See what the experts are saying about Ecuador. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
-
Introduction
Ecuador likes to boast that it is really four distinct destinations: the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon basin, the high Andean Sierra, and the Pacific coast. In fact, it's much more. Quito offers up both colonial gems and modern pleasures. Cue... Continue reading »
-
Frommer's favorite experiences
Stepping Back in Time in Colonial Quito: Founded in 1534, Quito was the first city to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its Old Town seems in many ways to have changed little over the centuries. Walk the rough cobblestone streets a... Continue reading »
-
Best dining bets
Cafe Mosaico (Quito; tel. 02/2542-871): With an eclectic menu, convivial ambience, and outstanding view over Old Town Quito, the Cafe Mosaico is a must-visit spot. Come a bit before sunset and hopefully you'll be able to snag a table with a v... Continue reading »
-
Best hotel bets
The Best Luxury Hotels JW Marriott Hotel (Quito; tel. 800/228-9290 in the U.S. and Canada, or 02/2972-000 in Ecuador; www.marriotthotels.com): With an imposing glass-atrium-covered lobby, gorgeous rooms, attentive service, and good restaur... Continue reading »
-
The best bird-watching
Ecuador is home to some 1,600 species of resident and migratory birds. With such a wide range in ecosystems, altitude, terrain, and habitat, you'll have to travel around the country some to get a full sense of the diversity. Many of the popul... Continue reading »
-
The best ecolodges & wilderness resorts
Two distinct, yet in some ways similar, lodging options in Ecuador are small, converted old haciendas and isolated ecolodges. While the haciendas tend to be located on the high Andean plains, the ecolodges are mostly found in the Oriente or t... Continue reading »
-
The best family attractions
El Teleferiqo & Vulqano Park (Quito; tel. 02/3250-076; www.teleferiqo.com): If you spend any time in Quito, and if you have kids in town, this is a must-stop. The fast and thrilling ride up the mountain in this cable-car gondola is usually en... Continue reading »
-
The best historic sites
From the ruins and relics left behind by pre-Columbian peoples to the ornate colonial-era churches, monasteries, and convents built by the Spanish conquistadors -- not to mention the work of iconic Ecuadorian artist Oswaldo Guayasamin -- Ecua... Continue reading »
-
The best inns and bed & breakfasts
Mansion del Angel (Quito; tel. 800/327-3573 in the U.S., or 02/2557-721 in Quito; www.mansiondelangel.com.ec): With crystal chandeliers, Oriental rugs, and four-poster beds, this boutique hotel offers all the elegance and style of a bygone er... Continue reading »
-
The best natural attractions
With natural delights ranging from the Galapagos Islands to snowcapped volcanic peaks, and from Amazon lowland rainforests to high Andean paramo, Ecuador is a naturalist's wonderland. Whether or not you want to hike or climb, bird-watch or si... Continue reading »
-
The best nightlife
Mariscal District (Quito): The 4- to 5-square-block area known as Mariscal, in the heart of Quito's New Town, is chock-full of bars, clubs, discos, and restaurants. It's busy here every night of the week, but especially Thursday through Satur... Continue reading »
-
The best shopping
Ecuador is renowned for its artisans and their craftsmanship. Woven products, made from sheep, alpaca, or even vicu?a wool, are perhaps the most well known, but a wide range of arts and crafts is produced. The indigenous tribes of El Oriente... Continue reading »
Ecuador Travel Experiences
-
On top of the World, literally
I realize it most when I am in the bus. The huge city passing by me, seeing hundreds of people in one ride and this is when I think to my... Continue reading »
-
Cotopaxi
Having found our land-legs after the fantastic Galapagos trip, we were adjusting back to city life in Quito. We decided it would be... Continue reading »
-
My Cotopaxi climb!
Last weekend I braved Cotopaxi, which is the highest active volcano in the world at 5897 metres to the summit. It last blew its top in 18... Continue reading »
-
Climbing the highest active volcano in the world!
Hola!!! How is everyone??Seems like AGES since rich and i have been at sacha, but it has only been 5 days vacation!!! Well, to start at t... Continue reading »
-
Ecuador Vacation-Quito
Nov. 18, Friday: Melissa had arranged a tour with a guide. The first thing we had to see was the middle of the world, the equator. It... Continue reading »
