Info about Ecuador
Ecuador: The Travel Destination with Something For Everyone
Ecuador has something for every traveler. It has wilderness of the Amazon, high volcanic mountains, great coastline, small fishing villages, and markets. The wonderful Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador.
Ecuador is a small country with very interesting geography. It is located on the equator and has a coastline that rises up to mountains higher than five thousand meters. In this small country you will find cloud forest, rain forest, pine forests, prairies, and coast. Ecuador also has the tallest active volcano in the entire world. Peru and Colombia border Ecuador.
There are many sights to visit in Ecuador. The Galapagos Islands are located about one thousand kilometers west of Ecuador. Scuba diving here is some of the best found anywhere in the world. You can actually dive with Giant Turtles, Penguins, Sea Horses, and Hammerhead Sharks in the same dive. The wildlife on these islands is very fascinating.
The Cotopaxi volcano is another interesting place to visit. It is about 75 kilometers for Quito and can be seen from the city on clear days. The volcano is 5897 meters high and is part of the volcanoes that surround the Pacific plate called the Pacific Ring of Fire. You can climb this mountain if you have very good equipment and you are an experienced climber.
One of the world’s best bird watching destinations is Mindo. In its cloud forests many species of bird are found. It is a very small village but it has developed into a very popular tourist destination.
The highland village of Otavalo is made famous by the wonderful textile market and the beautiful traditional clothes that is worn by the local women. Every Saturday it boasts one of the largest markets for traditional crafts found worldwide.
Sangay National Park provides beautiful scenery. It has two active volcanoes and ecosystems that range from a dense tropical rain forest to glaciers. There are huge contrasts in the park between the peaks of snowcapped mountains and the forests of the plains. There are many rare and endangered animals like the mountain tapir and the Andean condor that live in the park.
Ecuador, which includes the Galapagos Islands, is located on the equator. However, there are large differences in the climate of the mainland and the islands. Because of the highlands the interior temperatures are mild and it is never hot. Rainfall is possible any time of the year, but it is fairly dry from June to August. The most rainfall is received in March and April. Eastern Ecuador has hot and humid weather with December to May getting the most rainfall. October and November can sometimes be extremely hot. Hot and humid weather is also found on the coast.
The Galapagos Islands are never very warm. The temperature is usually around 25 degrees Celsius. January to May is the wet season but this time period also has the most pleasant weather. It is warmer and has more sun. July to December is cool and it can be foggy and cloudy for days. This is the least pleasant time of year to visit.
It is easy to see why Ecuador is a popular tourist destination. It has something to offer all adventurous travelers. Everything from mountain climbing to sunbathing can be found in this small wonderful country. There is an abundance of wildlife to observe as well.