Ecuador > Ecuador Experience

Advantages: Naturally wonderful
Disadvantages: But not necessarily so wonderful to visit

The Galápagos Islands are famously wonderful - in the literal sense of being full of wonders. Their location is unique and so, in consequence, is much of their wildlife. In the continuing throes of creation by a volcanic hotspot far out in the Pacific Ocean, they provide a natural laboratory for the study of how life first gains a foothold, and then adapts to survive, on new terrain. Moreover, since most of their area has been declared a national ...
...to conserve their extraordinary character. Whether this makes them wonderful to visit is a different question, the answer depending on what you look for in your travels. * Arrival * The airport on Baltra Island at which most visitors arrive is not part of the national park, and is certainly not scenic. A former military airstrip, its runway seems well-camouflaged in a landscape of scrub and rocky rubble. The terminal building is basic and strictly ... Read review

Advantages: Stunning mountains surrounding a bustling and colourful city
Disadvantages: The smog

...I became really attached to Quito during my seven weeks there. It's a lively, very colourful city in a stunning setting - I think the thing I loved the most about Quito was being able to look up, walking anywhere west in the city, and see the most amazing jagged green mountain range towering up past the outskirts. It was wonderful. Ecuador's capital is maybe not quite as traditional as Bolivia's, or nearly as Westernized as Peru's, but it creates ...
...fact that most people split Quito up into two halves, new and old, when describing the city. The old city is beautiful, full of narrow winding streets, grand old colonial buildings, little local shops and cafes, wide-open plazas, impressive-looking theatres, and it's absolutely littered with churches. It's a lovely place to wander round for a day or two. The new city extends to the north of the old city, and the bit that most tourists are concerned ... Read review

Advantages: Come armed with dollars and haggling skills!
Disadvantages: You wont want to leave, until you are broke!

I went to Otavalo on a trip to Ecuador whilst at uni, and it was one of the best markets I have been to.It is rated one the premier markets in South America. As a keen shopper and bargain hunter, i had to go!! Otavalo is north of Quito city, and takes about 2 hours. I remember leaving Quito city at 4am in the dark to get there and start the market before it got too hot and to see the beginning of the animal market. The best day to go to the market ...
...are many other attractions in Otavalo which deserve recognition. After a spot of lunch, we very nearly had Guinea Pig, yes Guinea Pig- cuyes in Quechan, but our guide knew a better place to sample this Incan delicacy! Depending on who you are buying for, i would take no more than $100. Keep money in a body contact money belt and don't flash your cash. You'll leave yourself open to muggers and pickpockets. They do exist, one of my chums fell foul ... Read review

Advantages: Once in a lifetime photo opportunities of unique wildlife were the subjects actually stay still!
Disadvantages: Not a cheap trip

My Favourite Wildlife on the Galapagos Islands. I decided I would write about the wildlife on these Islands as the wildlife on these islands is like nothing else to be found in the world. Blue Footed Booby. We first encountered these birds at Punta Suarez on Espanola where there is quite a colony of them. The name Booby comes from the Spanish term “bobo” which means stupid fellow. They certainly look real silly when they dance during courtship ...
...some of the most amazing wildlife we saw. There were birds and other smaller creatures we saw but I cant mention them all. I hope that I haven’t bored you but I feel this wildlife is so unique that it was worthy of a review all to itself. Please note that I have now changed the photos from my review “A trip of a lifetime” to this review and put photos of the scenery on that review. Thank you for reading. If you would like to see this kind of wildlife ... Read review

Advantages: Incredibly diverse, Fun, Loads to do and see.
Disadvantages: Flights are a little expensive

This is my first review....please be gentle with me! How am I qualified to review Ecuador? I spent over 4 fantastic months there in 2004 travelling and doing voluntary work and 1 month there in March/April 2005 when I got married there and now have a beautiful Ecuadorian wife! OK, maybe that makes me a little biased, but I can't wait to go back there for a month in Jan 2006...there is so much to see and do. Obviously I can't review every little ...
...I'l try and cover the parts that maybe concern first time travellers to Ecuador and a little more. Ecuador was my first taste of South America and it has given me the desire to know more and more. In such a tiny country there is so much to see and experience that in all honesty 6 months would not be enough to do everything and really experience the culture. I suppose the general culture could be described as slightly crazy, but in a friendly way. ... Read review