Llanganates National Park is a protected area part of the Tungurahua and Napo in Ecuador. This park has stunning lakes, rivers, mountains, and cloud forests. Llanganates means “beautiful hill”. The Llanganates Mountains Range also part of the park holds the myth of a hidden treasure. Legend has it that in ancient times general Rumiñahui ordered ... Read more
Cajas National Park is located about 30 km west from Cuenca. Due to the altitude - 3,156 to 4,450 meters above sea level - it is really chilly in the park. It is characterized by páramo flora and fauna plus features over 230 glacial lakes and lagoons.
Rio Malo waterfall is a waterfall located in the Napo province, in the Amazon Region of Ecuador. It is part of The Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. This waterfall has a fall of 164 ft. (50 m.) high. Rio Malo means “bad river”, also known as “Cascada Magica” in Spanish. This means “Magic Waterfall.” Rio Malo waterfall has ... Read more
Ecuador is a birdwatcher’s paradise. It offers some of the best bird-watching opportunities in all of South America, with over 1600 species in four distinct geographic regions. Here’s a guide to the best bird-watching spots in Ecuador.
Achupallas is part of the Alausí canton, in the province of Chimborazo, Ecuador. Achupallas is a peaceful city famous for the Inca trail. The trail crosses the Tres Cruces sector, as well as the Culebrillas lagoon. The final destination is the ruins of Ingapirca in Cañar. During the time of the Incas, the Achupallas sector … Read more
Rio Malo waterfall is a waterfall located in the Napo province, in the Amazon Region of Ecuador. It is part of The Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. This waterfall has a fall of 164 ft. (50 m.) high. Rio Malo means “bad river”, also known as “Cascada Magica” in Spanish. This means “Magic Waterfall.” Rio Malo waterfall has … Read more
Llanganates National Park is a protected area part of the Tungurahua and Napo in Ecuador. This park has stunning lakes, rivers, mountains, and cloud forests. Llanganates means “beautiful hill”. The Llanganates Mountains Range also part of the park holds the myth of a hidden treasure. Legend has it that in ancient times general Rumiñahui ordered … Read more
Cerro Blanco Forest is a tropical dry forest reserve in the Guayas province, Ecuador. It is located 20 minutes from the city of Guayaquil. Cerro Blanco supports more than 500 vascular plant species, one of the highlights is seeing the majestic ceibo trees up-close. Besides the ceibo, Cerro Blanco Forest is a birdwatcher’s paradise home … Read more
Machalilla National Park is one of the largest protected areas located in Manabi, Ecuador. The park has many islands and beautiful beaches to enjoy, from June to September, humpback whales arrive off the coast of the park to mate, especially near Puerto López.
Yacuri National Park is a protected area. Located southeast of Ecuador, on the border with Peru, between the provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe. The park protects moorland, cloud forests, and dry scrub. The reserve has over 46 high-altitude lakes. Visitors usually take excursions to the Black Lagoon, the Yacurí Lagoon, the Ducks’ Lagoon, or … Read more
Antisana is an impressive and beautiful double cone volcano. The Antisana volcano is located inside the Antisana Ecological Reserve, between the provinces of Napo and Pichincha. This is about 31 mi. (50 km.) Southeast of Quito. Antisana has an altitude of 18,870 ft (5,753 m) above sea level. Indeed, the Antisana volcano is the fourth … Read more
The Galápagos Marine Reserve surrounds the Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 km (600 mi) off Ecuador’s coast. The Galápagos Marine Reserve covers 133,000 square kilometers (51,352 square miles). Indeed, it is one of the largest and most biologically diverse marine protected areas in the world. The reserve was created in 1998. The … Read more
Genovesa Island is a shield volcano and the most northeastern of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. It has a horseshoe shape, forming the Darwin Bay. Genovesa is also known as “Tower Island” and as “Birds’ Island”. In fact, it is a paradise for birdwatchers with red-footed boobies, head hooligans, mockingbirds, lava gulls, pigeons, and nazca finches … Read more
El Angel Ecological Reserve is a unique area in the Carchi province of Ecuador. In the border with Colombia. The closest city is Tulcan. About 3 hours from Quito. This reserve protects the ancient Polylepis forest — It is worth visiting — El Angel Ecological Reserve has an altitude between 10,499 to 13,780 ft. (3,200 to 4,200 m.) The … Read more
Yunguilla Valley is a warm valley. It is full of fruit trees as mangoes, oranges, bananas, avocados, and lemons. Located 14 mi. (22km.) South West of Cuenca, in the province of Azuay, Ecuador. At its highest point, Yunguilla Valley is 1,500 ft. (457 mt.) lower than Cuenca. The place is one and a half hours … Read more
San Rafael waterfall, in the Coca River, is one of the largest waterfalls in the eastern part of Ecuador. This waterfall has a fall of more than 492 ft. (150 m.). Indeed, San Rafael is a spectacular waterfall, worth the visit. The entry to the San Rafael waterfall is in the limit of Napo and Succumbios, … Read more
Cajas National Park is located about 30 km west from Cuenca. Due to the altitude – 3,156 to 4,450 meters above sea level – it is really chilly in the park. It is characterized by páramo flora and fauna plus features over 230 glacial lakes and lagoons.
