As I am now in my last day in Ecuador, I always take the last day to review the trip, and decide whether I need to come back. Ecuador is a definite must come back to country. I feel like I saw so little of it, and there is so much to see and do- unfortunately, it was too little time. Next time will definitely do it differently, by choosing one particular area, arrive, check into a Spanish school/volunteer project and spend at least a week learning spanish and doing some volunteer work. Then off to explore.
First- I just want to let you know how impressed I am with Rough Guides travel book. Having been a Lonely Planet fan for many years, it was very hard to make the adjustment to Rough Guides. Rough Guides seems to have more information on ecotourism, community involvement and the indigenous people than Lonely Planet. It could be that the Rough Guides is a newer edition (2007) than Lonely Planet (2006), or maybe their focus is more along the lines of ethno-tourism. Rough Guides has a section on travel and climate change. They recommend you visit, www.climatecare.org pr www.carbonneutral.com to allow you to make up for some of the greenhouse gases that you use when traveling. Rough Guides and Lonely Planet support a carbon offset scheme run by climatecare.org. For more information go to www.roughguides.com/climatechange
10 Top Reasons to Visit Ecuador
1.) I am impressed with the safety and cleanliness of Ecuador. Never once, even in bad areas did I feel unsafe. Ecologically speaking, i think that Ecuador is far ahead of Mexico, Venezuela and Peru, Java, Lombok, the only other countries I have visited in the last 3 years.
2.) There are 32 national protected areas in Ecuador. (17% of the country) in addition to Private Reserves, which are growing. These Reserves are set up for conservation, scientific reseach, or eco tourism.
3.) Never have I visited a less ´hustle-free´country. Normally in other countries, you are surrounded by street hustlers, children and beggars, with hands out and products to sell. In Mexico, I usually walk around with change, to give to the poor, but here, there is little need.
4.) Opportunites for Eco, Ethno Tourism. Having looked into volunteering before, and it seemed to be costly and a hassle and what if you didn´like the area? Here, you still have to book a little in advance, but there are so many opportunities, just go to any city and you can make a decision from that city. Cost is from $200 – $300.
5.) Not alot of Tourists- with some exceptions, Ecuador is off the usual beaten path, most people go to Galapagos Islands and Quito.
6.) Lots to do and see- Beaches to Rainforests, Amazon Jungle, Active Volcanos, Hiking, Mountain Climbing, River Rafting, Horseback Riding, Birding, Animals, Ruins, Shopping, Community Involvement and more. Transportation is easy, buses seem to run every hour to anyplace you want to go, and the buses are decent and comfortable.
7.) People- I love the whole ´Latino¨culture, the music, the colors, the hardworking people. the handicrafts, the markets, the food, the beer, the atomsphere, just about everything. People greet you with a smile and a buenas dias, and que pais? (good day and what country)
8.) Costs less- For less than a week in Hawaii, you can come to Ecuador for 2 weeks. Depending on where you live, but a friend of mine got a flight from Los Angeles to Guayaquil for $575.00 and you can definitely live on $20.00 a day here. (less if you are couchsurfing and buying local food at the markets)
9.) Music and Dancing- Everybody dances here. If you are a woman who is tired of WBS (white boy syndrome- men who will not dance unless they have alot to drink) come south. Everybody dances, by themselves, with everybody else- it doesn´t make any difference, women dance with women, men dance with men, people dance by themselves. Music is everywhere!
10.) It expands your Life- Getting into another culture and seeing how other people live, makes one appreciate what they have at home. There is nothing like coming home, taking a nice hot shower, being able to drink out of a tap, having a washing machine and readily available goods, things we take for granted.
That was an amazing post, and it earned you a new RSS subscriber. Keep up the good work!
Could say exactly the same word than Cesar, but I will add it makes me eager to pack!
Because of ur comments, I would totally want to go to Equador and, expirience it! It sounds fun.
CHAUPI WASI
Categoría: Guest House
Mitad del Mundo, San Antonio de Pichincha 13 de junio 3245 y Catequilla – Quito, Ecuador
CAHUPI WASI is a guest house located in the real middle of the world, in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, South America, CAHUPI WASI is located near to everything but not the noise and pollution of the city, Here you can enjoy a security and tranquility that you will not found in other places. We offer a beautiful house in a safe neighborhood, with only three rooms to offer more privacy.
The convenience of staying at CAHUPI WASI is the accessibility to tons of tourist activities and information. It is really in the Middle of the World (San Antonio de Pichincha), just 2 blocks to “La Parada” Local Bus Stop, near to: dance classes, handicrafts and indigenous markets, post office, hospital, pharmacy and much more. Five squares to Mitad del Mundo Center and museums. Just in few minutes to Pululahua Botanical reserve, Rumicucho Arqueolgical Center, Condado Shopping, Liga´s Stadium and just 30 minutes to Quito´s downtown.
CAHUPI WASI offers a three clean and cheerful rooms along with great communal facilities. Three rooms share a big and complete bath. Hot water available 24 hours a day.
Sit back and relax in the communal lounge by watching some international TV or by visiting with other guests around the beautiful fireplace in the garden. Our unique garden gives you the chance to relax and take pure air, enjoy with a lot of kinds of hummingbirds that visit our home.
You will have great Ecuadorian meals cooked for you every day, and you can choose between three delicious breakfast choices: ECUADORIAN, FRUIT SALAD, AND CONTINENTAL , Ecuadorian and international food in our “Cafeteria” is cheap and delicious.
Most importantly, our prices are extremely reasonable. We guarantee that your stay in the real “Middle of the world” for pleasure, business or study, will be very pleasant!
To make your stay enjoyable, here are some services we provide:
Room Service: We´ll provide you everything to enjoy your stay. Your room cleaned and your laundry done, breakfast included in the price. Included in the price is the use of a fully equipped kitchen if you need. If you need to check your e-mail, we provide you internet service.
Travel Planning: Tours: We have contact with many tour operators and can help you find the tour (city tours or circuits within Ecuador) that will fit both your needs and your budget.
Travel Guide: We have a travel guide with flight information, timetables and itineraries for most of Latin American destinations.
Cable TV: We offer a great selection of channels in cable TV, and an Ecuadorian video collection of movies and tourist videos.
Medical Attention: if you ever need a doctor we call our familiar one.
Additional: Free airport pick-up.
Normally we go out on tour on Saturday the Otavalo market, Sunday Cotopaxi Volcano, All time to the Middle of the World.
See you soon
Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher!
It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
this post is very usefull thx!
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
Before coming to this lovable country. I was studying on my own the I searched on internet for Online lessons and I took Online Spanish lessons. It really helped me to pick up words and conversations since I arrived to the airport. Contact them to their skype immersion-ecuador. She has a nice program. By the way she offers home staying as well.
I also did a home stay in Peru and loved it. Thanks for the recommendation!