Next Stop: Ecuador!

Ecuador

Next Stop: Ecuador!

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Ecuador is a representative democratic republic located in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO during the 1970s for having the best preserved and least altered historic center in Latin America (Guayaquil, the country’s largest city). The historic center of Cuenca, the third largest city in the country, was also declared a World Heritage Site in 1999, for being an outstanding example of a planned inland Spanish style colonial city in the Americas. In spite of its size, Ecuador is also home to a great variety of species, many of them endemic, like those of the Galápagos Islands. This species diversity makes Ecuador one of the seventeen mega diverse countries in the world.

Ecuador offers a variety of tourist attractions and activities, from the Galapagos Islands, mountaineering, white water rafting, thermal hot baths, indigenous markets, volcanic lagoons, volcanoes and lakes, the white sandy beaches of the Pacific coast, shopping, historical Colonial Architecture, music and gastronomy, scenic panoramas, lush rainforests among others.

Undoubtedly, the top of the lost would be the Galapagos Islands – it is a natural paradise of evolution process made famous by no other than Charles Darwin himself. The visit to Ecuador is never complete without a cruise in Galapagos.

Other tourist destinations in Ecuador include:

1. Historic Colonial Quito – this region is a place of Colonial architectural wonder—from its churches, plazas, and palaces. Highlights of this place Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande), Plaza San Francisco, Igleia de la Compania, Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Iglesia de la Merced, San Agustin monastery, the Basilica, Panecillo among others.

2. Otavalo indigenous artisan market – located 90 minutes north of Quito, this is a perfect hub for barter and trade for ceramics, woods carvings, textiles, paintings, musical instruments, jewelry among others. This market is operational every day of the week, with Saturday and Wednesday being the busiest. Truly a shopper’s paradise.

3. Amazon jungle rain forest – this is a perfect place for ecotourists since it boasts of biodiversity. Most recommended places here include the Napo Wildlife Centre, Sacha lodge, La Selva & Kapawi lodge among others. Other highly recommended options are the Manatee River boat and Sani lodge.

4. Cotopaxi volcano national park – this locaed about 90 minutes due south of Quito. Tourists options include: (1) a naturalist day trip; or (2) a 2 or 3 day climbing package, (3) Mountain biking, (4) horseback riding and a visit to a hacienda. All of these are alternative options in this park. There are a number of interesting haciendas in the area.

5. Bellavista cloudforest – If you’re looking for humming birds, this place can be a perfect candidate. It boasts of 50% of the 320 species known in the scientific world. The best place to get up close and personal to these magnificent creatures would be at the Bellavista Cloudforest Reserve. Other highlights of this place include a myriad of orchids, and other tropical vegetation.

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Tags: • mountaineering • rain forest • national park • amazon jungle • water rafting • colonial city • humming birds • sandy beaches • world heritage • charles darwin • horseback riding • mountain biking • galapagos islands • musical instruments • tourist attractions • white water rafting • white sandy beaches • world heritage site • napo wildlife centre • tourist destinations • colonial architecture • orchids • vacation •

• Ecuador in 358 Words (vacation)
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