Everything about Quito – from its setting along the slopes of Pichincha volcano to its having the best preserved, least altered historic center in Latin America – makes it a capital city worth visiting. (The ‘old town’ as the center is known was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.) Stroll along its narrow streets and enjoy the buskers, vendors, and locals going about their everyday business. Visit the monasteries of San Francisco and Santa Domingo, the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañia, the Cathedral of Quito or the hill of El Panecillo where you can view the 45m high statue of the Virgin Mary. Mariscal Sucre (Plaza Foch) offers a taste of modern Quito with its trendy bars, restaurants and nightlife.
The Amazon Jungle is the stuff of legends. Making up roughly 50% of the world’s rainforests and featuring an incredible diversity of flora and fauna – including such rare and exotic creatures as jaguars, puma, sloths, anacondas, and capybaras, not to mention an abundance of avian species – it is currently recognized as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. The Amazon extends across no less than eight South American nations, but highlights specific to the Ecuadorian Amazon include the Cuyabeno Reserve and Yasuni National Park, where visitors can experience a combination of jungle trails rich with bird and animal life, indigenous settlements where shamanism is still an integral part of the tribal culture, and jungle eco-lodges that give guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with the natural environment and its inhabitants.
As previously described
Situated on Santa Cruz Island of the Ecuadorian Galapagos Islands, the tourist town of Puerto Ayora is famous for its striking natural scenery, breathtaking beaches, and unique history. As the biggest town in the archipelago, it is from here that many excellent cruises, diving expeditions and land-based tours depart. Tortuga Bay, which rivals any South American beach, is perfect for swimming and sunbathing and also offers the chance to spot sharks, marine iguanas, pelicans, and the occasional flamingo; while the Charles Darwin Research Station is home to giant tortoises. Lava tunnels and two idyllic lagoons provide further opportunities to explore.
The small port town of Puerto Villamil is located on the edge of Ecuador's Isabela Island. This quiet town features sandy roads and strong agricultural and fishing businesses. Surrounded by beautiful natural areas, Puerto Villamil is home to a number of birdlife species such as flamingos, Bahama pintails, gallinules, and whimbrels which can be found around the saltwater lagoon. Tourists can explore nearby attractions such as the Wall of Tears, the Tortoise Breeding Center, gorgeous white sand beaches, and a boardwalk that leads to a mangrove environment. There are also several fine restaurants offering authentic traditional cuisine as well as some wonderful local markets.
As previously described