Papallacta is a small town located in the Napo province, 20 miles west from Quito. Nestled between the Cayambe and the Antisana volcanoes. The town has an elevation of 10,800 ft. (3,300 mt.) Things to do include going to the Papallacta lake and the Termas Papallacta (hot springs). The subterranean activity of the Antisana volcano heats … Read more
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a protected area located in the Sucumbíos and Orellana provinces. It provides home and habitat for countless of plant, animal, and more than 515 species of birds.
Yasuni National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. It homes many species of mammals including pink river dolphins. As well as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve contains 752,235 acres (304418 hectares) of land. It extends from Imbabura – in the Ecuadorian Andes mountains to the western edge of the rainforest in the Esmeraldas. The reserve is only 87 miles (140 km) from Quito. Inside, there are three volcanoes: Yanahurco, Cotacachi, and Cuicocha. But, top attraction is the Cuicocha Lagoon. … Read more
San Pablo a lake formed by the water discharged by the waterfall Peguche. Located right at the foot of Imbabura volcano. 2.5 mi. (4 km.) west of Otavalo, Ecuador. During the Yamor festival, communities gather to celebrate an open water swimming event. Around the San Pablo lake, there are indigenous villages, rushes, and green fields. Recreational activities include hiking, … Read more
Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve is located two hours north of Quito, Ecuador. Its main feature is the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest. Mindo-Nambillo biodiversity allows more than 350 bird species to live in this area. Certainly, Mindo Cloud Forest is the perfect place for bird watching. For instance, visitors can see hummingbirds, cock-of-the-rocks, barbet toucans, golden-headed quetzals, and … Read more
Isla de la Plata (“Silver Island”) is an island full of natural wildlife, located 25 mi (40 km) offshore. Isla de la Plata is part of Machalilla National Park and part of the Manabi Province, Ecuador. This natural reserve is home to many animals some of which migrate from Galapagos Islands, it includes blue-footed boodies, albatrosses, frigate birds, … Read more
Vilcabamba is a peaceful town, surrounded by mountains, located 28 mi (45 km) from the city of Loja, Ecuador. It offers stunning panoramic views. Vilcabamba is a popular destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Most people gather in the center of town, around the main square. The climate of Vilcabamba is subtropical. The rainy season … Read more
Galápagos National Park is Ecuador’s first national park. Also, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Galápagos Islands are a collection of rocky and volcanic lands. It has pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. They are a protected part of the Galápagos National Park. About 97% of the entire area is part of the National Park system. … Read more
Sangay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, located in the Morona Santiago, Chimborazo and Tungurahua provinces, Ecuador. The Sangay National Park includes three volcanoes: Tungurahua (16,457 ft – 5,016 m), Sangay (17,159 ft – 5,230 m), and El Altar (17,451 ft – 5,319 m). Sangay and Tungurahua are active volcanoes. However, El Altar is an … Read more
Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve is a calm and isolated volcanic crater. This protected area is inside the Pululahua volcano. It is rich with a great diversity of fauna and flora. “Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua” in Spanish. Located 11 mi (17 km) north of Quito, Ecuador, in the northwestern part of the Pomasqui Valley. The Reserve has an … Read more
Chimborazo Fauna Reserve is located in the provinces of Chimborazo, Tungurahua, and Bolivar in the Ecuadorian Andes. The reserve is a protected area that guards a wide variety of vegetation and animals. Thus, it is common to see vicuñas, llamas, guanacos, rabbits, deer, wolves, and birds. The main attraction is the Chimborazo volcano — Ecuador’s highest volcano. … Read more
Puerto López is a small fishing village, located in the center of the Machalilla National Park, in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. Puerto López is located in a wide bay surrounded by green hills. It is also the base to explore the beach of Los Frailes, considered the most beautiful stretch of the coast of … Read more
