The Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Ecuador

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by: catheriiii
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Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2011 Time: 9:12 AM
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Ecuador is a charming destination for all tourists, who love pure nature, historical sites, stunning beaches, wildlife, adventure and water sports. At their disposal are numerous charming hotels in Ecuador, which provide premium quality service and also rather great rates.

There are numerous must see things in Ecuador, so as a way to help you to plan your vacation without missing several of them, here is a listing of the most famous tourist attractions in Ecuador.

1.Quito- Ecuador’s capital (and second-largest) city has a setting of incredible natural splendor, overshadowed by the volcano Pichincha with its twin peaks of Ruco and Guagua. There you can find some of the most wonderful Ecuador hotels. Quito used to be a significant Inca city that was destroyed shortly before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. Despite the fact that no Inca traces remain, the city has preserved a lot of its Spanish colonial character, the cathedral in the Plaza de la Independencia (the oldest church in South America) and the many old churches and monasteries being among the most notable instances. Most of Quito’s colonial churches are located in the Old Town, places of which have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

2.The Andean Highlands- The Pan-American Highway traverses the country from north to south, a spectacular route which passes through each of the principal cities of the Andean Highlands. There are a variety of beautiful cities there like Tulcán, Chota, and also the valley of Otavalo. South of Quito, the region of Latacunga and Ambato has a lot fine scenery, marked by an avenue of volcanoes. Two active ones are located within the Parque Nacional Sangay, a national park of incredible magnificence which has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The park is characterized by various landscapes, ranging from rain forests to glaciers, along with various indigenous animal species, such as the mountain tapir along with the Andean condor.

3.Guayaquil- Ecuador’s biggest city, Guayaquil is also the chief port and commercial center. A single day for sure won’t be enough to take a look at all its attractions therefore you can book a hotel in Ecuador and have plenty of fun. An excellent starting point for sightseeing could be the Rotonda, the city’s most historic landmark, which faces the attractive garden promenade of Paseo de las Colonias. Across the malecón are the Government Palace and city hall while, at the northern end, one can find the ancient fortress of la Planchada.

4.The Littoral- This is a narrow coastal belt. The chief ports supply visitors with a number of the perfect resorts for deep-sea fishing on the west coast. Incredibly fascinating are the towns of Playas Posoria and Salinas, while Esmeraldas, one of the country’s most important ports, is additionally known for its stunning beaches. The relaxing island of Muisne is also becoming a preferred destination.

5.The Oriente- El Oriente is the term used by Ecuadorians to refer to the Amazon basin in eastern Ecuador. This is a primeval world of virgin forests and exotic flora and fauna, still mainly inhabited by Indians. The principal towns of the area are El Puyo, Lago Agrio, Macas, Sucúa, Tena and Zamora. Tourist excursions are provided along the rivers, which provide the principal method of transport. One of the largest rivers in this area is the Napo which, like most of the rivers in the Oriente, is a tributary of the Amazon (which lies further east in Peru). Baños is worth visiting, taking its name from the multiple springs and pools of hot and cold mineral waters. It is also the gateway to the Amazon region, passing through the spectacular gorge of the River Pastaza.

6.Galápagos Islands- Situated about 1000km west of the Ecuadorian mainland, the islands are bleak, barren and rocky. Made famous by Charles Darwin’s scientific voyage in the ‘Beagle’ during the 19th century, the islands’ unique wildlife – which contains giant tortoises, lizards and iguanas – remains the most intriguing feature for the modern-day visitor. Some 50 per cent of the islands’ species are found nowhere else on the planet. The islands have been turned into a national park in an attempt to preserve their natural state, and, in 1978, UNESCO declared the Galápagos to be ‘the universal natural heritage of humanity’. In 1998, the Government enacted a law for the ‘Special Regime for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Galápagos Province’, which states that the protection of the area is a state responsibility.

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