agrio. Highlights include the indigenous tribes, ceibo trees, Huaorani Ecolodge and campsite, hummingbirds, blue morpho butterflies, the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve. More.

**Cuenca, one of the most attractive cities in South America, with charming colonial architecture, particular 16th -17th century churches.
Also known for Panama hats. This is a good base to explore Cajas National Park, with many scenic lakes. *Ingapirca, 50 km north, has Ecuador's best preserved Inca ruin (a fortress) - although less inspiring than those in Peru.

***Baños, a town that is developing into something of an activity base, offering both short and long hikes in stunning cloudforest or the high Andes, mountain biking and river rafting. When you stagger back to town steaming natural hot springs will soothe the limbs and varied international cuisine will fill the stomach.

*** The Galapagos Islands. One of the most irresistible wildlife scenes you could experience on earth, and the home of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Activities

Climbing and trekking: most National Parks are excellent for walks.

Birdwatching: the best places are Cajas National Park, Cotopaxi National Park, the Galapagos Islands and the jungle area.

Rainforest trips: in the Oriente, including hiking, swimming, canoeing, birdwatching. Can be arranged at Misahualí, Coca, Lago Agrio, Baños, Tena, Puyo, Macas, and Quito (but it's more expensive to book in the capital).

Swimming: due to warm coastal currents, the sea is pleasant all year round, although Jan-April is the coast's wet, mosquito season. Some sandy beaches can be found at Atacames, Bahía de Caráquez, Bahía de Manta, Salinas, San Vicente, and Playas.

Scuba diving and snorkelling: particularly good in the Galapagos Islands, but experienced divers are advised to bring their own basic gear and book in advance. If you're lucky you'll be mixing with sea lions, seals, iguanas, turtles, and hammerhead sharks - ace!

Festivals
Due to the country being Catholic, most festivals are religiously bent, so to speak.
Feb/March, The Easter Carnival, a week-long nationwide celebration, with processions and a water festival.
June, Corpus Christi, another lively religious fiesta, with a harvest celebration and folk dancing.
November, All Soul's Day, one of the most colourful religious festivals, with flowers and offerings to ancestors.
Independence day, date varies town to town, Cuenca, Quito, Guayaquil and Otavalo are the biggest.
Late December, Christmas and the New Year celebrations.

Corpus Christi Festival Tour
This 3 day trip starts and ends in Quito. Each June, thousands of Ecuadorians congregate in Pujili for the Corpus Christi festival which features El Danzante parade. This fiesta is a fascinating mix of Christian and traditional celebration of the harvest, as well as worship of Inti, the Inca sun god. The multi-day fiesta is an exhibition for the region's folk dance, music, cuisine and art; the tour also offers the opportunity to visit Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilatoa Lagoon.

Electricity:
120v, 2 flat pins.

Visa advice:
Most nationalities can get a 90 day tourist visa on arrival.

Food:
Western food is widely available, but local delicacies are worth trying. Soups and stews - sopa, locro and caldo - are the most common. Corn pancakes 'humita' are good for breakfast.
Fried food (eggs, vegetables, meat and fish) with rice or potatoes is a typical evening meal.
Try to taste 'cuy', roasted guinea pig. Splendid seafood can be served along the coast.

Shopping:
Ecuadorian handicrafts are excellent quality and reasonably priced. Local markets are good place to get souvenirs, as well as for people watching, particularly the Saturday market in Otavalo.
Homespun woollen goods are popular and ponchos from Otavalo are regarded as the best in South America. The quality of Panama hats from Cuenca is also supreme.