Ecuador & Galapagos Blog – The perfect travel guide

Ecuador Snorkeling Sites - Why you cannot miss exploring Ecuador marine life Snorkeling is one of the most accessible water sports when traveling anywhere in the world. The equipment is cheap, certainly cheaper that diving, and anybody with decent swimming skills can do it.  Any snorkeling aficionado can tell you that Ecuador snorkeling spots are ideal due to the geographic location. Surrounded by the Andean Ecosystem (Colombia to the north, Peru to the east and south) and bordered to the west by the Pacific Ocean, Ecuador has a must-see marine ecosystem for every snorkeling lover. Here's short account of the best Ecuador snorkeling spots. A short list specially thought for snorkeling aficionados, we shall leave Scuba-diving for another article. The Galapagos Islands Marine Reserve, of course! Certainly the most bio diverse spot in Ecuador is the area where the warm Panama Current meets the colder Humbolt and Cromwell currents. In this coalition of currents lies a unique and extremely diverse ecological system filled with fascinating marine life. This area known as the Galapagos Marine Reserve has 133 000 square kilometer of pure life and magic.  Though the Galapagos Islands do not have a coral reef like the rest of the famous snorkeling locations in the South Pacific, it houses a large variety of wildlife and a good visibility for snorkeling. Manta rays, white-tipped sharks, eagle rays, sea-turtles, sea-lions, you name it, the Galapagos has it all, a colorful life-filled ecosystem of easy access. This is what makes it so special for snorkeling; you don’t need to go that deep to observe wildlife. Here´s a list of the best spots for snorkelling in Galapagos: 1.  The ever so beautiful Bartolomé Island near Santa Cruz Bartolomé Island is probably one of the most recognized sites in Galapagos. Pinacle Rock prOivdes one of the

Top tourist attractions in ecuador The tourist attractions in ecuador, the name Ecuador comes from the French word or Équateur, meaning “The middle of the world”, since the country straddles in the southern and northern hemispheres. It is exactly for this reason that Ecuador is such a biodiverse and strikingly beautiful location. Due to its location and the geography, the country consists of four regions namely: The Coast, the Highlands, the Ecuadorian Amazon and Galapagos Islands. This diversity host famous landforms, natural attractions as well as cultural manifestations which are must-visit for every traveler. The beauty of it is that they are all so different that you will get the feeling you’ve been to more that one country, and Ecuador is only 109,484 square miles! Check-out our top visiting spot in Ecuador, a great start when planning your itinerary for your Ecuador trip. Ecuadorian Sierra: Otavalo Market Otavalo is a largely indigenous town in the Imbabura Province, northern part of Ecuador. The indigenous Otavaleños are famous for weaving textiles, usually made of wool (that is sometimes as black as a raven), which are sold at the famous Saturday market. Although the largest market is on Saturday, there is a very wide range of wares available throughout the week in the “Plaza de los Ponchos”, and the many local shops. A full day trip to Otavalo Local Market from Quito is enough to fall in love with the palce. Ecuadorian Sierra: Quilotoa Loop hike The Quilotoa loop is made of mostly small, Andean villages which surround the famous Quilotoa Lake. The scenic beauty of the place is astonishing, specially considering it is actually an old volcanic crater. This spot is also home to the rich cultural hieritage of the high mountain villages. The famous lagoon offers a great opportunity for hiking

"Ecuador is also known as the World Capital of Orchids" Ecuador Orchids are a true testament to the country's rich biodiversity, earning Ecuador the title of "World Capital of Orchids." With 4,250 species, including 1,301 endemic varieties, these stunning flowers thrive in diverse habitats from tropical forests to highland regions. Their vibrant colors and unique forms attract scientists and nature enthusiasts from around the globe, making Ecuador a must-visit destination for orchid lovers. Andreas Kay photo Orchids, for its beauty and elegance, are the oldest plants in the world. Ecuador has 4,250 species and 1,301 endemic species classified in tropical, subtropical and conservation areas. Orchids belong to the family of Orchidaceae. They live on trees where capture heat, light and air. Some grow on rocks with moss, and other on the floor. Flowers are grouped in clusters of 2 to 20, orchids can be white, pink, lilac, red, yellow, green and even blue. Although they have similar sepals, petals and lips, they change from one gender to another.   Andreas Kay photo Orchid in their natural habitat grow by millions. If they have food, water and love, the reproduction is endless. If orchids disappear, disappear thousands of species of bees, wasps and insects that pollinate the plants. If insects disappear, disappear fruit species because they can't reproduce. Andreas Kay photo The Ecuador is the world capital of orchids, for that reason scientists from different latitudes are traveling throughout the year to observe and investigate orchids. Alexander Hirtz, during 40 years of research, discovered 800 species of orchids in Ecuador. "It is the family of plants with the highest number of species that can easily mutate against climate change. For example, the eruptions of the Ecuadorians were new orchid species that mutated and adapted to the climate and geography ". Yellow