Interesting places in Ecuador

There are many places in Ecuador that you may want to include in your itinerary when you visit. I started with descriptions of the largest cities first. While I wouldn’t want to live in these metropolises, they are fun to visit and offer plenty of excitement and diversions.

Quito is the capital of Ecuador and will most likely be your first stop if you arrive by plane. It’s a long and narrow city, precariously clinging to the steep cliffs and utilizing every suitable piece of land available for expansion. One of the great places to visit in Quito is Calle La Ronda. This is a street in historical Quito that has been completely restored.

is Quito’s rival to the south, a hot, languid city that has been refurbished and re-designed to make it a destination well worth visiting.

is the colonial jewel of Ecuador, a city of art and artisans, music, culture and fine architecture.

is north of Quito, a small town known for its leather craftsmanship and the home of Ecuador’s participatory democracy. It’s the music capital of the country and one of those places in Ecuador that expats find most appealing.

is a tiny town known the world over as the Valley of Longevity. It’s 4 hours from Cuenca and an hour from Loja. Locals reportedly live past the century mark. The sleepy town has become a mecca for forward-thinking expats.

, the huge indigenous market town, bustles with commercial life and creativity all week long. Saturday is the big market day, when you can find indigenous crafts, textiles, art, paintings and souvenirs and plenty of good street food. Go early for best selection or later for better bargaining power.

is a small town up in the mountains, a great place in Ecuador for enjoying a soak in the hot springs or thrilling to the antics of Tungurahua, an active volcano.

Interesting Destinations near Ibarra

is between Ibarra and Cotacachi on the Pan American highway. Although there is nothing particularly remarkable about this town for its textiles and clothing industry, the New Year’s Parade is a startling expose (literally) as men dress up in skimpy women's costumes and strut their stuff. Not many places in Ecuador offer you such a raunchy good time.

- a few kilometers south of Ibarra is a small village with plenty of historical interest. It is the birthplace of Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor, and the site of several Inca ruins and a museum/temple of the sun to Atahualpa.

- a small town whose major artisan streets run parallel and uphill to a central square. You’d swear every shop in town belongs to a woodcarver. The woodworkers carve everything from inexpensive wood trinkets to exquisite sculptures and religious art.

is the name of a hot springs area about 30 minutes from Ibarra. The route takes you through several picturesque villages, past an old hacienda and ends at several spas where you can soak in the healing waters. About an hour from Cotacachi, it’s a favorite hangout for Gary and me.

is a few kilometers from Ibarra. There is a race track around the lake, as well as restaurants and hostels. It’s a pleasant place to spend the day.

is a small village with artisans who specialize in hand-woven textiles and musical instruments. Stay at the charming adobe hostel Casa Sol and visit the nearby waterfall, where you can picnic, hike and laze away the day in a pastoral, unspoiled natural setting.

Ecuador Beaches

Ecuador beaches in the north of the country include , Tonsupa and Same, up near the Colombian border. These destinations have fine beaches and are tranquil during the week but packed full of partying Ecuadorians on weekends and holidays.

Ecuador beaches down south are , one of the best places in Ecuador from which to reach, an island off the coast which is called the. Also, the heading north to , Montañita and Olon, easily reachable from either Guayaquil or Manta.

is a popular surfing beach and is one of the top places in Ecuador where the wealthy of Guayaquil congregate for fun in the sun and sand. There you’ll find their large beach and vacation homes.

Central beaches are Perdanales, south to Manta, one of the favorite beach destinations in Ecuador. This area includes the beaches at, and .

The are in a category by themselves. These rare and unique islands are home to some of the world’s most unusual animal and bird species.