Ecuador
Capital:
Quito
Description:
Ecuador is a country straddling the equator on South America’s west coast. Its diverse landscape encompasses Amazon jungle, Andean highlands and the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands. In the Andean foothills at an elevation of 2,850m, Quito, the capital, is known for its largely intact Spanish colonial center, with decorated 16th- and 17th-century palaces and religious sites, like the ornate Compañía de Jesús Church.
Major Cities
Guayaquil
Quito
Cuenca
Santo Domingo
3★+ Accommodation Starting At:
$7
(Per Room, Per Night)
Atlandis Top 3 'Things to Do'
Quilotoa Lagoon
Quilotoa Lagoon was formed when a now-extinct volcano collapsed and the resulting crater was filled with a startling emerald-green lake, the color resulting from volcanic minerals. Just south of Quito, the village and lagoon of Quilotoa have become a popular day-trip destination, affording spectacular views and photo opportunities.
Middle of the World Monument
The Middle of the World Monument (La Mitad del Mundo) commemorates the site where the 18th-century French explorer Charles Marie de la Condamine once calculated the globe's equatorial line. A trapezoidal monument in the center of the park houses a viewing platform; a small museum on the equator pays tributes to local indigenous cultures.
Las Tintoreras
Las Tintoreras is a small group of islets off the coast ofxa0 Isabela island where lava formations have created several different natural habitats, enabling a wide range of wildlife to thrive, including Galápagos penguins and white-tipped sharks wading in shallow crevices. Mangroves provide breeding grounds for marine iguanas while a small beach is taken over by sea lions.
'Things To Do' information provided by Viator and TripAdvisor. Contact Atlandis Vacations for the best prices.