ECUADOR > LATIN AMERICA > INDEX


Republic of Ecuador.

Provinces in Ecuador : Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua and Zamora-Chinchipe.

Ecuador is the smallest country in the Andean highlands. With its array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well preserved colonial architecture, worldly volcanic landscapes and rainforest, it has more points of interest than many countries. rafting, trekking, volcanoes, and Humpback Whale Watching.

Ecuador borders Colombia and Peru.

Capital City of Ecuador: Quito


hotels, travel agencies, travel guides, transportattion / traveling to ecuador

links


Car Rentals Chile / Rental Car

 Avis
World's second largest general-use car rental business, providing business and leisure customers with a wide range of services.
 Budget Rent A Car
 Hertz

Hostels Equador / Hosteria

 Hostelbookers - Great Hostels, Free booking, Fast & Easy to use
Hostelbookers.com is one of the worlds largest online booking services for hostels. All hostels you see here are offering realtime prices and availability.

Hotels in Ecuador

 All-hotels.com 
 Expedia.com

 Smooth Hound Systems
A wide range of holiday and business accommodation Worldwide. Bed & breakfast room rates to suit all pockets

Tour Operators / Travel Agents

 Allegro Holidays - Taste of the Jungle - Jungle Lodge Tour
The Adventure Begins with a 45 minute flight from Quito, crossing the Andes and flying to Coca. From here, you will travel by motorized dugout canoe on the Napo River, one of the major tributaries of the Amazon until coming to the Yuturi River.  During the trip, you will have many opportunities to enjoy the jungle scenery along the streamside. The Yuturi complex is located on the shores of a beautiful series of lakes, surrounded by the jungle and all the wonderful sounds of all the animals.
Allegro Holidays is a specialty tour operator offering intriguing and unique tours for intellectually demanding travelers. Most of the packages are available all year round and can be customized to your specific needs.
 Row International 
Adventure trips in Ecuador include cruising the Galapagos Islands, our unique sea kayaking trip in the Galapagos and Galapagos dive trips, whitewater rafting on the Rio Upano, walking trips to Ecuador's haciendas and much more!
 Tara Tours [ CT ] - Exotic destinations in South America
 Tucan Travel
If you have an adventurous spirit, a strong sense of fun, a desire to embrace new cultures and long to see the world as it really is, then come and take the adventure of a lifetime with us and lose yourself in Equador.



 Darwin Adventure
Galapagos Islands Galapagos tours cruises vacation travel
 Explorers' Corner - Galápagos - Kayaking in Darwin's Paradise
 Inka Empires Tours - Luxury Ecuador Tours

 Travel Guides Ecuador / Related Books

Books about Ecuador 

Travel Guides Ecuador

Travel Guides Galapagos Islands

Transportation / How do I travel to Ecuador

 Quito Airport - Mariscal Antonio José de Sucre en Quito
 Guayaquil Airport - El Simón Bolívar en Guayaquil

 Airline Tickets / Bargain Flights - Flights to Ecuador

 Bus / Coach - Compañías de transporte Interprovincial

 Trolebus Quito - operation, services

 Train
More a tourist attraction rather than a transport system. The train system was known as one of the hardest in the whole world because it runs through the Andes between huge cliffs, canyons and rivers. If you are in a hurry don't count on it because it is too old and slow, but is one of the greatest ways to know Ecuador. It's hard to know the departure and arriving schedules of the train and you must inform yourself about which lines are working. In any travel agency will help you in this adventure over rails.
The Ecuadorian railroad routes are: Railroad North and Railroad South.

 Maps of Ecuador [ Uni Texas - Perry-Castañeda Library - Map Collection ]


Links 

 Travel Insurance - online travel and holiday insurance for UK and Irish residents

  Ecuador Travel Information - Ecuador Ministry of Tourism
Ecuador [ culture, nature, economy, history, climate, geography, and more ], Trip Planning [ visas, money, health, packing, calendars, transportation, & more ], Destinations [ Guides to the Amazon, Andes, Coast, and Galapagos Islands ], Activities [ Insider's info on birdwatching, hiking, climbing, biking, archeology, indigenous markets ]

 Vive Ecuador
Ecuador [ Culture, nature, economy, history, climate, geography, and more ], Trip Planning [ visas, money, health, packing, calendars, transportation, & more ], Destinations [ guides to the Amazon, Andes, Coast, and Galapagos Islands ], Activities [ insider's info on birdwatching, hiking, climbing, biking, archeology, indigenous markets, and more ].

