Ecuador is located in South America and has the claim to fame of having the highest capital city in the world in Quito. As a result, make sure you leave some time to acclimatize to the atmosphere here if you visit and get ready to enjoy all that this vibrant country has to offer. Ecuador straddles the equator and sits in between Colombia and Peru and across the country you will find a huge rage of gorgeous beaches, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and picturesque islands.
Banos is known all over Ecuador as the place to come if you are looking for adventure. The area is centered on a mountain pueblo and you can hike and climb the nearby Tungurahua Volcano from here. Other adventure activities popular in the region involve canyoning, rafting, paragliding, and mountain biking.
Travel time:
8 hours by road ($27)
3 hours 35 minutes by plane ($69)
Clothing: Clothes and shoes suitable for walking and extreme sports are a must
Distance from Quito: 79 km
Cotopaxi is the second highest volcano in Ecuador and stands at an elevation of 5,897 meters. The volcano is still active, but you can climb it when it is dormant and if you don’t want to go all the way to the top then you can always go mountain biking around the base instead.
Travel time:
2 hours by road ($40)
Clothing: Hiking shoes are a must
Distance from Quito: 89 km
Laguna Quilotoa is part of the Quilotoa Loop trek which takes 3 or 4 days to complete. The loop to the Laguna has peaks of up to 4,000 meters and this crater lake lies in a dormant volcano. The views here are stunning and you can also look across to neighboring volcanoes when the weather is clear.
Travel time:
2 hours 40 minutes by road ($53)
Clothing: Hiking shoes are a must
Distance from city center: 11 km
La Virgen del Panecillo is located next to the Old City district of Quito and sits on a hill. The statue is in the shape of winged Virgin Mary and this is one of the most iconic sights in the city as the statue can be seen from almost all parts of Quito.
Best mode of transport: Taxi
Duration of travel: 39 minutes
Bring a camera to take photographs
Distance from city center: 25.9 km
Mitad del Mundo sits just outside of Quito and is known as the place where the earth was measured and was declared round rather than flat. As a result, there is now a permanent memorial here that is called Mitad del Mundo and means The Middle of the World.
Best mode of transport: Taxi
Duration of travel: 52 minutes
Bring a camera to take photographs
Distance from city center: 8.7 km
The teleferiqo or teleferico is the second highest cable car in the world and sits at the side of the Pichincha Volcano. You can travel 4,000 meters in the air when you take a trip on the cable car and look out over the city of Quito as well as several neighboring volcanoes.
Best mode of transport: Taxi
Duration of travel: 28 minutes
You can either take a taxi back down from the cable car or take a collective bus
Atacames has the claim to fame of being one of the most popular beaches in all of Ecuador. The beach is lined with bars and ice cream stands and there are gorgeous rock formations here. This beach attracts a mixed crowd and is popular with everyone from young people to families.
If you love surfing then this is one place not to miss in Ecuador. Surfers flock to the area thanks to the pounding waves here and the beach sits next to a small town where you can enjoy some of the local flavor of Ecuador.
Puerto López is known for being a beachfront town that has relaxed cabins that you can spend the day in as you admire the ocean. The island of La Plata is also close by if you want to take a tour and you can even see humpback whales there during mating season. There is also another beach located nearby named Los Frailes which sits in the Machalilla National Park and is known for its pristine sands and azure waters.
Guitarras Guacan, Chimborazo y Bahia, Quito, tel +593 2-2583-475. This is a well known guitar shop in Quito that is run by Master Luthier Cesar Guacan, something of a local celebrity. The shop sits at the base of the state of the Virgin del Panecillo and has a range of instruments for both beginners and professionals.
Tienda del Alabado, Calle Cuenca N1-41 tel +593 (2) 228-0772. This shop is actually part of the Casa del Alabado Pre-Columbian Art Museum and is the perfect place to stock up on Ecuadorian handicrafts. The shop sells the work of Ecuadorian artisans that are made using ancient techniques and make perfect souvenirs.
Zapytal, Foch E4-298 v Av Amazonas, tel 528 757. Zapytal is known for its traditional shoes that are hand made to order. They take 8 days to make so you will need to order them in advance, or you can buy readymade shoes as well as riding boots.
Cebiches de la Rumiñahui, Real Audiencia N59-121 La Mariscal. If you want to try the local specialty of ceviche then you need to come here, as this is their specialty. This is also a chain and you can find outlets in the food court areas of Quicentro Shopping Mall, San Marino Shopping Mall and El Recreo Mall.
Ceviche:
One of the most common dishes in Ecuador is ceviche which is a seafood cocktail that is served cold. It is made of chopped fish as well as cilantro and chopped onions and pickled with citrus juice.
Encebollado:
This is a thick soup that is made with fish and yucca and is served all along the coast. The soup is tomato based and has pieces of yucca in it as well as vegetables and plantains.
Empanadas:
These are served all over Ecuador as a snack food and consist of a pastry that is filled with a range of fillings. Common choices in Ecuador include cheese or chicken.
Restaurant Techo del Mundo Av. González Suárez N27 142, tel (593)2 254 4600. If you want some fine dining in Quito then head for this restaurant. The eatery is located in the Hotel Quito, a five star hotel famous in the city, and you can get upscale Ecuadorian dishes here.
Cherusker, Joaquin Pinto y Diego de Almagro, tel (593)02-6008895. A relative newcomer, Cherusker is a German style pub that has a delicious selection of beers. You can also try German food here like schnitzel and sausages and there is a beer garden as well as themed live music nights throughout the week.
Grima, Luis Cordero E12-141 y Av. Toledo, tel (02) 223-0846. Grima is known for its cheap drinks and a resident DJ who plays rock and electronic music. The ground floor of Grima also features a gallery of local artwork. It is closed every Monday.
Turtle's Head, La Niña 626 y Amazonas, tel 593-2-256-5544. This is an English bar that is in the style of a traditional pub and there is live music here that goes on into the night. As well as live music options you will also find pool tables, darts, and foosball.
List of nationalities who have permission for Visa free entries:
All countries are visa free EXCEPT the ones stated below which need to apply for a visa before entering Ecuador.
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan and Somalia.
List of nationalities who can have Visa on arrival:
N/A
Any nationalities who are not eligible to travel to that country or can travel under certain conditions:
There is a rising crime rate compared to many other countries in the world in Ecuador and you should stay vigilant at all times.
Armed robbery and theft is common in major cities.
Homosexuality is legal in Ecuador although it can be viewed negatively in society.
There are no specific vaccinations recommended for Ecuador.
Zika virus cases have been reported in Ecuador.
Ecuador became a country following the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830, which split into Colombia and Venezuela at the same time. Over the years, this split of land has caused tension with Ecuador’s neighbors, particularly Peru, when a dispute as to the official border broke out in 1995 before being resolved peacefully in 1999. The official language of Ecuador, like its neighbors, is Spanish, although there are indigenous groups that also speak local dialects known as the Ameri languages.
