Ecuador - Rich in History, Culture and Natural Beauty
About Ecuador
Ecuador is situated along the north west coast of South America, and it borders the countries of Peru and Columbia. Ecuador’s capital is Quito which is less than 15 miles from the equator. The Galapagos Islands are considered a province of Ecuador. The islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 600 miles off the Ecuadorian coast. Ecuador is divided into 24 provinces. Its three largest cities are Guayaquil, Quito, and Cuenca. The national currency is the US dollar. With the Andes Mountains and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is one of the top tourist destinations in South America. Tourists from the United States and most parts of Europe and Asia can visit without needing a visa for up to 90 days.
Getting Here
Ecuador’s main international airports are located in the cities of Quito (Mariscal Sucre Airport-UIO), Guayaquil (Simón Bolívar Airport- GYE) , and Manta (Eloy Alfaro Airport-MEC). In the Galapagos, the main airport is located on the island of Baltra. Ecuador has regional airports in Cuenca, Ibarra and other destinations. LAN Airlines is the primary international air carrier, with domestic flight service available from three local airlines including TAME. Ecuador is served by approximately 20 international air carriers including Delta, American, Continental, United, British Airways, Air France, KLM and Lufthansa. Direct flights are available between Miami and Quito with a total flight time of about 4 hours and 15 minutes, with a travel time of approximately 17 hours from London to Quito. Getting to Ecuador by cruise ship is another travel option. Princess, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines all offer itineraries with stops at Manta and the Galapagos.
Accommodations
Ecuador has a wide choice of accommodations for travelers at almost any budget. Some of the accommodations include luxury hotels, bed and breakfasts, inns, spas, resort hotels and eco-lodges. Quito offers internationally recognized hotels such as Hilton, Sheraton and Marriott. Throughout Ecuador there are local and family owned hotels and haciendas offering well-appointed accommodations. Many travelers visit Ecuador as part of an adventure or eco-tourist package tour. Tour operators within Ecuador and the Galapagos offer first class accommodations and service together with exceptional hospitality at some of the finest lodges anywhere. For information about accommodations in Ecuador and the Galapagos visit our travel section.
Attractions
Ecuador is one of the world’s most environmentally diverse places and its many destinations offer travelers a range of attractions to explore. A unique landscape awaits visitors as Ecuador hosts warm sunny beaches of the Pacific to impressive mountain villages in the Andes to the Amazon rain forest, to the world’s ecological wonder - the Galapagos Islands. The Ecuadorian Andes offer outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking, making it ideally suited for the outdoor sports enthusiast and one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America. With its rain forest, the Ecuadorian Amazon is home to thousands of distinct animal species such eight-pound toads as well as some of world’s most exotic food stuffs. Due to the country’s proximity to the equator and its diverse geography, Ecuador is an adventure traveler’s dream vacation. Where else on earth can you see first-hand prehistoric creatures roaming their indigenous habitats, see giant marine tortoises and marine iguanas, trek alongside active volcanoes, immerse yourself in the ancient culture of the Inca civilization, visit a world capital city standing only 15 miles from the Equator and situated at 2850 meters (9,000 feet) with over a million inhabitants! Other must-see attractions include Ecuador’s protected areas - its national parks and reserves included.
Monuments and Parks
Historical monuments and national parks abound in Ecuador. History buffs may wish to consider visiting the Ingapirca Archeological Site with its Temple of the Sun, chambers and observatories, and a visit to The Carondelet Palace - Ecuador's Seat of Government and its president. Those with an interest in architecture should see the Plaza de San Francisco with its intricate golden designs adorning the nearby Monastery of San Francisco with its 16th century artwork. Nearby is the San Augustine Monastery and Church with its remarkable courtyard, alters and candelabras. While in Guayaquil be sure to see the Moorish Clock Tower with views of the Naval Yacht Club. For the outdoors type, Ecuador is a land of incredible biodiversity and unique ecosystems - many of which have been designated as national parks. Some of our favorite parks include the Galapagos Marine Reserve which was declared a world heritage site in 2001; Illinizas Ecological Reserve known for its cloud forest and stunning crater lake of Laguna Quilotoa; and The Puyanop Petrified Forest, home to the largest known area of exposed petrified wood and an ecosystem teeming with 130 different species of birds and exotic trees such as the Kapok Tree. For more travel information come see our travel guide, which features more 23 of Ecuador’s most popular Protected Areas.
