http://www.ecuador.com/blog/ en 2008-07-01T12:00:43+01:00 hourly 6 2008-07-01T12:00:43+01:00 http://www.ecuador.com/blog/pamela-cortes-ecuadors-shooting-star 2008-07-01T12:00:43+01:00 en Editor Features Talented Ecuadorian singer, actress and dancer, Pamela Cortes has, in her relatively short career, won numerous awards for her performances. She is very popular in her home country of Ecuador, and is considered to be a good unofficial ambassador for her country when she travels and performs abroad. http://www.ecuador.com/blog/rumicucho-pucara-reminder-of-the-past 2008-06-24T13:06:52+01:00 en Editor Features Set in barren, semi-arid landscape on sandy, volcanic soil, the ruins of Pucara Rumicucho are situated about 30 kilometers north of the city of Quito in Ecuador. Built by the Incas in the 15th century under the leadership of Tupac Yupanqui, the tenth Sapa Inca (God Emperor) of the Inca Empire, Pucara Rumicucho is one of the many tourist attractions in the area that is well worth exploring. http://www.ecuador.com/blog/yachana-lodge-experience-the-wonders-of-nature 2008-06-17T12:59:35+01:00 en Editor Features Yachana Lodge in Ecuador enables guests to enjoy exciting days, lazy afternoons and magical evenings, while assisting the ecotourism industry and aiding the conservation efforts that are being made in Ecuador. Here amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Amazon, guests will learn, discover and explore nature and its many secrets. The Yachana Lodge is dedicated to the education and conservation of the rainforests and all its inhabitants. http://www.ecuador.com/blog/bike-hike-adventures-in-ecuador 2008-06-10T12:27:49+01:00 en Editor Features Bike Hike Adventures offers a unique and exciting way to explore Ecuador and become acquainted with the local people, as well as their customs, culture and traditions. Founded in 1994 by Trish Sare, Bike Hike Adventures aims to bring together like-minded people who love the outdoors and, as the name suggests, have a passion for adventure. http://www.ecuador.com/blog/awa-ethnic-and-forest-reserve 2008-06-03T10:56:00+01:00 en Editor Features The Awa are an ancestral indigenous nation residing in the north-western regions of Ecuador and the south-western regions of Colombia. With their own unique culture and their own language, the Awa have twenty-two legally established Awa communities in Ecuador under the direction of the Federation of Awa Centers of Ecuador (FCAE). FCAE has been granted a total of approximately 115,330 hectares of land, which is located in the Ecuadorian provinces of Esmeraldas, Imbabura and Carchi. The biodiverse Awa Ethnic and Forest Reserve forms part of FCAE land. http://www.ecuador.com/blog/vibrant-atmosphere-and-striking-surroundings-of-puerto-lopez 2008-05-27T12:40:45+01:00 en Editor Features When looking for a destination in Ecuador that boasts vibrant festivals, great accommodation and natural attractions, there is no better destination to explore than Puerto Lopez. Located on the coast of Ecuador, with a local population of no greater than ten thousand, the town and its people are dedicated to creating awareness of wildlife and nature and to focus on the tourism industry. Many locals will say that one should not read about Puerto Lopez but experience Puerto Lopez. But for the curious, here are a few activities and attractions to look forward to. http://www.ecuador.com/blog/banos-zoo 2008-05-20T12:54:10+01:00 en Editor Features Known as the “Gateway to the Amazon”, the city of Banos in the Tungurahua Province of central Ecuador is a prime tourist destination. In addition to the active Tungurahua Volcano, there are a number of places of interest to explore in and around this interesting Ecuadorian city. The Banos Zoo, situated about a mile from the center of the city, is well worth a visit. http://www.ecuador.com/blog/on-the-top-of-the-little-face-of-god 2008-05-15T12:05:27+01:00 en Doris Noboa Features Quito, the land of the Quitus, had already displayed his charms long before the Spanish Conquistadores arrived, and it is no wonder that before he passed away, Atahualpa, the last Inca, commanded that his heart must be buried in the capital of Ecuador. There is not doubt that the colonial influence left its invaluable print on the largest historic centre in the Americas and that is one of the reasons why Quito is the first World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO. But anyone who has visited this South American city will agree that all the buildings and churches would not have the fascination on the visitor without the mountain surroundings and the clarity of the skies, which are an essential part of Quito’s mysterious beauty. Beauty that since 2005 is possible to appreciate from a privileged spot, the Teleferiqo cable cars located on Cruz Loma, one of the hills of the Pichincha Volcano. http://www.ecuador.com/blog/recharge-in-beautiful-muisne 2008-05-13T08:12:22+01:00 en Editor Features Separated from the mainland of north-western Ecuador by a narrow channel, the small island known as Isla de Muisne (also referred to as the enchanted island) is the perfect destination for travelers who want a complete break from the hustle and bustle of modern living. Barefooted locals with bicycle taxis will cheerfully pedal tourists from the small town of Muisne, where the ferries and water taxis from the mainland offload their passengers, to any of the ocean-front hotels on the island, where they are guaranteed to receive a warm welcome and typical island hospitality. http://www.ecuador.com/blog/a-remarkable-stay-at-huaorani-eco-lodge 2008-05-06T10:48:37+01:00 en Editor Features The Huaorani have long been inhabitants of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Living as gatherers and hunters, they had no contact with the outside world until the end of the 1950s when they were contacted by missionaries, who were later followed by oil companies seeking to exploit the wealth of oil present in the Huaorani territory. Although some territory was lost, the Huaoranis’ way of life remains much the same as it has for many centuries. Tourists looking for an experience that is truly out of the ordinary can gain insight into the lives of these extraordinary people by visiting the Huaorani Eco Lodge.