Ecuador has made a niche, little by little and quietly, in the South American itinerary of many adventurers
If we were to hold a travel popularity contest in South America, **Ecuador** would not come out on top. Nor, probably, in the top three.
In terms of fame, the Andean country is constantly overwhelmed by the attractions of its neighbors. And yes, the beaches of Brazil may be more impressive and few ancient ruins on the continent (and the world) overshadow Machu Picchu... but That has not prevented Ecuador from making a niche, little by little and quietly, in the South American itinerary of more than one adventurer.
And it is that whoever dares to enter this seemingly forgotten corner of the continent awaits a more than pleasant surprise. Jumping between the Pacific and the Andes, between jungle and desert, Ecuador is a combination of mountains, jungle and beach, dotted with cosmopolitan cities, rivers of adrenaline and ancient cultures. Ecuador has it all.
Colonial style houses in the center of Quito
I REMOVE
The first surprise that Ecuador will give you awaits you as soon as you get off the plane, in the colonial marvel that is Quito, the capital.
Dramatically located in the middle of the Andean mountain range, Quito is a hodgepodge of cathedrals, palaces, and cobbled streets, where life goes by punctuated by market Sundays and holy days.
Quito's great jewel is the old quarter, which earned the city the title of being the first in South America to win the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This labyrinth of squares and churches wanders between slopes and hills (Quito, and Ecuador in general, is many things, but flat is not one of them), and the day is divided between late breakfasts in the Plaza Grande, next to the National Palace, lunch in Calle Ronda and the nightlife of Plaza Foch.
Quito's old town is a labyrinth of squares and churches scattered along slopes and hills
BASIN
Once you've caught your breath, head over to the other Andean urban queen: Basin. The nerve center of the southern Andes is one of the most beautiful cities in South America, with a historic center that rivals that of Quito in beauty, importance and ability to make room in the visual memory of every traveler who enters its alleys.
The center of Cuenca is a corner that time forgot, and entering it is the closest equivalent to entering the 16th century, the date of its construction.
The plaza and church of San Sebastián is the meeting point of life in Cuenca, and any afternoon it becomes a costumbrista painting with children in uniform, nuns out for an evening stroll and neighbors having a chat. Quito may have taken your breath away, but Cuenca will steal your heart.
Cathedral of the Immaculate (New Cathedral), Cuenca
GUAYAQUIL
At sea level, Guayaquil may lack the charm of Quito and Cuenca, but it has something that neither has: access to the coast.
The largest city in Ecuador is not going to win any urban prize, but it is it may take the odd fan with you thanks to the boardwalk, the quaint neighborhood of Las Peñas, and its “we're here to have a good time” attitude.
The vast majority of travelers only pass through Guayaquil for a night or two on their way to the beach or to catch a flight to the Galapagos, but really, what's the rush?
The colorful mosaic formed by the houses of Guayaquil
NATURE
If you haven't come to Ecuador to explore the cities (and honestly, that's the case for most travelers), you won't know where to start: When it comes to landscapes and nature, Ecuador has (almost) everything.
Do you want mountains? Done: the Andes Mountains, backbone of Ecuador, runs through the east of the country from north to south, supplying Quito and Cuenca, as well as numerous towns such as Baños, Otavalo and Mindo de dramatic landscapes, a privileged climate, and multiple opportunities for adventure sports.
The landscape surrounding Chimborazo, the volcano and the highest mountain in Ecuador
Do you want jungle? You also have it: the Amazon basin reaches the south of the country, embracing Baños (where the jungle meets the Andes) and opening up to the public in the Yasuní and Cotopaxi National Parks, two of the most diverse biospheres in the world that include illustrious residents such as jaguars, pumas, eagles and tapirs.
Do you want a unique ecosystem in the world, in which species live that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet?
welcome to the Galapagos. This Pacific archipelago, a World Heritage Site, is unrivaled in terms of travel and naturist experience.
Only in Galapagos you can get up close to prehistoric reptiles and rub elbows with albatrosses, cormorants and nightingales with a closeness unthinkable in any other part of the world.
Cotopaxi National Park
Ecuador not only gives you these compelling reasons to come and visit it; Plus, it makes it super easy for you to see them all. The small size of the country makes it very easy to cover a good part by bus in a short time, and the rest is accessible by a short flight. (with the exception of Galapagos... but the three hours by plane are well worth it).
Want one more reason, just in case? Ecuador has one of the most stable climates in the world. Being right on the equator line, the country does not have seasons as such.
This climatic monotony has been transported into daily life: in Ecuador there is no weather forecast in the news or in the newspaper, and the weather is not part of daily conversations.
In fact, were it not for the changes in temperature that are associated with differences in altitude (on the coast it is hotter than in the mountains) , we could say without hesitation that Ecuador lives in an eternal spring.
The Galapagos archipelago, bathed by the Pacific, is a World Heritage Site