Ecuador Travel Blog

Ecuador country of 4 worlds, in one place...!
#AllYouNeedIsEcuador

Ecuador, officially called the Republic of Ecuador, is a sovereign country located in the northwestern region of South America. Bordered on the North by Colombia, Northwest with Peru, to the South and to the East with the Peru. The Pacific Ocean bathes the western coast, and separates it from the Galapagos Islands located thousand kilometers to the West.

Soo close Quito the capital of the Andes, stands the Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. It is currently one of the most traditional and culturally better preserved on the planet, it has 5 nominations for the Cultural heritage of humankind, two natural heritage of humanity and over 20 candidates for other commemorations of the Unesco .

History of the Ecuador

The first human settlements in Ecuadorian territory date back to 12 000 to.C., subsequently developed several pre-Columbian peoples. After the definitive independence from Spanish rule, part of the territory joined quickly the Gran Colombia, while the coastal territory remained independent until the annexation by manu militari by Simón Bolívar. In 1830 the Colombian territories of the South seceded and created the Ecuadorian nation.In 1979, the country returned to democratic system, although political instability between 1996 to 2006 led the country into an economic, political and social crisis, resulting in the dollarization of its economy and toppled three Presidents before the end of its mandate.

The Ecuador culture

Rag dolls representing the indigenous culture of Ecuador is a multi-ethnic and multicultural nation.It should consider the ethnic and regional diversity of Ecuador to analyze their culture. Ethnically it is marked by the presence of mestizos and indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian, white; as well as regions such as the coast, the sierra, the East and the insular region, all of them with very rich specificities.

The Ecuador climate

The country has a tropical and humid climate, the air quality is very good by the presence of large natural forests, national parks, and the Amazon rainforest.

Geography of the Ecuador

Ecuador is located on the terrestrial Equator by which its territory is located in both hemispheres.The country has an area of 283,561 square kilometers. It is divided into four natural regions (La Costa, Sierra, the Amazon and the Insular region or Galapagos), in turn is divided administratively into 24 provinces.
In the Pacific coast are the provinces of Esmeraldas, Manabi, Los Rios, Guayas, Santa Elena and El Oro.In the Andes, in the North and central are Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua and Chimborazo, in the South are Bolivar, Cañar, Azuay and Loja.In the Amazon, on the other hand are succumbing, Napo, Pastaza, Orellana, Morona Santiago and Zamora Chinchipe and in the island, the Galapagos Islands, made up of 13 main islands region.

The Ecuador economy

Ecuador is a major exporter of bananas (first place worldwide in its production and export), flowers, and the eighth World producer of cocoa.Petroleum accounts for 40% of exports and contributes to maintaining a positive trade balance.

Festivals in the Ecuador

• Easter, many of the provinces celebrated on this date, with regional events.
• November 2, the Difuntos.
• 25 of December day, they celebrate Christmas, sharing in family.
• 331 December, farewell of the year.

Regions natural of the Ecuador

Amazon rainforest, Andes mountains, Costa and the Galapagos Islands.

Ecuador national parks

Parque Nacional Yasuní, Cotopaxi, Sangay National Park, National Park Podocarpus, El Cajas National Park, National Park Machalilla National Park.

Languages spoken in Ecuador

Ecuador speaks the Spanish throughout the territory, also Quechua indigenous populations of the Sierra and the Amazon, but as it is a country with a tourist infrastructure in development, can be guides in several languages; It is possible to speak in English at the points of attention to tourists called "iTur"; created by the Ministry of tourism also in airports, Bus Terminal, municipalities and others find information points.

Shopping in Ecuador

We recommend going to the handicrafts market of Otavalo, located about 2 hours (120 km) of Quito city, there you can get variety of souvenirs and handicrafts that are found in the rest of the Andean region.And don't forget Cotacachi, a town with cute works in leather of high quality.
In the city of Cuenca also can be purchased pottery, textiles, jewelry, crafts in toquilla straw, wrought iron, etc.

Food typical of the Ecuador

Ecuador has a variety of typical food, in each of the natural regions, such as Costa, Sierra and East have their own typical food, in the East can eat a Chontacuro (worms grilled on skewer), in the Sierra you can eat a delicious "fry pork", a hornado, llapingachos, the Guinea pig, the classic "sing" in Cuenca, and a fish coconut coast, prieta salt, green bolon or ceviche de concha and many more dishes.In Manabi most importantly the food is tanning with lemon and fresh fish.

• Pope locro, is a stew with squash, beans, corn or potatoes.
• Roast Cuy or Guinea.
• Cebiche or ceviche, this dish is very consumed in the coastal area.
• Encebollado, is a stew of fish containing Yucca and pickled red onions.
• Cuy or Guinea pig, is usually roasted.
• Bolón de pescado
• Bolón, is based green bananas broiled or fried previously.
• Fritada is another delicious dish of Ecuador.Not be left confused by the name, is not a dish of fried meat.The meat of pig or pork is cooked in plenty of water and orange juice with cumin, garlic, onion, salt and pepper until the water has been consumed to be completed. Then the meat begins to Brown in its own fat. Also is it accompanied by mote (boiled maize).

Drinks and fun in Ecuador

There are many clubs and bars in constant renewal in the country.

• A reference point for nightlife is Montañita where Sun, surf, beach and joy.
• In Guayaquil, there are bars and clubs for all tastes.
• In Quito, the area of fun, dancing, alcohol is known as the Mariscal. Current law restricts the opening of bars and nightclubs on holidays; the days Friday and Saturday until 2:00 am, on Sunday the sale of alcoholic beverages is limited.

Lodging in Ecuador

Ecuador has a good hotel infrastructure for all kinds of tourists, from Hostels up to Super exclusive luxury hotels such as the Hilton Hotel Oro Verde, Sheraton, Wyndham, Unipark, among others. All this is thanks to the good tourist development that has had the country in recent years.
If you need more information about where to stay, we recommend you to enter this link: Lodging in Ecuador and review the tourism infrastructure that exists in all of the Ecuador.

Tourism in Ecuador

Ecuador lies within the countries more diverse in its ecosystem and for this reason National Geographic categorized it within the top 10 tourist destinations in adventure.

Cultural in Ecuador tourist attractions

Historic center of Quito, Mitad del Mundo, Ingapirca ruins, historic centre of Cuenca, Latacunga, and much more.Come and visit Ecuador!

Natural tourist attractions in Ecuador

Galapagos Islands, National Park Yasuní, National Park El Cajas National Park Sangay, Parque nacional Podocarpus, Vilcabamba, bathrooms.
Glaciers and volcanoes: Antisana, Cayambe, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo Illinizas.El is the volcano and highest mountain of Ecuador, is the farthest from the center of the Earth, and «the point closest to the Sun». Its last known eruption is believed that you occurred around the 550 dC.
Beaches: Crucita, Atacames, Bahía de Caráquez, Esmeraldas, Manta, Salinas, Montañita