A pleasant, beautiful, and friendly country straddling the equator, Ecuador has lots and lots to offer for both the inexperienced and the seasoned traveler. From Andean Indian markets, remote jungle towns, and tropical beaches, this small country is relatively easy to travel, yet offers lots of unexpected highlights. Here is a list of ten things to do in Ecuador.
Quito, the capital of Ecuador
Quito, Quito… There are many days, especially in winter, that I think of this city and imagine myself walking leisurely along the main shopping street in shorts. Quito has the incredible advantage that it has virtually the same springlike temperature all year long: 20-21 degrees. Besides the excellent weather, the city offers beautiful colonial architecture, excellent restaurants, and interesting museums.
The Ecuadorian Jungle
The Ecuadorian jungle offers some of the best wildlife watching and ecotourism on the continent. Rent a room in one of the jungle lodges, for example on the Rio Napo, and take a guided tour. The local guides will be able to reveal all of the wonders of the Amazon to you, while you can enjoy the sounds of the jungle calling you…
Otavalo Market
Otavalo is world famous for its Saturday open-air market and a major attraction. This is one of the reasons why not everyone likes to visit it, but I myself enjoy it thoroughly. There are so many gorgeous and colorful textiles, arts, and crafts that are on display here, that your neck will hurt from the constant head turning that you’re bound to do all day. If you’d like to avoid the crowds, you can visit the markets in some of the surrounding villages.
Ingapirca Ruins
Backpackers who enter Ecuador from the south, coming from Peru, have usually had their fair share of Inca ruins, but these ruins are worth visiting. these ruins are unique. Ingapirca offers the major Inca ruins in Ecuador. The Temple of the Sun, with its mortarless stonework, is the main structure of the site. An easy day tour from Cuenca, this site is not to be missed for travelers interested in Inca history and architecture.
National Park Cotopaxi
Parque Nacional Cotopaxi is without a doubt the most visited national park in the country. Its main attraction is the gorgeous, snowcapped cone of volcano Cotopaxi, which is also Ecuador’s second-highest peak and which can be seen from afar. Activities in the park include hiking, mountaineering, and camping.
Mindo
Mindo is a good place to do some bird and butterfly watching. The village is about three or four hours west of Quito. The forests here are a delight to look at and wander through, features waterfalls and orchids, among others. For the more adventurous, the area offers zipline tours and tubing on the Mindo River.
Guayaquil
It’s big, it’s loud, and it’s busy, but Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city has an atmosphere of its own. Hate it or love it, the city offers attractions, such as beautiful colonial buildings, good museums, and friendly people. For those looking for relaxation, the grand riverfront boulevard here offers the chance to mingle with the locals and admire the evening sun as it slowly makes its way beyond the horizon…
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos archipelago achieved fame as the islands where biologist Charles Darwin developed his evolutionary theory. These volcanic islands are a great getaway and an excellent way to spot all kinds of wildlife. The wildlife that inhabits or visits these islands is world famous for its fearlessness. Flying here from the mainland is not cheap, but walking on the hardened lava and being eye-to-eye penguins and turtoises is priceless…
Volcano Quilotoa
Volcan Quilotoa, located west of the city of Latacunga, is famous for its wide (about 3 km, or 2 miles) and beautiful crater lake. Its worth getting to the top of the crater and being rewarded with stunning views from the green crater lake beneath and Cotopaxi in the distance. From the crater top, you can walk down to the lake in about half an hour, which is worth it just to get a good smell of the crater lake.
Parque National Cajas
National park Cajas, at about 30 km. from the city of Cuenca, is relatively new, having been declared a national park in 1996. Located in the highlands, it offers rugged terrain, which makes the many gorgeous lakes around here stand out even more. The park offers hiking trails, views of the mountains, and wildlife watching, among others the elusive condor.
This Ecuador Things To Do list is brought to you by Voyager Zone!