Places of Interest
Ecuador offers many fascinating places of interest both in its cities as well as in the countryside. Favorite among many travelers are the many fine museums throughout the country. In Quito, The Astronomic Observatory Museum located in Alameda Park and established in 1596 has an informative visitors center and a beautiful adjoining park. The Municipal Museum of Guayaquil provides visitors with a rich sampling of the history of Guayaquil including archaeological exhibits about the city’s first inhabitants. For those interested in anthropology and the study of indigenous peoples of Ecuador, try visiting The Aborigines Cultural Museum in Cuenca. The Museo Nacional del Banco Central del Ecuador, located in Quito, is a massive institution combining collections of fine art, ancient artifacts, technology, and other similarly fascinating exhibits. If you like the performing arts, Ecuador is home to many regional theatres, such as the famous Bolivar Theatre, the Patio de Comedias, Quito’s Prometeo Theatre, and the Teatro Sucre which is known for its fine plays, concerts and dance performances.
While you peruse our hundreds of pages of destination guides and travel catalogues be sure to look for special offers and the best prices on flights, hotels, and car rentals. If you have any travel questions please contact us.
We look forward to seeing you in Ecuador!
Gracias!
Travel Team at Ecuador.com
User Comments & Reviews
2010-03-11 23:34:51
Hi, I'm actually an Ecuadorian citizen living in the U.S and would like to let everyone that is intersted in retiring in Ecuador, that it is a good place to retire. Depending on what is your preference, every city and every region has its own cultures and ways of living. I am from Manta, a coatal city in the Manabi province. Life from what i remember, and from what i can see when i go visit, is very calm. If you live in the coast, you can take trips along the all the provinces taking one road(i forgot the name of it). Life is pretty cheap compared to the States; usually bowl of rice with chicken goes on average for about 1.50 usd. Senior citizens get lower rates in public transportation and are respected and cared for by every individual. Like Pascual Alvarado said, Ecuador is a very down to earth country; people, no matter what social class they belong to, hold family values that have been passed along generations. In a wrap up, Ecuador is a tranquil place to live and, hope so for my self, retire.
2010-03-04 01:18:09
Well personally Ecuador is a down to earth country poor people but very proud. I have visited many times and find everyone is willing to help one out. All your food is fresh just like your fruit and very inexpensive country side beautiful as the beaches. But like any place as the tourist go many do not respect mother nature and keep throwing trash any place. One when visiting has to visit all of the country from the mountains to the shores up north to down south.If you have the chance to visit I would highly recommend it one thing to note is that the Panama Hat is originally from Ecuador not Panama, Salinas is a mini Miami casinos resturants and beaches but yet less expensive. If one goes enjoy going back where no one is in such a rush to go nowhere.
2010-03-03 04:13:50
We are seriously thinking of retiring to Ecuador and would like information regarding housing, culture,health, people, and the acceptance of Americans living there.
2010-01-31 16:33:05
I am interested in moving to your country in the near future and would like more infomation on the cost associated with retiring there
2010-01-25 15:45:44
Hi we are retirees and very interested in considering Ecuador as a permanent residence; could you give some information about real estate prices and agencys? Many Thanks - Victor
2010-01-24 20:37:47
My 7 year old son is working on a school project on Ecuador. I'm actually looking for information on what it is the island cultivate and also what products they are known for. Any information and/or site you can help me with will be more then welcome and appreciated. Thank you very much.
