The ruins of Cojitambo is an archaeological zone of 25 hectares of Inca Cañaris origin. The area was inhabited during the Regional Development Period, the Integration Period and the Inca Period. The ruins were inhabited between 500 BCE and 1532 CE. The ruins are evidence of the Inca presence, as the construction has a solid …
Los Ilinizas was declared a protected zone on December 11, 1996 and covers an area of 149,900 hectares. The reserve covers sections in the provinces of Cotopaxi, Pichincha and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. The altitude of the reserve starts at 800 meters above sea level and reaches its highest peal 5,263 meters. Here you …
The province of Carchi is located in the north of Ecuador in the Sierra region, bordering Colombia to the north. Crossed by the Andes Mountains, the province of Carchi is privileged in its topography, since it is surrounded by mountains and is home to the Chiles volcano. Carchi offers endless natural, cultural, gastronomic and architectural …
Cuenca, The Athens of Ecuador, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador. It is a small city but rich in history, architecture, culture and gastronomy. In fact, the Historic Center of Cuenca was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999 for its Spanish colonial architecture. Cuenca has one of the …
The beach of Ballenita is part of the Spondylus Route and the Ruta Del Sol. The difference between the routes is that the Spondylus route includes 5 provinces of the Coast (El Oro, Guayas, Santa Elena, Manabí, Esmeraldas), the north of Peru and the upper part of Loja, while the Ruta Del Sol only includes …
Playa Delfín is one of the most interesting beaches in the province of Guayas. In it there is a concrete and metal monument in the shape of a dolphin. This monument was made by the community members themselves to promote local tourism. On the upper part of the beach there are also restaurants, bathrooms, and …
Welcome to Manta, the Puerta del Pacífico, or the Tuna Capital of the World. Manabí is the province with the best beaches in Ecuador, delicious gastronomy and abundant culture. Manta is an ideal destination to enjoy with friends, family or with a partner. It is a destination that you can come to rest and disconnect …
The Cayambe National Park is one of the most biodiverse areas in Ecuador and one of the best places in the world for bird watching. The reserve was created on November 17, 1970 and has a system of 80 glacial lagoons, fed by the melting glacier on the Cayambe volcano. Cayambe also the highest mountain …
Loreto is a canton in the Orellana province in the Amazon region of Ecuador. Due to its diversity of landscapes and ecosystems, it is one of the best places in the country to see wildlife and enjoy adventure sports. From Loreto you can see the great Sumaco volcano and the Galeras mountain range, as it …
The Galapagos Islands is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. It is no surprise tourists flock to this remote archipelago that informed Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. A common question is how expensive is it to travel to Galapagos and how to find the best hotel deals in Galapagos. The most popular …
There is so many things to do in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito and it is also a great hub to explore the country. Surrounding Quito are many attractions and villages, perfect for a day adventure. Hop in your car and enjoy the area! In this guide you will find the best day trips from Quito. …
We began our luxury Galapagos cruise arriving to the Baltra airport from the mainland Ecuador, where the Metropolitan Touring guide was waiting for us. We took a bus to the pier where a zodiac boat took us out to the cruise ship, the Santa Cruz II. This ride lasted about 20 minutes until we made …
The Arenillas Ecological Reserve is located in the southwestern coastal region of Ecuador in the province of El Oro. The closest major city is Huaquillas, a border city with Peru. The reserve is home to both tropical dry forest and mangrove forests. The reserve has more than 17,000 hectares, making it one of the most important …
Puerto Jeli is one of the most important gastronomic destinations in the province of El Oro, Ecuador along with Puerto Hualtaco (Huaquillas) and Puerto Bolívar (Machala). For seafood lovers, this is a destination that you cannot miss. Most of its inhabitants are dedicated to fishing and the culinary arts of the typical food of the …
San Juan de los Dos Ríos de Tena, also known as the Capital of Cinnamon and Yasunusa or simply Tena, is the capital of the Napo province in Ecuador. Located at the convergence of the Tena and Napo rivers, southeast of Quito. Tena is known for its wonderful landscapes, for being one of the best …
El Chorro de Girón is made up of three waterfalls that are located within the canton of Girón in the province of Azuay, Ecuador. From the entrance, there is a path that takes you to the base of the waterfalls, to the viewpoint and to the other waterfalls. El Chorro de Girón is located in …
The city of Macas, also known as Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Macas or as the Oriental Emerald, is the capital of and largest city in the Morona Santiago Province in Ecuador. Macas is an adventure sports and tourist city located in the Upano Valley with views of the Upano River, which lends itself to …
Podocarpus National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Ecuador due to its topography and location in the Eastern Ranges of the Andes Mountains in southern Ecuador. The park includes ecosystems within the Sierra and the Ecuadorian Amazon. Its altitude ranges from 900 to 3,600 meters above sea level. Podocarpus was declared …
Where is Bajo Alto beach located? Bajo Alto beach is located in the northwest of the El Oro province in the Guabo canton. The province of El Oro is located in southern Ecuador in the Costa region. The closest major city to Bajo Alto beach is the city of Machala approximately 30 kilometers away. How …
