Learn & Travel Ecuador

Places in Ecuador to visit and enjoy:

MITAD DEL MUNDO (EQUATOR)

The Equator lies to the north of Quito. A visit to Ecuador without visiting this World famous place would be incomplete. At latitude 0-0'-0', you can stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere, and one foot in the southern hemisphere. Inside the monument at the location, there is an Ethnographic museum which looks at the different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Climb to the top of the middle of the world, touch the globe, and admire the fascinating scenery of the surrounding area.

TELEFERICO (GONDOLA)

Quito's gondola ride is an unforgettable experience. There are 18 six passenger gondolas which make the special and exciting trip from the foothills of Pichincha, 2950 meters above sea level, to a point close to the top of the mountain, at more than 4000 meters above sea level. The trip takes eight minutes, and offers a breathtaking view of Quito and its surrounding valleys and snow-covered peaks in a natural and ecological environment.

OTAVALO

This city is home of the largest indigenous market in South America. It is Ecuador's most famous artisan market, and one of the most important tourist destinations in the country. You can find everything from wool ponchos and wall hangings to table cloths, bags, and Panama Hats. The city has a rich history, and is a place where artisan traditions successfully continue to this day.

PEGUCHE WATERFALL

This is a beautiful waterfall, about 20 meters high, which is located 3 km from Otavalo. Peguche is an otherworldly place, and is one of the biggest tourist attractions close to Otavalo due to its uniqueness. Its waters come from San Pablo Lake and, over time, have created a canyon that representatively displays the biodiversity of the inter-Andean valleys.

SAN PABLO LAKE

This volcanic lake covers approximately 1.8 km. A lava flow has blocked the natural drainage of the valley on the north side of the lake, giving it a concave shape that has remained partially intact until now. It is located 5 km from Otavalo. Hundreds of people swim across the lake every year in an annual race, which is 1.8 km long from side to side. This beautiful lake is in the foothills of Mt. Imbabura, and is surrounded by small indigenous communities. Windsurfing is very popular here.

COTACACHI

A small town located 10 minutes from Otavalo, Cotacachi is the home of high-quality leather artisan products, such as wallets, backpacks, jackets, gloves, belts, etc. Close to Cotacachi is the Cuicocha Lake, which is in the foothills of the Cotacachi volcano (4,944 mt.) in the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. The lake is in an ancient crater of the volcano, has a diameter of 3 km, and is approximately 180 meters deep. At its center, you can see volcanic gases escaping.There are two islands in the middle of the lake, which are covered in exotic vegetation with more than 400 species that have developed on top of the volcanic lava. There are boats on the lake that can be hired for tours.

IBARRA

This city is known as the �White City�. It is the capital of the Province of Imbabura. Its leather and wood artisan work is famous around the country, and you can enjoy the city's renowned blackberry syrup and homemade ice cream.

PAPALLACTA

This small town is known for its natural hot springs. From here, you can head out on excursions, hikes, horseback rides, sport fishing, etc. It is the perfect place for those who enjoy nature, adventure, and relaxing.

BANOS

Banos de Agua Santa is located in the province of Tungurahua, 180 km from Quito in a valley that also boasts numerous waterfalls and hot springs beside the Tungurahua volcano (5,016 mt). Banos offers hot spring pools, horseback tours, rafting, mountain climbing, canyoning, swing jumping, bike trips, etc.

MINDO

Mindo is a small and tranquil town 70 km west of Quito. It is located in a large subtropical valley, and is practically underneath the mouth of the Guagua Pichincha volcano crater. Houses in the town are made of Gadua bamboo, chonta, and straw in a very attractive way. The town has a stunning Orchid and Butterfly Garden that cannot be passed up on. The town relies completely on Ecotourism.There are more than 500 species of birds in the area, including toucans, macaws, owls, wild ducks, quetzals, blackbirds, hummingbirds, and orioles, among others. With luck, you can see wild mammals such as porcupines, be-speckled bears, or pumas. There are different ecological hikes that you can take around Mindo, where you will come across spectacular waterfalls, mountains, and fishing areas. The whole family can float down the river in tubes, although some areas on the river are more challenging than others.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The Galapagos archipelago was declared a Natural Heritage Site for Humanity in 1978, and has unique flora and fauna.It is located nearly 1000 km from the coast of Ecuador, and consists of 13 large islands, 6 small islands, and more than 40 volcanic islets.Giant turtles and land and sea iguanas, along with lava lizards, are among the most well-known reptiles in the world. The reptiles on the Galapagos, as well as half of the bird species, 32% of the plants, 25% of the fish, and a significant number of invertebrates are endemic to the islands, which makes the Galapagos one of the few remaining natural paradises that we can still enjoy on our planet.There are more than 13 different species of finches, penguins, cormorants, boobies, falcons, sparrows, albatrosses, and flamingoes, among others, which are a some of the species that have made the Galapagos their home. Sea lions and dolphins are part of the Islands' attractions. The abundant land and sea fauna attracts ecological tourism to the Ecuadorian Galapagos Islands.You can explore the archipelago on foot or on boats, swim with the sea creatures that inhabit the waters around it, from sea lions to turtles, walk beside finches, flamingos and iguanas along Darwin's Trail, and admire the Sierra Negra volcano on the Isabela Island. It is an unforgettable adventure that you cannot miss.