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Ecuador is located on the northwestern edge of South America, between Colombia and Peru. And as the name implies, it’s right on the equator.
Ecuador is rich in tradition and has a diverse landscape, from its rolling alpine hills to dense Amazonian jungles, azure coastlines, and the Galápagos Islands. Nearly 400 species of mammals and over 1,600 bird species reside here. All of this fits into an area of 109,483 square miles (283,560 sq km), which is roughly the size of Colorado.
From snow-capped volcanoes and cloud forests in the high Andes to the coasts and the Galapagos, Ecuador is full of things to see and do. Postcard-pretty colonial centers, waves splashing white-sand beaches, Kichwa villages, Amazonian rainforest and the breathtaking Andes – a dazzling array of wonders is squeezed into this compact country.
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Metropolitan cities and quaint towns are scattered throughout the highland valleys and along the coast.
Each major city has its own culture, history, and speciality commerce. The bustling capital city of Quito is at the heart of Ecuadorian history and tradition. Guayaquil is known for its nightlife, and Cuenca has a lovely array of colonial churches. No matter what parts of Ecuador you choose to visit, the breathtaking landscape and friendly people ensure that you’ll have rewarding travels.
Ecuador’s mainland divides into three distinct regions — the Andes, the Amazon Basin, and the coast. West of the coast you’ll come to the volcanic archipelago of the Galápagos. You’ll find that the climate varies widely from one region to the next.
Ecuadorian people come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Indigenous groups first settled the region some 15,000 years ago. In the 16th century, Spaniards arrived, mostly as conquistadors. Like many other South American countries, Ecuador’s population has a mix of Amerindian and Spanish heritage.
After days of Ecuadorian adventures, there are many appealing places where you can go to relax amid awe-inspiring scenery. Head to the highlands to recharge at a historic hacienda, or find Zen-like beauty at a cloud-forest lodge near Mindo. There are peaceful, timeless mountain villages like Vilcabamba and picturesque former gold-mining towns such as Zaruma that offer a perfect antidote to the vertiginous rush of modern-day life. And for a coastal getaway, you'll have plenty of options, from tiny end-of-the-road settlements like Ayampe and Olón to charming towns on the Galápagos, with great beaches and magnificent sunsets.
City Full of Surprises
Quito, also known as “Carita de Dios”, declared by UNESCO as the first Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 1978, has an infinity of places to discover and activities to be done that will surprise you.
Quito, set an elevation of 9,350 ft (2,850 m), is the second tallest capital in the world, located on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, has the largest and best preserved historic center in Latin America, a true heritage treasure that houses churches, museums and cultural centers that will allow you to discover, through a wonderful trip, the history of Ecuador and its richness in terms of cultural and natural diversity.
Surrounded by spectacular mountains and volcanoes, Quito presents wonderful landscapes no matter where you look at it. Walk through its old streets, surrounded by flowery balconies with its bohemian air, the Church of the Company with its internal treasures, El Panecillo with its spectacular view, the Foch area with its varied offer of nightlife and gastronomy; or, the City of the Middle of the World located a few minutes from the center, are just some of the places that await your visit.
Magical & Awe – Inspiring Diversity
The Galápagos Islands may just inspire you to think differently about the world. The creatures that call the islands home, many found nowhere else in the world.
The Galapagos Islands are a chain of volcanic islands that sit in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles off the coast of Ecuador.
The islands’ unique ecosystem and endemic animal species draw wildlife lovers from across the globe. These are some of the same things that intrigued Charles Darwin, the noted naturalist, who developed his theory of evolution, in part, by studying the unique fauna of the islands when he visited in 1835.
The Galapagos Islands are uniquely located on both sides of the equator in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Though, the Galapagos Islands chain are made up of thirteen Major Islands, only five of the islands have human populations: Isabela, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Baltra, and Floreana.
The islands’ moonlike landscapes, interspersed with rugged vegetation, certainly create an ethereal atmosphere, yet they are haven to a flourishing population of marine iguanas, sea lions, giant tortoises and an exceptional array of birds such as the blue-footed boobie, frigate bird and flightless cormorant.