 Government Ecuador - Gobierno Nacional de la Republica de Ecuador

 Quito - World Heritage - Quito Tourist Portal
Enjoying a privileged position in the high Andes, surrounded by beautiful valleys and cupped by spectacular mountains, Quito is so close to sky you can almost touch it.
As the city's official tourism portal, they invite you to discover Quito's historical, cultural and contemporary heritage, its World Heritage wonders, and its warm and friendly people.
 Quito City  - Government Quito
20 km south of the Equator in a 2850 m high Becken der Anden

 Azuay Province
 Bolivar
 Canar
 Carchi
 Chimborazo
 Cotopaxi
 El Oro
 Esmeraldas
 Galapagos Islands - inhabited by animals not found elsewhere in the world
An archipelago of 13 major volcanic islands and more than 40 small islands, is a treasure chest of plants and animals -- many found no where else in the world. The islands are situated on the equator 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador.
 Guayas - Cámara de Turismo del Guayas - Tourist Office Guayas Province
 Guayaquil [ capital city ]
 Imbabura
 Loja
 Los Rios
 Manabi
 Morona-Santiago
 Napo
 Pastaza
 Pichincha
 Sucumbios
 Tungurahua
 Zamora-Chinchipe

 Ambato
 Azogues
 Babahoyo
 Cuenca
 Esmeraldas
 Guaranda
 Guayaquil
 Ibarra
 Loja
 Latacunga
 Macas
 Machala
 Nueva Loja
 Portoviejo
 Puerto Baquerizo Moreno - Hauptstadt Galapagos
 Puerto Francisco de Orellana
 Puyo
 Riobamba
 Santa cruz - Galapagis Islands
 Tena
 Tulcán
 Zamora

 Amazon Rain Forest - exotic jungle, rivers and wide range of plants and animals
 Highlands of the Andes - Snowcapped mountains, volcanoes, Indian villages, and colonial cities
 Isla de Plata - Silver Island - Pearl of the Ecuadorian Coast.
Alternative for the larger, but very expensive Galapagos Islands. Birdwatching etc.
 Pacific Coast - with great beaches

 Galapagos Conservation Trust
Since 1995, the Galapagos Conservation Trust has been working to protect and conserve the Galapagos islands. We believe that if we protect the Galapagos, its unique flora and fauna – inspiration to Charles Darwin – will continue as a place of enlightenment and inspiration to future generations.
 San Martin Zoo
Ecozoologico San Martin is located in Banos, Ecuador and houses many species of animals found in the Amazonia Cloud Forest of Ecuador's central highlands. Banos is approximately four hours from Quito and is the primary gateway to the Amazon basin. The City of Banos and the Zoo sit at the base of Tungurahua Volcano in a series of canyon walls next to the beautiful Pastaza Rio.
 Radio - JC Radio
 TV - Ecuavisa
 Press - El Telegrafo [ Guayaquil ]
 Press - Hoy Online [ Quito ]
Opinión | Política | Dinero | País | Deportes | Cultura | América | El Mundo

 Inca
The Central highlands of the Andes was the seat of the Inca empire. It stretched from the south of Colombia to the north of Chile, over an area of more than four thousand square kilometers, across a land known as Tahuantinsuyo. The Incas were thus made up of a vast population of dozens of different ethnic groups with their own languages, customs and economies based on cultivation of the land. In Ecuador, these people spread out along the Andes, occupying some coastal regions and exercising a significant influence on Quito.
 Railroad North
Approximately three hours by bus from Quito, the picturesque city of Ibarra holds the train station. There, one may enter to a journey from Ibarra to Primer Paso, in a memorable context. Starting at 8h00 a.m., the route goes from the Andean highlands towards the coast, as the vegetation and climate change gradually. The train goes by the amazing Blanco and Mira rivers, and between them it passes through 18 tunnels. Then it continues through the tropical forests and banana and palmate plantations. It reaches Primer Paso at 10h30 a .m.aprox, which is its final destination until reparations permit the train to enter to San Lorenzo. Every saturday and sunday days.
 Railroad South
The train leaves every saturday and sunday days at 8h00 a.m., from the Quito train Chimbacalle station (Sincholagua and Maldonado Street No. 315) to the "Boliche" Recreational Area in the Cotopaxi National Park. On the way, the magnificent sight of the Andes, parallel to what Humbolt called the "Avenue of Volcanoes", presents a panorama that makes it difficult to decide which side to look. It runs for approximately three hours, allowing a view of the Ecuadorian Andean Range where the snow capped Cotopaxi dominates the scenery.

