YanaYacu Biological Station
YanaYacu Biological Station The YanaYaco Biological Station and Center for the Creative Studies is a nonprofit organization and research facility located in the cloud forests of Ecuador.The station concentrates on local environmental conservation projects and offers opportunities to engage in your
Wall of Tears (El Muro de las Lágrimas)
Wall of Tears (El Muro de las Lágrimas) At first glance this stone wall doesnt seem like much, but it is the history behind its creation that makes it meaningful. The Wall of Tears was constructed by hundreds of prisoners held captive in a penal colony on the island from 1945 to 1959. The colony w
Teleferico Quito
Teleferico Quito Ringed by mountains, Quito has no shortage of viewpoints, but the ultimate view of the Ecuadorian capital has to be from the peak of the Pichincha Volcano, reached by the Teleferico Quito. Opened in 2005, the gondola lift runs up the east side of the still-active volcano, reaching
Sierra Negra Volcano
Sierra Negra Volcano There’s nothing quite like the view from one of South America’s most active volcanoes and the world’s second largest crater, Sierra Negra.The last eruption from this large shield volcano occurred in 2005—and while it’s not likely lava will be flowing, there are several geologi
Sangay National Park
Sangay National Park The extraordinary biodiversity of the Sangay National Park in the Andes mountains of Ecuador led to it being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park also has the natural beauty of three volcanoes, El Altar, Tungurahua and Sangay, the last two of which are active. In fa
Presidential Palace
Presidential Palace The Presidential Palace (in Spanish, Palacio de Carondelet) is located in Quito’s Independence Square and is currently the seat of government of the Republic of Ecuador. After the Battle of Pichincha in 1822, the palace became the headquarters of the south department of Gr
Palace of the Archbishop
Palace of the Archbishop The Palace of the Archbishop (in Spanish, Palacio Arzobispal) in the heart of Old Town Quito stands in good company on Plaza Grande, sharing the plaza with the cathedral, the Presidential Palace and City Hall.Founded in the 16th century, this neoclassic building was once t
Mariscal
Mariscal La Mariscal is the epicenter of Quito’s tourist scene, so much so the neighborhood has become known as ‘Gringolandia.’ What Mariscal lacks in tourist attractions it makes up for in bars, restaurants, and clubs. Many visitors opt to stay in Mariscal for its wide range of accommodations and
Leon Dormido
Leon Dormido The translation of Leon Dormido, a giant rock formation rising sharply out of the ocean, is sleeping lion. The remains of a lava cone split into two parts, in English it is also known as Kicker Rock. The formations have eroded due to hundreds of years of weather and sea and now tower
Las Tintoreras
Las Tintoreras Las Tintoreras is a small group of islands where lava formations have created several different natural habitats, thus enabling a wide range of Galapagos wildlife to inhabit the area.There is a lagoon that reef sharks come to rest in, mangroves that make for marine iguana breeding g
La Basilica Church
La Basilica Church The Basilica of the National Vow (in Spanish, La Basilica del Voto Nacional), often called La Basilica, is one of the most beautiful Roman Catholic churches in Quito. Set up on a hill and visible from almost anywhere in the city, it’s particularly striking after dark, when it is
Intinan Museum
Intinan Museum Who would’ve thought an invisible line would be so hard to find? As the very name of the country describes, the Earth’s Equator bisects Ecuador into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres—although pinpointing the exact location of that line has been an ongoing challenge. For hundreds
Guayasamin Museum
Guayasamin Museum What do they look like, the faces of Ecuador? It is a question that Oswaldo Guayasamin, one of South America’s most important artists, has tried to answer. He was not only a masterful artist, but also a collector and spent over 30 years transforming his former home in Quito into
Genovesa Island
Genovesa Island Though relatively small, Genovesa Island is one of the most interesting in the Galapagos chain. Composed entirely out of a shield volcano, the horseshoe-shaped island is home to such geologic wonders such as the Great Darwin Bay, which was formed out of a collapsed volcanic structu
Garrapatero Beach
Garrapatero Beach One of Santa Cruz’s most peaceful and tranquil settings, the 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) of sand that compose El Garrapatero Beach is a tropical paradise. It is about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) northeast of Puerto Ayora, and is well worth the trip. Surrounded by beautiful mangrove t
Fernandina Island
Fernandina Island The unique island of Fernandina is found on the west side of Isla Isabela, and is one of the least visited islands in the Galapagos. Its active volcanic state makes the island scarce of vegetation, and the scenery is almost surreal. However, Fernandina is home to an impressive co
El Altar Mountain
El Altar Mountain El Altar Mountain, called Kapak Urku (meaning “sublime mountain” in the indigenous language), is an extinct volcano on the western side of the Sangay National Park, about 106 miles (170 km) south of Quito. It’s part of what is sometimes called the “Top Ten” in Ecuador, the group
Cathedral of Quito
Cathedral of Quito Built between 1562 and 1806, the iconic white façade and towering columns of the Cathedral of Quito today remains one of the most recognizable and distinguished structures in the city’s historic center. The impressive exterior is visible from hillsides that rise high outside of
Casa Del Arbol
Casa Del Arbol In the Ecuadorian wilderness near Baños de Agua Santa lies a small seismic monitoring station that has capitalized on its perfect location on a mountain top 2,600 meters above sea level by installing a tree house with a swing. But the unique piece of playground equipment hanging fro
Calle La Ronda
Calle La Ronda In downtown Quito, you’ll find the essence of the city along the emblematic street affectionately called Calle La Ronda. Visiting this pedestrian street at the southern end of the Old Town is like taking a walk back in time.The narrow houses with their balconies and interior courtya
