Ecuador is the home to the Galapagos Islands, one of the most famous island chains in the world. However, mainland Ecuador offers visitors a getaway steeped in biodiversity, rich culinary heritage and historic city centers with cathedrals and cobblestone streets. Located on the western edge of South America between Colombia and Peru, it is an accessible destination for travelers. On your visit to Ecuador, add time to see the volcanoes, the Amazon rainforest and sample its amazing food.
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Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites
See the Galapagos Islands
See Active Volcanoes
Travel to the Amazon
Visit a National Park
Enjoy Moderate Weather
Ecuador uses the U.S. Dollar
Stay in the Same Time Zone
Nonstop U.S. flights into Ecuador’s International Airports
Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Ecuador has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the North, Quito features a colonial core of 16th—and 17th-century buildings. To the south, Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca (or Cuenca) is a medieval walled city.
The Galapagos Islands are a UNESCO site, as is Sangay National Park. Then the Qhapaq Nan, an Andean Road System, is also recognized by UNESCO. It was created by the Incas over several centuries and traverses the Andean Mountain terrain.
See the Galapagos Islands
The famed islands are actually 1,000 kilometers from the mainland. The archipelago consists of 13 larger islands and over 100 smaller, uninhabited islands. According to Santiago Granda, the undersecretary of promotion in Ecuador, about 75% FC of U.S. visitors travel to the Galapagos.
Most are there to witness the rich biodiversity and the island’s endemic species. Highlights include 45 species of birds found nowhere else, 42 reptiles, 15 mammals and 79 fish in its marine reserves. There are over 500 plants in the Galapagos Islands that are unique to the island chain.
Charles Darwin came here in 1835 to study, and the visit was fundamental to his Theory of Evolution. The Ecuadorian government established the area as a national park in 1959 and observes strict limits for cruise and tour operators.
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See Active Volcanoes
According to the Smithsonian Institute, there are 36 volcanoes in Ecuador. There are composite, shield, cluster volcanoes and calderas. Not all are active volcanoes.
Cotopaxi and Sangay are inside national parks. Fernandina and Reventador have also been active within the last two years.
Visit a National Park
In addition to the Galapagos Islands National Park and Marine Reserve, there are several other national parks to visit in Ecuador. The Cotopaxi National Park protects one of the world’s tallest active volcanoes. The Sangay National Park is another park with a volcano: the Sangay Volcano.
The Yusani National Park is deep in the Amazon and is the largest national park. El Cajas National Park is in Southern Ecuador and close to the UNESCO Heritage Site of Cuenca, and is the home to crystal clear glacial lakes.
Travel to the Amazon
The Amazon Rainforest includes five other countries. To see the amazing flora and fauna, head to Ecuador’s Amazon, where you will find eco-lodges and guides.
The Yasuni National Park is a protected area in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest. To the north of the park, travelers will find lodging and dining along the Napo River, a tributary of the Amazon River.
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Savor Amazing Food
Ecuadorian cuisine is rich, both in ingredients and flavors. It is the ancestral home of Cacao. Both Tuna and Seabass are fished offshore. The temperate climate allows for lots of locally grown produce.
From locro de papa, a potato and cheese soup, to fried Llapingachos to Espumilla, a meringue of guava pulp, egg whites and sugar, no one will go hungry in Ecuador. Arepas and empanadas are also widely available.
Moderate Weather
Ecuador gets its name from the equator, which runs east to west through the entire country. With that position, the weather remains similar throughout the year.
Each day has 12 hours of sunlight with little variation from summer to winter. Equador’s temperatures are temperate, ranging from TK to TK. It doesn’t freeze in the developed areas; the snow line is over 15,000 feet, so volcanoes are snowcapped.
Ecuador Uses the U.S. Dollar
This is one of the independent countries that uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency, which makes travel easier for U.S. travelers.
Tipping in Ecuador is common, especially for good service from drivers, tour guides and in restaurants and bars. So bring along some smaller bills for tips.
Stay in the Same Time Zone
Ecuador is in the GMT-5 time zone, like North America’s Eastern Time Zone. The Galapagos Islands are on GMT-6, or like the Central Time Zone.
Ecuador doesn’t use daylight saving time. For planning, most U.S. flights arrive in the evening.
Nonstop U.S. flights into Ecuador’s International Airports
You can fly into Quito, Ecuador’s capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelers should spend a day or two exploring one of the city centers to learn more about Ecuador’s culture and history.
Guayagryll is another option for U.S. travelers. It is a popular departure point for the Galapagos Islands.
Miami and Atlanta are popular gateways for Ecuador. Houston is another city with a nonstop to Quito.
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