Cuisine - Ecuadorian Cooking

Ecuador cooking is known for its fabulous exotic fruits, high quality fish and seafood, and the countless varieties of Andean potatoes. Across the country you'll find a broad spectrum of national and regional dishes, including lemon-marinated shrimp, toasted corn, and pastries stuffed with spiced meats. If you' want to be courageous, you can put your culinary bravery to the test with roasted cuy [ guinea pig ] or tronquito [ bull penis soup ].

 Ecuador For The Gourmet Traveler
Popular Foods & National Cuisine [ Ceviche De Camarones, Tortilla De Papa ], Popular Beverages & National Drinks [ Aguardiente ], Best Dining Destinations [ Guayaquil, Quito ]

South American Food & Cooking: Ingredients, techniques and signature recipes from the undiscovered traditional cuisines
Jane Milton, Jenni Fleetwood, Marina Filippelli
This exciting guide presents over 70 recipes capturing the rich, exotic culinary culture of the South American continent which enables readers to explore the ingredients, techniques and signature recipes from the undiscovered traditional cuisines of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, Columbia and Venezuela
Paperback 160 pages (November 2005); Publisher: Southwater; Language: English; ISBN: 1844761797

History of Ecuador

Independence: 24 May 1822 [ from Spain ].

The first phase Ecuador's history began somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 BC with the rise of indigenous societies in what is now Ecuador. These peoples had developed social organizations with their own beliefs, rites, and ceremonies and an economy based primarily on hunting, gathering, and agriculture. Traces of their existence can be found in archaeological sites located all across Ecuador. This era, which can be divided into four periods (Paleo-Indian or Pre-ceramic, Formative, Regional Development, Integration, and Incan), lasted until the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores in the XVI century.

In 1532 the downfall of Tahuantinsuyo began with the imprisonment of Atahualpa. Heavy fighting took place between the Europeans and the Incas, who resisted the conquest. For the Spanish, America represented a land full of riches, taken in the name of the Crown. Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro were the main protagonist of the time and conquered the native people in a bloody manner.

 Centro Historico de Quito
 Ecuador's History - Wikipedia
Pre-Colombian times and colonization, Independence of Ecuador, Ecuador after WW II, Recent times
 History Index - University Kansas
 Museo de la Ciudad Quito - City Museum Quito

Music, Art & Culture, Events & Entertainment

 Culture of Ecuador
The culture of Ecuador is as diverse as the landscape of the country itself. The majority of the Ecuadorian population is mestizo, a mixture of both European and Amerindian ancestry, and much like their ancestry, the national culture is also a blend of these two sources, along with influences from slaves from Africa. 95% of Ecuadorians are Roman Catholic...
In Focus Ecuador: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture 
Wilma Roos, Omer Van Renterghem
Paperback 100 pages (November 2000); Publisher: Latin America Bureau; Language: English; ISBN: 1566563852
 Inca Son - Music & dance of the Andes
Inca Son plays music from the Andes of Peru and all of Latin America. The group performs traditional songs, which the musicians rearrange to create a unique style, as well as original compositions.
La Música de Ecuador  - Mallku De Los Andes (Artist)
To hear a song sample, click on the song titles
Audio CD (August 5, 2003); Label: ANS; ASIN: B0000AKY3X; Catalogue Number: AN013011

Web Portals / Search Engines / Directories

 Ecuador.us
Ecuador.us is an online guide which addresses the needs of Ecuador travelers. Owned and operated by Ahorre Marketing Connecticut, USA.
 EcuadorExplorer.com - lots of info
 Exploring Ecuador
 Galapaguide
Comprehensive list of hotels, travel agents, boats, tours, cruises, and diving possibilities in the Galapagos Islands.
 Ecuador.com
 Ecuador Travel Info
Ecuador-Travel-Guide starts ordering with background, then sights, places to stay, entertainment, getting in and out of there; this way helping the traveler to explore and understand their country better.
 Destination Ecuador


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