Ecuador is a country straddling the equator on South America’s west coast. Its diverse landscape encompasses Amazon jungle, Andean highlands and the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands. In the Andean foothills at an elevation of 2 850m, Quito, the capital, is known for its largely intact Spanish colonial center, with decorated 16th and 17th century palaces and religious sites, like the ornate Compañía de Jesús Church.
Population: 16.62 million
Capital: Quito
Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
Official languages: Spanish
Different ways to move around: local buses and long-distance buses offer a good service, renting a car start from 35$/Day, taxis and hitchhiking are common.
From the city of Guayaquil, you can take the bus to Montanita, which takes around 3 hours and costs approximately
To visit, the majority of the islands will require that you hire a guide licensed within the Galapagos National Park.
Mindo is located only 2 hours northwest of Quito, and is easily accessible by bus or car. There are direct
One good option to reach the lagoon of Quilotoais to take the bus from Quito to the city of Latacunga
Note, that there is no public transportation buses that enter the Cotopaxi National Park. However, you can take the bus
From Quito, there are a few buses that reach Quiroga, which is the closest city to the Cuicocha Cracter. From
From the city of Quito you can take the two and a half hour bus trip to Cayambe-Coca National Reserve.
Paílón Del Diablo is situated about half an hour from Baños. From Baños you can find many travel agencies offering
The best way to get to Las Grietas is via water taxi from the main port on the Santa Cruz