Any visitor to Quito who wants to stay in one of the best hotels in Quito, look no further than the historic Casa Gangotena, located in the heart of the old town. The hotel overlooks the Plaza de San Francisco. Casa Gangotena is a Spanish colonial mansion that dates back to the 1600s. The wealthy …
The Mashpi Lodge is a boutique hotel in the dense cloud forest near Quito. It was recently included on National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, located in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andean Chocó region, just 2 hours and a half from the city of Quito. This eco-resort in the heart of a 2,500-acre …
There are eight species of bears in the world: the polar bear, the brown bear, the black bear, the panda bear, the Malayan bear, the Asiatic black bear and the Andean bear or spectacled bear. The role of the Spectacled Bear in its ecosystem is very important, since they help to disperse seeds over a …
La Entrada is a picturesque city located in the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador on the border with the province of Manabí, between Las Núnez beach and La Rinconada. In fact, its name comes from the fact that it is the entrance to the province of Santa Elena after crossing the Cordillera Chongón Colonche if …
Salinas is the busiest beachfront cites and one of the main cities in the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador located on the western tip of the peninsula of the same name. Although Salinas is not the closest beach to Guayaquil, many of its visitors come from this city. Here you can find several beautiful hotels, …
Yasuní National Park is one of the most biodiverse places in the world and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covering more than 9,823 square kilometers of Amazon rainforest. Yasuní is located between the Napo and Curaray rivers within the Napo forest eco-region. Yasuní National Park features 150 amphibian species, 121 reptile species, 382 fish species, 596 …
One of the most magical and beautiful places in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest is Puerto Misahuallí, which is located just 40 minutes by car east of Tena, Napo. Puerto Misahuallí is known for its wild monkeys, which roam freely through the central park and along the banks of the Rio Napo beach, making mischief with …
The Vilcabamba canton (The name in Quichua means Sacred Valley), is one of the most beautiful towns in Ecuador thanks to its topography, surrounding mountains, and the kindness of its inhabitants. It is located in the southern Andean region in the province of Loja, just 45 km from its capital, the city of Loja. The …
Zamora is the capital of the province of Zamora Chinchipe located in the extreme southeast of the country in the Amazon region. Zamora is known for being one of the two doors to the Podocarpus National Park, for the great probability of bird watching and for its natural beauty such as its waterfalls. The climate …
The Cotopaxi National Park is home to the volcano that bears the same name, one of the most active and recognized volcanoes on the Avenida de los Volcanes and all of Ecuador. In fact, the Cotopaxi Volcano was the first park in Ecuador’s continental territory to be declared a national park. The Cotopaxi volcano is …
Loja, also known as the Castilian City, is the capital of the province that bears the same name located in southern Ecuador in the Andes mountain range. This beautiful city is known for its cultural heritage, its natural and architectural beauty inherited from the Spanish colonial era. Top 10 tourist places to visit in Loja: …
I had the opportunity to visit the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, one of the most magical places in Ecuador. Together with Yasuní National Park, these parks are the most biodiverse reserves in the country. The Cuyabeno Reserve is located in the northern Amazon region of the country in the Sucumbios province. Some the animals that you …
Pan de Azúcar is one of the most beautiful towns in Ecuador. This little town might be small in size but it is known for the vibrant colors of its main church and on the houses that surround the central park. The Cerro Pan de Azúcar is also one of the most beautiful components of …
The Chimborazo Volcano at 20,548 ft in elevation is the closest peak to the sun and the furthest point from the center of the earth and it is the highest volcano in Ecuador. The volcano has a diameter of 20 km. Without a doubt visiting the Chimborazo is one of the best things you can …
Baños de Agua Santa is located in the center of Ecuador in the province of Tungurahua in the Ecuadorian highlands. Baños is known as the “Door to the Amazon“, as it is the last city before entering the Ecuadorian Amazon or as “the capital of adventure sports in South America” for the amount of extreme …
We had the opportunity to stay at Macas Glamping for two nights and the truth is that it was an unforgettable experience. This boutique hotel is located just 15 minutes from Macas, Morona Santiago in the Amazon rainforest region of Ecuador. It is not located in the heart of the jungle but the environment that …
Ecuador is one of the most diverse countries in the world and in only 10 days in Ecuador you can visit volcanoes, beautiful beaches and the rainforest. We recommend starting your week in Ecuador either in Quito or Guayaquil as there are the main international airports in the country. Quito is a UNESCO historic city …
In this travel guide you will find everything you need to plan your trip for whale watching in Ecuador. Every year along the coast of Ecuador humpback whales migrating more 4,000 miles from its feeding grounds in Antarctica to mate or give birth in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean The cool thing about …
The Salto del Armadillo waterfall is a little more than 10 meters high and 30 to 40 meters wide. It is a waterfall is the perfect spot to visit for tourists from Manabí, Guayas and Los Ríos. Within the reserve you can see many animals including rabbit, agouti, armadillo, oncilla, partridge, hawks, and several varieties …
