Tourist information

Republica del Ecuador or the "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). In Western Latino America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, the phrase 'small is beautiful' could have been coined specifically with Ecuador in mind. By South American standards it is tiny (only half the size of France), the smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands and dwarfed by its neighbours Colombia and Peru. But it is this relative compactness which is one of its main attractions and it's among the most rewarding travel destinations in South America. With its array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly volcanic landscapes and dense rainforest, it packs its perimeters with more points of interest than many countries twice its size.

Where to go

When to go

Money & Costs

History

Culture

If you've only got a few weeks in which to explore a place, you really don't want to spend half your time in an aircraft or on a bus. Here, you can watch dawn break over the jungle canopy, have lunch high in the Andean mountains, then watch the sun slip into the Pacific Ocean, all in the same day. Ecuador is comprised roughly in 4 distinct geographical regions: El Oriente (Amazon Jungle) in the east, La Sierra (Andes Mountains or the Highlands) in the center, La Costa (the Pacific lowlands) in the west and of course the Galapagos Islands, a 1000 km off the coast. When you're in El Oriente and you want to visit a typical jungle town, go to Tena. Tena is the kind of place you expect to run in to Indiana Jones and where you can spot Quichua Indians, the local inhabitants. It is the perfect launching place point for a jungle trek, a spelunking expedition or a kayaking trip down one of the rivers. In La Sierra is the most visited region in the country and contents 47 % of the population. Go to the capital Quito which is often described as a city with a small town atmosphere (although it is rapidly growing into a sprawling metropolis).

Once the capital of the northern Incan empire, Quito is home to "Old Town", one of the most extensive colonial districts in Latin America. See the "Old Town" with its colourful street life and crowded plazas, see art and lots of gold in the museum Casa de la Cultura and richly decorated colonial churches and busy, pleasant town parks. Go out in one of the many bars, or go eat barbecued guinea pig! Visit cities like Otavalo (with its most famed Indian market) and the hotspring baths of Baños, a town situated in a valley of eternal spring. Go to Mitad del Mundo (of the world), a monument marking the equator and Don't miss the opportunity to place one foot in each hemisphere! Or dare to climb the peaks of Ecuador's tallest volcano, Chimborazo (6,310 meters) and the Cotopaxi volcano, highlight of Cotopaxi National Park. In Cuenca, Ecuador's third largest city, and one of the prettiest and therefore a great place to spend a few days relaxing in the colonial atmosphere or visiting the nearby Incan ruins of Ingapirca In Ibarra, also known as the White City for its colonial whitewashed buildings. You can hop aboard the train which rolls its way down from the Andes to the coastal town of San Lorenzo. Being in La Costa a sneak peak in the city of Guayaquil wouldn't hurt you at all. Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city, most populous urban area and a significant South American trading hub. But other than that Guayaquil having a very vivid nightlife, you can enjoy yourself by going to cafés, bars, discotheques etc.