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Scenery in the Andes

by Artifex-Ohio

If you have the chance to visit Banos, rent a bike and take the Banos-Puyo road downhill for a few miles. Some of the most incredible scenery you can imagine awaits (if the volcano hasn't destroyed a lot of it recently). One of the best sights I saw there was the waterfall Manto de la Novia. It's 100 meters tall and you can walk up on the rocks to within inches of where it splashes into the river - if you don't mind getting soaked to the skin. A gentleman operates a small tienda at the falls where you can get snacks and drinks while you dry off. Cotopaxi is also incredible, but if you haven't had the time to acclimatize properly, stick to a Refugio climb, as any attempt on the summit without proper acclimatization isn't wise. My best memory of Ecuador was spending time with the host family of a friend of mine in the Peace Corps. On the Santa Elena Peninsula in the Southwest portion of...

The Old and The New

by alza

Here we are at Plaza Grande, the main square in the Old City of Quito. I know I tend to go on about what I like so this time, I'll make a special effort to control myself because Quito is probably the most beautiful city I saw in South America.The Old City appeared in all its intriguing splendour the minute I got out of the taxi at Plaza Grande. Buildings are solid, often majestic, and make liberal use of wood. A certain warmness surrounds you in these antique constructions. And at the same time, a feeling of the religious severity that was the norm in Spanish colonies. Just when you start adjusting to this image of the New World as it is today, albeit in an atmosphere of colours and sounds unlike anything your senses have known before -- you see someone walking towards you that stands out in the crowd. A woman with remarkable indigenous features, wearing a felt hat over her black...

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Learn a little Spanish

by mickybleck

If You do not speak Spanish, try to learn a little before You go or take a course in Quito or Cuenca. As You are in the middle of spanish-speeking South America, English is only spoken by few people in the bigger cities. Getting into contact with lokals will be much easier if You can strike up the conversation in Spanish. Especially as a woman travelling alone, You will have the opportunity to talk to curious females in remote villages. Being able to speak Spanish resulted - among other nice experieces - in two invitations to stay with local people - a girl about 20 years old in Ambato that I met in Banos (therefore I like the town inspite of being a touristy place) and a 40-year-old teacher in Zaruma who took me to her mothers plantation.The countryside of Ecuador is splendid - but these contacts will stay in my heart forever.Picture: Not a place I stayed but the home of a park-guard...

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Llamas and alpacas

by DanielF

Since the night of the times, these cute animals have been for the Andean indigenous people what the sheep, the cow and horse have been to us. Probably one of the most useful to men animals in the world, as, apart from providing wool and meat and efficiently transporting woods, they even work as guardians. Beware their spits!

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Indigenous culture

by DanielF

Although Equator, like most of South America, is a mestizo country, indigenous culture is still very visible in many regions, in particular in the Andean provinces. The quechua language is still widely used and many people are dress regularly in their traditional costumes.The economy and the politics are still controlled by the criollos to a large extent, for sure, but Equatorian indigenous leaders have been pioneers in the recognition of the rights of their peoples in the continent.This picture shows a statue of the Inca leader Rumiñahui in Otavalo, one of the symbols of the indigenous pride in Equator.

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costa y selva

by taichi

The beach called canoa was quite incredible, a very special place. Also the legendary montanitas, for total locura! Once in Canoa beach after a heavy rain I turned over a rock on the beach and found that it was an ancient artifact face perfectly looking at me.

The Avenue of the Volcanoes

by DanielF

The Equatorian strech of the Panamerican highway, or simply the "Pana" as the people call it here, is lined with high volcanoes that reach well over the 4.000 meters and, in some cases, over the 6.000 metres. Although the immediate vicinity of the road is very developped with small towns, greenhouses and industries, the framework provided by the mountains is still a really impressive sight, even more when you venture in the backroads that lead to the haciendas. The sonority of the volcanoes' names do honour to their spectacularity: Imbabura, Cotocachi, Cayambe, Antisana, Pichincha, Sincholahua, Rumiñahui, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo (the highest of them all), los Ilinizas, Sangay...Some of them are still active, like the Cotopaxi, which is the highest active volcano in the world; but the only one we saw in actual eruption was the Tungurahua (pictured here). At least, if we believe...

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Churches and monuments

by CaptainAmerica

Churches and monuments are gorgeous in Ecuador. It sometimes witnesses forms of architecture that almost disappeared in Europe.Quito and Cunca, once again, are must see cities for churches and monuments but you may discover smallest but interesting ones in small villages during your trip.I built a travelogue on churches and monuments of Quito in my Quito's page.

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Colonial cities

by CaptainAmerica

The colonial architecture of Ecuador is well reknown. The most interesting cities in this respect are Quito (Unesco world heritage's city) and Cunca. Save at least two days to visit Quito. Cunca is smaller and the atmosphere is great as well.

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Markets

by CaptainAmerica

Markets of Ecuador should not be missed: they are beautiful, full of colours and interesting (sometimes surprising) goodies and crafts.The two most important are Saquisili (you can see my Saquisili's page) and Otavalo. But there are many others in the big or small cities and villages.

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Related Ecuador Favorites Tips

Top 3 Hotels in Ecuador

Four Points by Sheraton Quito  Quito

 6 Reviews and 82 Opinions  I knew this hotel as the Sheraton Quito, but I suppose that it was, at least at one time, a Four... 

 Hotels in Quito

Hotel Victoria  Cuenca

 1 Review and 46 Opinions  I arrived without a reservation at the end of a long and exhausting day (see my Alausi page). The... 

 Hotels in Cuenca

Samari Spa Resort  Baños

 33 Opinions

 Hotels in Baños

303 Hotels in Ecuador
 
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Reviews and photos of Ecuador attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Ecuador sightseeing.

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Favorites: Cities in Ecuador
  1. Quito Favorites
  2. Cuenca Favorites
  3. Guayaquil Favorites
  4. Montañita Favorites
  5. Baños Favorites
  6. Otavalo Favorites
  7. Manta Favorites
  8. Riobamba Favorites
  9. Latacunga Favorites
  10. Mindo Favorites
  11. Bahía de Caráquez Favorites
  12. Laguna Quilotoa Favorites
  13. Cayambe Favorites
  14. Puerto López Favorites
  15. Cuyabeno Favorites
  16. Canoa Favorites
  17. Isla de La Plata Favorites
  18. Puerto Misahuallí Favorites
  19. Ingapirca Favorites
  20. Hacienda La Ciénega Favorites
  21. Nanegal Favorites
  22. Pujilí Favorites
  23. Portoviejo Favorites

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Popular Regions in Ecuador

Provincia de Pichincha Favorites  Galápagos Islands Favorites  Provincia del Guayas Favorites  Provincia del Azuay Favorites  Provincia de Manabí Favorites  Provincia de Cotopaxi Favorites  Provincia de Imbabura Favorites  Provincia del Tungurahua Favorites  Provincia de Napo Favorites  Provincia del Chimborazo Favorites  Provincia de Esmeraldas Favorites  Provincia de Loja Favorites 

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Questions and Answers

enricosmith profile photo

Q:  Hello I leave in Ecuador next month and i'm looking a spanish school, located in the Pacific Coast. I know there is a school in... 

cindymary profile photo

A: Hello Enrico You're right, Montanita is such a touristic place. I understand you want to avoid it. Last year, I have spent one month in a spanish school in Sua, near... 

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