After several years of wanting to visit Ingapirca, we finally drove to this pre-Columbian archaeological complex located 50 miles north of Cuenca, Ecuador in the province of Cañar. It takes about 25 minutes from the city of Cañar or an hour and a half from Cuenca and three and a half hours from Guayaquil. Ingapirka …
Guayacanes Blossom 2023: TBA For more information about the blossom dates please check it here! Colimes is a small town located 90km, or an hour and a half drive north of Guayaquil, Ecuador. Once a year the Guayacanes blossom, creating a beautiful sea of yellow flowers. The blossom takes place between the months of December and …
Many people have the idea that Galapagos is an expensive destination due to the high prices on cruises but in reality you could visit the Galapagos on a budget if you follow the following itinerary. You do not need to hire a tour to visit the Galapagos Islands as the islands are serviced by ferries …
We are sharing a layover guide to Jazmin’s hometown of Guayaquil, Ecuador. Many members of our community have been asking for this complete layover guide to Guayaquil because its international airport is a frequent stop en route to the Galapagos Islands. If you are thinking about taking a Guayaquil long layover tour, this might come …
Who has not dreamed about visiting a fairy tale forest? Those magical places that seem to be taken from some wallpaper are always thought to be from another part of the world far from where we are. But for Ecuadorians, the luck and joy of admiring these landscapes is right in the backyard, with an …
Yasuni National Park is one of the most biologically diverse spots on Earth. This massive rainforest is located in northern Ecuador as part of the Amazon River Basin. We spent a whole week exploring one of the greenest places on earth! While Yasuni is less than 1% of the Amazon Basin, it is home to almost one-third …
Bucay, Ecuador is a small town located a 90 minute drive east of the main city of Guayaquil. Get out of the city for the day to enjoy a trip through the beautiful greenery that Ecuador has to offer. ➳ Find all: Hotels in Guayaquil What to do in Bucay in one day: Swim in the …
Tulcan is a small city in the north of Ecuador, along the border the Colombia. This small border town is popular among over land travelers between Ecuador and Colombia as a great stop in this cute town. Just a four hour drive from the country’s capital of Quito, Tulcan is the perfect weekend getaway for …
Most people might not know this, but Ecuador is home to a small section of the Amazon Rainforest. The best way to explore this natural beauty is in Yasuni National Park in the northeast of the country. Coca is a small city known as being the gateway to the rainforest. Pretty much every tour that …
The Pashpanchu wilderness experience is a new project of the Kichwa Pompeya community in the heart of the Yusani National Park in Ecuador. Head into the depths of Amazon rainforest for a firsthand experience with the beautiful nature and wildlife. Exploring the rainforest, it is hard to expect what type of accommodations might be available. Well, …
The community of Martinica was legally formed in 1997 with a 150 members. The community joined together to start protecting and conserving their land by registering it for personal use and an area specificity for tourism. The Yaku Warmi cabañas are built at the heart of the conservation land for tourists to enjoy all the jungle …
We stayed at the Mandaripanga Yasuni Jungle Expedition in the heart of the Yasuni National Park. They offer a beautiful glamping spot in the middle of the jungle. This new project is located in the river bank of the Tiputini River, a tributary of the Amazon River. There are not other operators or tours in the area, so in …
In this guide we will list the best things to do and see in El Coca, Ecuador. The small city of Coca, officially known as Puerto Francisco de Orellana, is located at the confluence of the Napo, Coca and Payamino rivers in northeastern Ecuador. Just a 5 hour drive or short plane ride from Quito, Coca has become …
As an Ecuadorian, Jazmin grew up going to the beaches of Santa Elena, Ecuador. Santa Elena is a coastal province just north of Guayaquil, Jaz’s hometown. Its main attractions are of its beaches, of course! It has so many different beaches to enjoy including Salinas, Punta Carnero, Playa Rosada, Olón and the famous Montañita. We were …
In this guide we will share the perfect itinerary to enjoy a full day in Puyo. We drove to Puyo, Ecuador, the start of the Amazon Rainforest, seven hours from Guayaquil. You can also get to Puyo from Baños, which is only an hour away. Our visit to Puyo was just for the weekend, staying two …
Jazmin’s passion is to scuba dive everywhere we travel. We started scuba diving in 2015, when we moved to Ecuador. We took our Padi certification with Tortuga Divers. We have dive in many places in Ecuador including the Galapagos, Cayman Islands, Thailand and Greece. Some of the places mentioned in this list, we have not had the …
In this guide we will share you a list of the best 13 places to visit in Ecuador. After living in Ecuador my entire life and visiting 20 out of 24 provinces, I have selected my favorite cities in the country. Ecuador is a gorgeous country with a lot to offer its visitors. Everywhere you …
When traveling in Ecuador, the most surprising thing is the diversity the small country. Just head to the southern coast and you will even get the chance to see dolphins! The El Morro Port is located near Playas (officially known as General Villamil Playas) or a one hour and a half drive from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Here …
The Ecuadorian Coast has two routes that follows the coastline, so while you drive you can enjoy the beach views the whole time. The two routes join, since the Spondylus Route covers almost all the provinces in Ecuador that are considered part of the coast region, from El Oro to Esmeraldas. The route continues to …