Beautiful Ecuador – Be Healthy by Tomorrow

On a South American scale, small Ecuador surprises with its diversity as a tourist destination. Self-reliance and an open mind take you to places you’ve only been able to dream of before. According to countryaah, located on the equator’s west coast of South America, Ecuador meets the expectations of the traveler by offering natural attractions with beaches, mountains and waterfalls, historic cities and many different recreational opportunities. The long journey from Finland to Ecuador is worth the effort.

The rugged Andes paint the horizon of towns and villages in the valleys stunning.

Mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands guarantee a varied holiday

In Ecuador you can experience the Amazon, the Andes and the coast, all on the same journey. In addition to the mainland, Ecuador includes the exotic Galapagos Islands. They are located in the Pacific Ocean about a thousand miles from the mainland. The Galapagos Islands are definitely a place worth seeing due to its uniqueness, as the island has numerous species of animals and plants that are not found anywhere else in the world.

In the capital Quito you can see the ruins of Inca times and the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The coastal city of Manta charms tourists with its maritimeity and the inland Baños makes the adrenaline rush, as it is not in vain called the adventure capital of Ecuador.

The Amazon rainforest offers one of the most amazing nature experiences in the world and the Andean mountains with their volcanoes hold their breath, literally. In addition, the tourist also enjoys Cuenca’s old town.

Short for EC by abbreviationfinder, Ecuador is also home to many archeological sites, museums, arts and culture, and fine crafts.

Altitude affects the climate

Ecuador offers a great variety of landscapes, which is why the climate also varies very much within the country, depending on where you are in the country.

High in the mountains, for example in Quito, there is usually a mild, fairly cool air, as Quito is located between the mountains and the heat does not get there very easily. In the Quito area, the temperature rises in summer and the rainy season runs from November to June.

In the rainforest area, for example in Baños, the climate is humid and warm almost all year round. In a coastal area like Guayaquil, the climate is warm all year round. The temperature almost always remains between 20 and 30 degrees and rarely drops below 18 degrees. During the rainy season, from May to November, the temperature stays around 30 degrees almost all the time.

Relatively safe tourist country

As a travel destination, Ecuador is fairly safe, but it is a good idea to exercise general caution and use common sense when moving. Valuables are not recommended with a laptop, and it is not advisable to move outside the city center in the dark, as pickpocketing and robbery may occur, especially in large cities. Bags should be worn on your lap and should be kept an eye on at all times.

When moving around Ecuador, it is a good idea to book toilet paper, as many petrol stations do not have paper in the toilets. If possible, it is also worth carrying handbags with you, as soap is also scarce in public toilets.

Tap water in Ecuador is not worth drinking, and bottled water should be preferred on the way.
It is good to know at least the basics of Spanish, as English is spoken in a few places. As a travel destination, Ecuador is well suited for the independent traveler or a small group. When traveling to Quito and the mountains, it is worth considering the possibility of mountain sickness.

FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN ECUADOR

Colorful houses make the city of Guayaquil special.

Arrived from Finland via machine exchange

There are no direct flights from Finland to Ecuador, but you can easily get to the country with at least one change of aircraft, for example via Madrid. Airfare prices are relatively high, but staying and living in the country is in turn quite cheap. The price of a return ticket is most often in the range of about 1,000 euros and the journey takes about 20-30 hours, depending on the length of the machine changes.

At its cheapest, round-trip plane tickets can be obtained for as much as 500 euros, but then there are more exchanges and, in the worst case, it can take up to 50 hours to travel in one direction.

Ecuador’s main airports are Quiton Mariscal Sucre and Guayaquil’s Simón Bolivar. A Finn does not need a visa to Ecuador if he stays in the country for less than 90 days.

Affordable accommodation all over the country

Accommodation in Ecuador is especially cheap compared to the Finnish price level. For example, in the center of Quito you can get a modern two-storey apartment for 30 euros per night, and in smaller cities the price of accommodation is even cheaper.

In large cities, accommodation options range from hostels to hotels as well as privately run inns.
Not all accommodations have heating and the air conditioning can sometimes feel too intense, so you should also book warm clothes. Especially in mountainous areas, the temperature can drop below ten degrees at night.

Public transport covers the whole country

The bus is a convenient way to get around Ecuador. It offers convenient access to tourist attractions and mobility from one place to another, including the countryside. Ecuador also offers domestic flights and trains, but bus tourism is very popular. A comfortable bus from Guayaquil, for example, takes you to the capital Quito in 9 hours, and the price of the trip is just over ten euros.

A taxi is a cheap way to get around Ecuador, but you should always make sure you have an official taxi license sign on the front window of the taxi. When a local taxi driver sees a foreign customer, the price goes up. Getting around the city by taxi costs five euros. You should encourage the use of Uber, as it will definitely keep the price stable.

Traffic in Ecuador is often chaotic and dangerous, so renting your own car cannot be recommended. Speed limits and traffic rules are hardly followed, so getting used to local traffic takes time. The condition of the roads also varies in places.

TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN ECUADOR

In the Galapagos Islands you can see many species of animals and plants that are not found anywhere else.

Diving into culture in Quito

Quito’s old town, Centro Histórico, charms anyone with its beauty and there you can sense the authentic way of life in Ecuador. One of the absolute highlights of Quito is the Telefériqo cable car, which transports visitors to an altitude of over 4,000 meters and offers stunning views from above the city. Quito also has the center of the world where you can literally jump over the equator.

The new part of Quito, Mariscal Sucre, is like the opposite of the old town. Bar, restaurants and hotels for tourists can be found next door.

Lively and colorful Guayaquil

Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, is a beautiful city and the port there is economically the most important in the country.
In Guayaquil, you can climb the lighthouse at the top of Mount Santa Ana, El Faro, which offers breathtaking views of the city center. For a visit to the lighthouse, you should prepare with sturdy shoes, as you have to climb 444 steps to get there. The landscape is well worth the effort, so the excursion is worth accommodating in the holiday program.

Baños, the gateway to the Amazon

In Baños, you can let go of the inner ferocious head, as the city at the mouth of the Amazon rainforest is a great place to fulfill even the wildest wishes.

You can climb along the waterfall, jump from Benjiliu’u Bridge, go on an inflatable boat in a fast-flowing rapids, with paragliders, and relax in the hot springs that the city is named after. There is plenty to do for a wide variety of visitors.

Marine Manta

Manta is the largest port city in Ecuador. There are several beautiful beaches and due to its big waves, the city has become a popular destination for water activities. On the shores of Manta, there are many local tour operators selling, among other things, diving and boat trips during which you can see whales.

Nature experiences in the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are definitely the jewel of Ecuador. Traveling to the islands is expensive, but the trip is definitely worth the price. The nature of the Galapagos is completely unique and the tourist can see up close to many species not found elsewhere.

For the Galapagos, there is usually an excursion where you spend the night either on a ship or on the mainland and tour the islands during the day. The Galapagos can be flown from Quito and Guayaqil.

Charming Cuenca

Cuenca is like Quito’s little sister and full of magnificent old colonialist buildings and, on the narrow streets, it’s easy to walk around admiring the city. Cuenca also has many good restaurants and some museums and churches. The ruins of Ingapirca are also nearby.

A boat trip in the Amazon rainforest is an experience that can be experienced in Ecuador.