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Be Architecturally Astounded; Quito, Ecuador

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Quito

Arriving in Quito feels a little like getting out of the plane half way down and, in a way, with an elevation so high, you have.

The upside is that Quito is set amidst the peaks of the Andes and yet this isn’t the only impressive sight in city.

Quito Sights 

The UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Quito’s Old Town is an Ecuadorian feast of century old churches and is packed with plazas. Give yourself a few days to explore the sights if for no other reason than to tackle the Andean-steep hills that separate them.

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Exploring the Old City; Quito, Ecuador

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Quito, Ecuador

Quito is a stunning capital, and one of South America’s finest cities. It was also the first city to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its colonial architecture and cobblestone streets.

Quito consists of two distinctly different personalities. The first is El Norte (New City), a sleek suburb known for trendy restaurants, high-class hotels, businesses and embassies. You’ll find more banks, travel services and English speaking locals here.

The second – and more impressive – is Centro Historico (Old City). It’s a wonderfully charming district with winding alleyways, churches, fountains and 16th century architecture. it also provides stunning views of the Andes mountains.

Whichever district you’re in, there is plenty to see and do. The following are just a sample of what Quito has to offer.

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Surf in Montañita, Ecuador

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Surf in Montañita, Ecuador

We all know the town… part beach, part surfer, part hippie, part backpacker, part English, part Spanish, and a whole lot of fun.

Montañita is a surfer hangout along the Pacific Coast that attracts people from around the world for the laid-back atmosphere, incredible waves, cheap accommodations, and beer clinking chatter all night long.

At first glance Montañita is just another cliche surf town, but if you delve beneath the surface you might find it’s a community full of intelligent individuals who’ve ditched their computer jobs in search of the ultimate endless summer. Continue

Trek To Inca Ruins; Ingapirca, Ecuador

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Inca Ruins; Ingapirca, Ecuador

Affectionately known as “The Machu Picchu of Ecuador,” Ingapirca is the largest and most important pre-Columbian architectural ruin in Ecuador. And while it may not be as impressive as its Peruvian neighbor, Ingapirca – which means “the wall of the Inca” – is certainly worth visiting.

The Incas occupied this section of Ecuador around 1470, after defeating the Cañari people. Shortly after, the Incas sent all Cañari men to live in Cusco while Inca men moved in with their women.

Due to this co-mingling, Ingapirca became a mixture of both Inca and Cañari architecture. A prime example of this can be seen in Ingapirca’s oval shaped structures; the site is in fact the only Inca ruin with an oval shaped palace in the world.

Ingapirca’s most impressive structure is the sun temple El Adoratorio, which aligns perfectly with the summer solstice. Many Cañari artifacts – including several bodies – have been discovered on the Pilaloma hill, located on the southern end of the site.

There is a small on-site museum which explains the history of Ingapirca. Guides are there to answer any questions you may have. Continue

The Deadly Secret of the Amazon Rain Forest

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Amazon Rain Forest Basin; Ecuador

The Amazon’s size is well known. The largest river (by discharge) in the world, it continuously pumps out roughly one-fifth of the world’s river flow. It’s so big the second largest river in the world – the Rio Negro – is a tributary of the Amazon itself.

Sure, the river is large… but what really stands out is the Amazon Basin’s wildlife. In fact, the Amazon Basin houses over one-third of the world’s species, including one-fifth of all bird species and over 2.5 million different insect species. In a single square kilometer, you can expect to find over 75,000 species of tree and over 150,000 species of plants.

In short: it’s the most bio-diverse place on Earth.

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Six Must-See Villages of the Amazon Ecuador

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Amazonian Backwaters; El Oriente, Ecuador

El Oriente – Ecuador’s small part taste of the Amazon Basin – is one of the country’s best travel destinations. Along this remote stretch of land, several frontier towns provide jumping off points for delving deeper into the jungle, where you can fish for piranha, trek through thick jungle canopy, canoe down eerily quiet tributaries and be lulled to sleep by millions of insects and frogs.

It’s awesome.

But choosing the right town can be troublesome. Imagine stumbling into a village, only to find out the local guides couldn’t care less about your travel plans. Sadly, this happens frequently, especially in Lago Agrio and Coca.

Therefore, after reading this guide, make sure to book your guide while in Quito instead of locally. The guides are more professional and generally cost about the same as those in town.

The following guide lists – from north to south – the major villages in Ecuador’s El Oriente, what there is to do, and which is right for you.Continue

Budget Backpacking in Guayaquil, Ecuador

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Guayaquil, Ecuador

South America is a budget backpacker’s paradise. Daily travel can often be accomplished on about the cost of a nice dinner in the U.S.  There are, however, cities that can break the bank.

Although Ecuador may seem mostly immune to this, Guayaquil can be rather pricey. For those with a keen eye for thrift, a few days in Guayaquil can still be an affordable way to get a cultural injection away from the smaller tourist towns in the country.

Guayaquil Ecuador on a Backpacker’s Budget

Guayaquil, once only a city tourists flew in and out of, has now become a destination in its own rite. Over the last decade, the city has undergone a major revitalization effort.

The centerpiece of this effort is the Malecon 2000, a 1.5 mile stretch of riverfront that has been developed to include fountains, parks, food courts, concert venues, and boat docks.

Much of what the city has to offer is within walking distance of the Malecon, which makes it an excellent starting point for most city adventures.

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Volcanoes & Hot Springs; Baños, Ecuador

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Baños, Ecuador

Few places in the world combine relaxation and adventure like Baños de Agua Santa.  “Baños “ as it’s known locally, is located between the Amazon’s edges and  Volcán Tungurahua, the largest volcano in Ecuador.

It gets its name – which means “Baths” in Spanish – from numerous hydrothermal springs in the nearby area.  You can enjoy a soak here then head out to climb Tungurahua (no experience needed). Continue

World Scariest Railway; Riobamba, Ecuador

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World Scariest Railway; Riobamba, Ecuador

Warning!

This trip is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights.

The Devil’s Nose is famed as the “most difficult railway in the world” for it’s sheer cliffs, winding terrain, and the possibility of toppling to your death at any moment.

It’s completely frightening.  If you love adventure and feeling your stomach turn inside out, then you must ride the three hour journey through Ecuador’s mountainous terrain. Continue

Leg the Lava Tubes; Galápagos, Ecuador

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Lava Tubes; Galápagos, Ecuador

Exploring the naturally hollowed lava tubes in the Galápagos is an adventure not to miss.

There are at least three naturally formed tubes that you can walk through and are all located on private land.  No guides are required to explore the tunnels making it an adventurous and inexpensive way to spend the day.  However, if you feel more comfortable with a guide, you can book a tour in Puerto Ayora.Continue