Ecuador Tourist Traps

  Largest, biggest, most important lake in...
by Assenczo
 
  • Largest, biggest, most important lake in Ecuador!
      Largest, biggest, most important lake in...
    by Assenczo
  • hm..looks like sh#@, smells like sh#$, must be....
      hm..looks like sh#@, smells like sh#$,...
    by richiecdisc
  • looks a LOT better than it tasted
      looks a LOT better than it tasted
    by richiecdisc
  • Tacky shops at Mitad del Mundo
      Tacky shops at Mitad del Mundo
    by b1bob
  • that bloody departure tax
      that bloody departure tax
    by b1bob
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

not many but beware of TAME overbookings

by richiecdisc

I’d have to say that Ecuador was all but without any tourist traps whatsoever. In six weeks I only felt taken advantage of one time. Vendors would rush after you to give you the correct change if you somehow “overpaid” and I am talking about ten cents here. No, by and large Ecuadorians are a very fair people. The one bad experience we had was with TAME airlines. I had read some nightmarish stories so I did everything possible to make sure it didn’t happen to us. We had booked a round trip flight to the Galapagos Islands and arrived there with no problems. We made sure to re-confirm our flight at the ticket office in person just as many internet posts had warned. The ticket person said all was well and we figured everything was fine. Once at the airport a few days later we were told that the flight we had booked didn’t run in the off season and that we could go the next day. All I can say...

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The Equator Park - Mitad del Mundo

by K-P

Yes, it's a kind of a tourist trap but when you're in Ecuador you should not miss it. Visit the nearby outdoor museum Solar Inti Ñan, where they show you different kind of equator experiments. Some are more and some are less scientific.

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City of the Middle of the World

by DanielF

Not far from Quito, the City of the Middle of the World stands exactly at latitude 0º 0´0´´. It is a tourist complex with an obelisk-like monument that hosts a museum on the different ethnical groups of Equator, and the reproduction of an Andean village full of souvenir shops and touristy restaurants. All tourists need their touristy stuff, so this is an uncontournable place in any Equatorian tour. You will come back happier home with a picture of you standing with one foot on each hemisphere.

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Bahia : Rio Muchacho : not such a trap, but...

by Maillekeul

This is a place for volontary work in an ecologic farm, also providing instruction for rural kids ... You can do a lot in this farm : if you stay a long time, you will work as a farmer, and you will pay a descent price for living and eating every day.But, if you decide to make only a 2 or 3 days tour... It's a bout 30 USD a day and even if you have a nice time, this is not worth the price you payA reflechir...Rio Muchacho, c'est une ferme ecologique qui dispose egalement d'une ecole pour les enfants des paysans du coin... Il y a pas mal de choses a faire si on veut retourner a la vie rurale, pour un prix modeste. Ce qui n'est pas le cas lorsqu'on ne fait qu'y passer et que l'on depense 30 USD par jour par personne... Don't do the 2 or 3 days tour.It's maybe because we are French and then the life in a farm is for us more accessible, but we don't know why we should pay to do a "work" or...

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Laguna of Quilotoa : Don't pay ! Ne payez pas !

by Maillekeul

Some kids will try and make you pay something at the entrance of the area of the Laguna, but there is no mandatory ticket to enjoy the view of the Laguna.Des enfants postes a l'entree du site vous demanderont d'acheter leurs billets pour contempler la Lagune : mais, il n'existe pas de droit d'entree officiel. Unless you want to make a good action for the poor kids, don't pay .Sauf si vous voulez donner un peu pour ces gamins, ne leur payez rien et continuez vers la lagune. Give them a big smile and some centavos... They are actually very poor.Un joli sourire et quelques centavos.Ces enfants de Zumbahua sont vraiment tres pauvres....

Avenida Amazonas in Quito

by lenoreva

This whole street is one big tourist trap. Sure, you can buy a lot of souveniers here, but they are all overpriced. The only exception to this is El Ejido Park located at the cross-street Patria. On weekends you can go here and get reasonable prices on handicrafts. You can also have a nice stroll here and check out all the artists with their paintings. You'll definitly get a better value by taking the time to travel to Otavalo. However if it is convenience over everything, and money is no object, then check out Folklore, at Colon 260. There is a great selection of items, all at the very best quality.

Mitad del Mundo

by lenoreva

Mitad del Mundo is a monument that sits on the equator. Everyone wants to come here so that they can stand in both hemispheres at once. Which is fine, I mean, I even came here 3 times. It costs 50 cents to get in and then $3 more if you want to take the elevator to the top of the 98 foot high monument and then walk down the stairs through a museum (that details regional indigenous peoples of Ecuador). The museum just isn't that interesting. Since it is north of Quito, I recommend stopping by in combination with a trip to Otavalo or other northernly destinations. Just don't make this the only stop on your iteniery - as besides the novelty of it, it doesn't have much else to offer.

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SECURITY ISSUESFind out where...

by pedrini

SECURITY ISSUESFind out where the unsafe sectors are and avoid them.Do not go out alone. The chances of getting lost are very high.Be cautious with people who are become very friendly too quickly, or that offer to show you around.Carry traveler checks and credit cards instead of large sums of cash. You can always get replacement checks or cancel your cardsDon't wear expensive jewelry or wristwatches when you are walking around. They make you a target of thieves.Carry shoulder-bag, purses and back packs in front of you to avoid having them snatched or opened.Keep all bags and other valuables where you can see them in restaurants and other public places.Keep all important documents in a secure place, such as an inner pocket.Make copies of your important documents, card numbers, etc., and leave them to a trusted companion or leave them at the hotels safety box.Always carry an identification...

Banos is a lovely little town...

by flyingpig

Banos is a lovely little town set at the foot of the picturesque Tungurahua volcano. So charming is the place that it is always full of tourists, with large contingents of Germans and Brits. You can hardly hear any Spanish spoken in the town center! Having said that, don't miss the opportunity to rent a mountain bike and go downhill to El Paellon del Diablo - just make sure you don't collide with a fellow tourist :)

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Mitad del Mundo. Just north...

by Rasta_Rob

Mitad del Mundo. Just north of Quito, Mitad del Mundo ('Middle of the Earth') is a monument to the Equator, which runs right through the middle of Ecuador and gives the country its name. If you go to Mitad del Mundo, try not to go on a weekend, or you'll be fighting the crowds to get your picture taken at the monument!

Tourist Attractions in Ecuador

Top 3 Hotels in Ecuador

Four Points by Sheraton Quito  Quito

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Hotel Victoria  Cuenca

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Samari Spa Resort  Baños

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302 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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Tourist Traps: Cities in Ecuador
  1. Quito Tourist Traps
  2. Cuenca Tourist Traps
  3. Guayaquil Tourist Traps
  4. Laguna Quilotoa Tourist Traps
  5. Bahía de Caráquez Tourist Traps
  6. Cuyabeno Tourist Traps

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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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