048-ecuador

Ecuador

Travel Guide

The Country of Four Worlds

Known for its varied landscape with the Amazon region, the Andes mountains and the many volcanoes, Ecuador offers a rich blend of landscapes, culture, and wildlife. Explore the streets of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its well-preserved colonial architecture. Visit the Amazon rainforest to discover its unique ecosystems and vibrant indigenous cultures. Go horseriding or hiking in the Andes, in stunning national parks like Cotopaxi and Cajas. And of course, the Galápagos Islands provide a chance to see unique wildlife up close.

Editor's Pick

Ecuador’s Last Rodeo

Riding with the cowboys of the Andes

‘Waking up at dawn at Hacienda El Tambo in Ecuador’s Andes, with the mighty Quilindaña volcano watching over the land, occasionally shrouding itself in clouds. Joining the chagras on horseback, to ride into the mountains and round up the hacienda’s cattle. It’s quite a spectacle, to say the least. Hundreds of cows, calves and wild bulls storm down the slopes, surrounded by howling, lasso-wielding chagras. It was an absolute privilege to witness this fading tradition. Small-scale tourism can really make a difference in keeping the chagra culture alive.’

Barbera photo

Barbera Bosma

|Executive Editor-In-Chief

Featured STORIES

Quito-Ecuador-001-3

24 hours in Quito

The gateway to Ecuador

Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, is a hidden gem that has gradually emerged as a popular tourist destination in recent years. Nestled high in the Andes Mountains at an..
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Pearls of Quito

Hacienda Lifestyle

Quito and the surrounding mountains are home to a the finest hacienda’s and colonial era homes. So why not stay in one of these pearls while exploring the city. Relax..

All Ecuador Stories

Rounding up the Bulls of Hacienda El Tambo, Ecuador

Chagras Way

Live the andean cowboy lifestyle

Quito-Ecuador-001-3

24 hours in Quito

The gateway to Ecuador

Rounding up the Bulls of Hacienda El Tambo, Ecuador

Ecuador’s Last Rodeo

Riding with the cowboys of the Andes

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Pearls of Quito

Hacienda Lifestyle

Ecuador Facts

Destination Flag

213-ecuador

Timezone

GMT-5 (Ecuador Time) | Galápagos Islands: GMT-6

Capital

Quito

Languages

Spanish

Currency

United States Dollar (USD)

Country Code

+593

Voltage

120V

Ecuador Info

Did you know?
  • The name Ecuador comes from the Spanish word for equator – ecuador. The country, which straddles the equator, even built a monument to celebrate its location in the middle of the world, about 24 kilometres (15 miles) from the capital Quito in San Antonio de Pichincha.
  • Ecuador is nicknamed the ‘Country of the Four Worlds’, thanks to the unique ecoregions that the country has to offer: the Andes Mountains, the Amazon Rainforest, the Pacific Coast, and the Galapagos Islands.
  • In 2008, Ecuador became the first country to officially recognize that nature has constitutional rights. This was incorporated into the country’s constitution, under Article 71, which states that nature has the right to ‘exist, maintain, preserve and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes of evolution’.
  • The so-called Panama hats actually come from Ecuador. When the hats first reached North American markets, it was through the Panama Canal, hence the misnomer.
  • ‘Cheers!’ is ‘salud!’.
  • Aguardiente, made from fermented sugar cane juice, is Ecuador’s national drink. For a non-alcoholic alternative, try pinol, made from máchica (toasted barley flour) and panela (unrefined sugar) mixed with spices and usually combined with milk.
  • Ecuador is at a high altitude, which can cause altitude sickness (headache, dizziness, nausea). If you start your trip in Quito (2.840 metres/9300 ft), stay put there for a few days to acclimatise before travelling to higher altitudes. Stay hydrated (bottled water is your safest bet) and bring altitude sickness medication, just in case.
  • Make sure to carry cash, paying with cards is still quite uncommon in Ecuador (except in places that specifically cater to tourists). Be aware that bills over 20 USD generally are not accepted. 
  • Ecuador is on the equator, as close to the sun as can be on Earth. Wear sunscreen, even in colder places like the Andes.

Plan Your Trip

8 Days: Chagra Lifestyle

This is the perfect opportunity to experience a unique cultural insight into the Chagra or Andean Cowboy lifestyle. You will enjoy some of the most impressive landscapes of the Central Andes of Ecuador on horseback while riding with authentic Chagras who will share their skills and expertise on handling horses. This adventure gives you the opportunity to reconnect with nature and learn some of the basic skills of an Andean cowboy.

Customized trips from $2.336

Enquire here

WideOyster Journeys

We know where to go. We know the best places to stay. And we know the local partners who turn a trip into something unforgettable. That’s why when we design your journey, it isn’t just a holiday. It’s a story you’ll carry for life.

Our mission is simple: to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity, optimism, enthusiasm, and respect. To connect with cultures, to marvel at breathtaking landscapes, and to embrace the beauty of untamed nature.

So, tell us — what once-in-a-lifetime adventure may we design for you?

Back

Plan Your Trip

8 Days: Chagra Lifestyle

This is the perfect opportunity to experience a unique cultural insight into the Chagra or Andean Cowboy lifestyle. You will enjoy some of the most impressive landscapes of the Central Andes of Ecuador on horseback while riding with authentic Chagras who will share their skills and expertise on handling horses. This adventure gives you the opportunity to reconnect with nature and learn some of the basic skills of an Andean cowboy.

Customized trips from $2.336

Enquire here

WideOyster Journeys

We know where to go. We know the best places to stay. And we know the local partners who turn a trip into something unforgettable. That’s why when we design your journey, it isn’t just a holiday. It’s a story you’ll carry for life.

Our mission is simple: to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity, optimism, enthusiasm, and respect. To connect with cultures, to marvel at breathtaking landscapes, and to embrace the beauty of untamed nature.

So, tell us — what once-in-a-lifetime adventure may we design for you?

Back
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