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Ecuador is a state on the Pacific coast of South America, located in the equatorial zone of the Andes. In addition to the mainland, the Galapagos Islands lie 1,000 km west of the country's coastline. The exotic equatorial Ecuador can offer recreation for all tastes: there is a very busy "sightseeing", and luxurious beaches, and a fascinating variety of diving.
Cities and regions
The capital is Quito. Also popular with tourists are Ecuador's national parks and the city of Cuenca.
Entertainments and sights of Ecuador
Ecuador has a variety of attractions which include colonial, natural and ethnographic attractions.
Guayaquil, the capital of the province of Guayas, is one of the largest and most densely populated cities in Ecuador. It is a modern city, but a small colonial part of the old Guayaquil - the Las Peñas area with its wooden buildings and narrow cobbled streets - has been preserved. The most famous attractions are the Centenario Square, the Cathedral, the Centro de Artes Theatre and the Cerro Blanco Natural Park. Also of interest are the Anthropological Museum, the Nahim Issias Museum and the Municipal Museum. The recently completed waterfront promenade with excellent parks, shopping and entertainment venues, and small, charming restaurants can also be added to the town's attractions. Close to Guayaquil are the Botanical Gardens, which present about 350 species of plants, 73 species of birds and 60 species of butterflies. The ruins of the ancient settlements of the Valdivia, Machalilla, Chorrera, Guangala and Manteña Indians can also be found in the surroundings of the city.
Salinas is one of the best beach resorts in Ecuador, located on the Pacific coast, 2.5 hours drive from Guayaquil (144 km). The best time to visit the resort is from January to April, when the weather is sunny and dry. The main beach in Salinas has a very well-developed infrastructure with almost all water sports on offer. This beach gradually morphs into the Cipipe beach in the residential and commercial zone of the town. Here, the waves are stronger and more suitable for body-boarding and there is also a yacht club. The area around Salinas offers a variety of eco-excursions: cocoa plantations, local farms, and thermal mud baths (the San Vicente baths are a 25-minute drive from the resort).
Otavalo or the "city of weavers" is a small town located between Quito and the Colombian border. It is where the most famous and wealthiest Indian market of woolen goods and souvenirs in Ecuador is located. The locals inherited from the Indians of Cara the secrets of making cloth using dyes to achieve any shade of colour. On the way to Otavalo, tourists often visit the town of Calderon, famous for its unique figures made of bread dough, and Cayambe, where delicious biscuits are made.
Ecuador is the perfect place for adventure sports enthusiasts. It offers excellent conditions for mountaineering and hiking, kayaking and diving, surfing and paragliding. For the more exotic amongst adventurers, tours to the heart of the Amazon tributaries in traditional boats and motorboats are available.
7 things to do in Ecuador
Visit the Sunday Art Market in Quito's El Ejido Park.
Check out the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) cultural and entertainment complex, which is a 15-minute drive north of Quito.
Take a ride on the Ibarro - San Lorenzo railway in an unusual chassis train.
Pick up local produce and exotic goods at the world-famous Saturday market in Otavalo's Plaza de Panchos.
Scuba dive at La Corona del Diablo in the Galapagos.
Go whale-watching in the dilapidated port of Puerto Lopez (best between June and September).
In the last decade of September, check out the annual World Banana Fair in Machala, the "banana capital of the world".
Climbing and trekking
The most popular sites for challenging climbs are in Kotopahi National Park (Kotopahi Volcano, 5897m) and Chimborazo Volcano (6310m). There are plenty of slopes for easier routes in Banos. The Las Cajas Nature Reserve has excellent hiking trails. And jungle treks, which have always been among the most extreme adventures, usually start from Misahuali, Coca, Baños, Dureno, Tena and Quito.
Events in Ecuador
The country's main holiday is Ecuador's Independence Day, which is celebrated with great fanfare throughout the country. Each city celebrates its own Independence Day: Quito on the 6th of December, Guayaquil on the 9th of October and Cuenca on the 11th of April. Many cities also celebrate their own city day - the founding day of Quito in December represents a big popular celebration with festivals, fairs and bullfights.
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