4 Unique Places to Visit in Ecuador

Ecuador has more biodiversity per square mile than almost any other country in the world. Covering less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, Ecuador nevertheless ranks as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, home to 11% of all land vertebrates. One of the most interesting factors of this small country is that it is distinctly divided into four regions: The Amazon, the Andes, the Coast, and the Galapagos. The Amazon. The Ecuadorian Amazon is a dense and diverse place, home to most of the country’s diverse flora and fauna. Called the Oriente, the jungle offers opportunities to search for tropical animals through dense vegetation. The northern Oriente tends to be more developed (for a jungle) while the southern Oriente is much more isolated. This is where native tribes still live largely uninvolved with the modern world. Unlike its southern neighbor country Peru, much of the riches from Ecuador’s Amazon make it out of the jungle and into the cities. Ecuador’s small landmass and location of some of its main cities in the Andes instead of along the coast (like Peru’s Lima) allows fairly easy transportation of fruits and other goods. This means you can taste delicious jungle fruits and drinks in Ecuador even if you never make it to the jungle. The Andes. The Andean Mountain Range runs right down the middle of Ecuador, from its northern border with Colombia to its southern border with Peru. It is home to some of the country’s loveliest cities, such as Quito (north), Banos (central), Cuenca (south). It is also home to an impressive amount of volcanoes, many of which are still active. The Andean culture in Ecuador is a mixture of indigenous cultures, Afro-Ecuadorian communities, and those of Spanish descent. Due to much mixing, most Ecuadorians today are considered mestizo, which is a mix of Spanish and indigenous descent. The Coast. Ecuador coast can be divided into northern and southern regions. The north is home to the country’s largest Afro-Ecuadorian population as well as mangrove forests lining the shore. The south tends to be more popular on the international travelers’ circuit, as it offers several great beaches and surf spots. It is also where the country’s largest city, Guayaquil, is located. This industrial city is one of two main launching points for trip to the Galapagos. The Galapagos. By far the most famous part of Ecuador is the Galapagos Islands, located nearly 300 miles offshore. A collection of several islands and islets of a diverse geological nature, the Galapagos are the driving force of tourism to Ecuador. Their unique wildlife includes creatures such as the prehistorically large Galapagos tortoises, the brightly-colored land iguanas, and floppy-footed blue-footed boobies. The islands attract travelers interested in photography, bird watching, snorkeling, and scuba driving.