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The thriving port city of Guayaquil in Ecuador started off in 1547 as a small settlement on a hill overlooking the ocean and the Guayas River. Referred to as the Little Green Hill at the time, this area is now the neighborhood of Las Peñas, and the hill is known as Santa Ana Hill. This vibrant community has become a popular tourist attraction offering spectacular views of the Gulf of Guayaquil and the bustling modern city below. Santa Ana Hill features paved walkways with colorfully painted houses and a number of cafés, restaurants, art galleries and quaint little shops selling traditional and contemporary handicrafts.
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Located on the Ecuadorian coastline, with miles of pristine beaches and surrounded by 238 hectares of dry tropical forest, Chirije has a history stretching back to pre-Columbian times and is a treasure trove of archeological artifacts from ancient cultures. Discovered by renowned archeologist Emilio Estrada in the 1950s, the site was a strategic seaport for the Bahia culture which existed from around 500 BCE to 500 CE. Named the Chirije Culture by Estrada, the Bahia people settled here were seafaring merchants who traveled as far north as Mexico, and ventured as far south as Chile, trading ornaments and unusual shells, such as the spectacular and rare red thorny oyster, for gold, copper, turquoise and lapis lazuli – an intensely blue semi-precious stone, mottled with brassy pyrite.
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Ecuador's Galápagos archipelago is world-renowned for its incredible biodiversity, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Santiago is one of the islands most visited by tour groups, but many other islands are well worth exploring. Located south of Santiago, the geology of Isla Rábida makes it stand out from the other Galápagos Islands, in that it consists primarily of spatter-cone volcanic lava and eroded hills in spectacular shades of red and brown. Visitors to Isla Rábida will land on the island's northern beach with its unusual maroon-colored sand. Upon arrival, they are likely to see sea lions and marine iguanas lazing in and around the nearby caves. Brown pelicans can be spotted nesting in the vegetation just inland from the beach, while masked and blue-footed boobies nest on the cliffs above.
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It used to be known as Charles Island, named in honor of England’s Charles II, but Juan Jose Flores, who was Ecuador's first president, reclaimed the archipelago and the island was renamed to Floreana Island as a tribute to Flores. It is also sometimes referred to as Santa Maria, after one of Columbus’ caravels. Floreana forms part of the Galapagos Islands. It has a long history with mariners, thus there are many stories and legends related to the island.
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The peaceful village of Peguche is located just outside of Otavalo. There once was a time when the village was bustling with traffic and visitors, as a railway line used to run through the village; but now, as the lines have been unused since the 1980s, tranquillity has blanketed Peguche. Even though it is not as busy as it used to be, there is still more than enough reasons to visit this picturesque location and its friendly locals, who make a living out of agriculture, as well as weaving.
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Located an approximately twenty minutes drive outside of Riobamba, the small village of Guano is situated in the Chimborazo Province. Nestled in the valley, Guano is surrounded by picturesque landscapes. It is a destination where ancient cultural traditions can be seen in action as it is known for producing the most beautiful carpets in the world. The town is small and can be explored by foot, and there are a few noteworthy attractions and activities that visitors can discover while in Guano.
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The Chota Valley stretches through three provinces within Ecuador, namely Esmeraldas, Imbabura and Carchi. There are numerous villages scattered throughout the Chota Valley, which are referred to as El Chota. The Chota River runs along the upper part of the valley, and is situated almost in the middle of the area that runs between the border of Columbia and the equator. Ibarra hosts the valley's most significant market, but the nearest large city to the valley is Quito.
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Cobblestone streets wind through the historical buildings and structures of the town of Gualaceo. The locals are warm and inviting, eager to share the relaxed atmosphere that blankets the town. There are approximately forty thousand residents in Gualaceo and due to it being so picturesque and tranquil the town has been nicknamed El Jardin Del Azuay, meaning "The Garden of Azuay". The exact origin of the name of the town is debatable; however, historians do agree that the town's name translates to "Macaw's Settlement".
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