2010-01-23 12:48:17
Trying to find a website for the Guayaquil Country Club and information on golf is very difficult. My wife and I will be visiting there as part of a cruise on 28 April and would like to play golf, if possible. Could you forward appropriate information? Thanks for your hekp. Bill Parker
2010-01-01 13:17:32
Patty gave budget info re living in Ecuador. I am interested in the possibility of residency on a pensioner visa and hope to visit for a month to check it out. What location do the quoted prices refer to? Any info from any of you would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
2009-12-28 16:11:38
Michelle, Bob & Tara, Ecuador is a wonderful place to live! It is very inexpensive. For a 1-2 bedroom apartment rents range from $100-$150 for something simple (not fancy & brand new). Electricity would be just under or over $10 per month however some apartments come w/ electricity included. Water would run just under $5 per month but again many apartments come w/ water included. Telephones run between $8-$12 per month for basic local service. Cooking gas is $1.60 per month. Local buses are 25 cents & local taxis are $1. You can get a good nourishing complete lunch in a (not fancy) restaurant for $2 including soup, rice, meat, salad, beans & juice. At the market it would be even cheaper. A pound of sugar is about 35 cents. A pound of carrots or potatoes 25 cents. MICHELLE - as far as the job market although SOME foreigners go to live & work in Ecuador over all I wouldn't suggest expecting to be able to work & support yourself there. Most foreigners go to Ecuador w/ their own money - pension, retirement money etc. Many Ecuadorians are unemployed & the country would never hire foreigners over their own nationals & rightly so I feel. Also often times our degrees from universities outside of Ecuador are not accepted there. About the only success in terms of employment I have heard of foreigners having is for someone to go in w/ a good amount of capitol & open their own business like a hotel or resort. TARA there is an English school in Vilcabamba, Ecuador where there is probably a fairly good chance that you might get a job. I believe it is seasonal & runs for like 6-8 weeks. Then it stops & begins again a short time later. If you ARE interested I suggest you try following some links to Vilcabamba where you will find more info. I have seen info about their English school there. A friend of mine who was actually an Ecuadorian taught there during the time that I was living there 1997-2002.
2009-12-05 19:09:34
ecuador is a nice place to have a vacation
2009-11-28 17:30:07
I would like to visit Ecuador for business purposes and schooling.
2009-11-09 11:18:28
This is intended for Ifeanyi Ikenze, who posted a comment September 24th, 2009. I will be more than grateful if you can link me with this guy. I believe we went to school together in the 80's and in the early 90's we lost contact. I have made spirited efforts to connect with him all to no availi. Will you be gracious enough to make our re-union possible? Hopefully, he will be the same guy I am looking for. Gracias.
2009-10-13 20:17:58
I would like information about living in Ecuador . Housing , food, job market.
2009-09-24 17:20:52
i will like to come and live and work in ecuador,i will be in cuba in 3 weeks time so i will like to be imformed about the above mentioned.thanks sinserlly, ifeanyi.
2009-09-21 09:26:31
Dear Bob Thomason, Thank you for visiting Ecuador.com. The members on our interactive forum, www.ecuador.com/forums/, share advice, information and discuss a variety of topics. We would like to invite you to join, where community members can assist you in your queries.
2009-09-20 21:33:43
I would like information about living in Ecuador. The cost of apartments, food. utililties, food etc. Thank you.
2009-09-16 08:43:51
Dear Tara Musich, Thank you for visiting Ecuador.com. We would like to invite you to join our interactive forum, www.ecuador.com/forum/, where community members share information and advice regarding a number of topics and general tourism information.
2009-09-15 20:51:20
I am interested in coming to live and teach Ebglish in Ecuador for 6 months to a year. Moreinformation regarding accomodations, etc. would be wonderful. Thank you.
2009-09-07 16:08:00
I would like to visit Ecuador as a visitor to explore nacture,falls,mountains,parks,beaches and culcture also.
2009-08-30 13:03:20
i would like to visit Ecuador for purpose of business.
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