Ecuador is a small but diverse country the size of Colorado or Great Britain. Tourism is an importabnt part of Ecuador's economy, and the people are very friendly and service-oriented. Over half of Ecuador's visitors are from the U.S. Ecuador's currency is the U.S. dollar, and the country offers very good value to the American visitor.
Ecuador is home to four World Heritage Sites: Quito, Cuenca, Sangay National Park and the Galapagos Islands. As for biodiversity, Ecuador has 25,000 plant species. (There are only 17,000 plant species in all of North America.) Ecuador has 2,000 orchid varietals and 1,600 bird species, the highest concentration of birds per square mile.
Ecuador is comprised of four regions geographically: the Andes, Pacific Coast, Amazonia and Galapagos.
The Andes
The Ecuadorian Andes include the Avenue of the Volcanoes. While located in the Tropics, there are mountains here towering 20,000' with snow year around. (Continue north along this range and it becomes the Rockies in North America.)
Quito, Ecuador's capital, is nestled high in the Andes at 10,000'. For adventure travelers, there's much to do in the area, including rafting, hiking in the highlands, canoeing and horseback riding. Daytrips from Quito can include thermal springs and spas at Papallacta; the artisan market at Otavalo; Cotopaxi, the world's highest volcano; and a visit to the middle of the world!
Pacific Coast
The Pacific Coast is home to great beaches and humpback whales. These mammals follow the Humboldt Current (migrating here from May to November). Guayaquil, which has become a hip and dynamic city, is on the coast. The northeast area of Esmeralda is home to an Afro-Ecuadorian community with its own unique culture.
The Amazon
Amazonia covers five countries within South America. In Ecuador, a 28-minute flight from Quito brings you to this rich jungle region. Here visitors can enjoy bird watching, wildlife, the rain forest, and indigenous communities. Tourism is helping preserve the nature and culture of the Amazon from farming and development.
The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos, undoubtedly the most famous region of Ecuador, is the cradle of evolution, and is a 90-minute flight from Quito. a visit here is undoubtedly one of the planet's most memorable vacations, where wildlife has no fear of man. Read more about the Galapagos.
Travel
Investments continue to be made in improving the infrastucture. A new airport is being built in Quito, just 25 minutes from the city, and scheduled for completion by 2010. An old railway line connecting Quito and Cuenca and Quito and Guayaquil is being restored as part of a multi-year project. The first segment reopens in summer, 2008, and will connect Quito with Latacunga along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a distance of 110km.
Our South America travel experts are eager to arrange your adventure to Ecuador, the Galapagos or neighboring countries. Note: yellow fever vaccinations are required (check current requirements).
