This photo of three elder gentlemen visiting on a park bench was photographed in Quito, Ecuador shortly after a weekly changing of the guard ceremony.

This main plaza in the historical center of the country’s capital city is one of my favorites, along with the famous piazza in Pisa, near the leaning tower. The city has many historical streets and buildings worth exploring, including the national basilica and the oldest observatory in South America which is also located in Quito’s downtown area.

From Quito, there are a number of interesting day trips you can take to explore this region of Ecuador. For example, you can drive to explore the market and countryside of Otavalo and stop to see the equator, or check out the Saquisili market and stop to have lunch at the Hacienda la Cienega on your way back.

Photo Credit: This photo was taken by the Trek Hound team and is available along with other pictures of Quito through a creative commons agreement on our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.

Many travelers find themselves in Guayaquil, Ecuador due its popularity as a jumping off point for touring the Galapagos Islands. For us, it was the most affordable entry point to South America as we started our six-month backpacking excursion. It’s a bit more industrial than the historic and picturesque capital of Quito, but there a few experiences worth having here. These are our top picks for activities for those who are spending a day in Guayaquil.

Spend the afternoon along Malecon 2000.

A popular waterfront development area, Malecon 2000 is a pleasant way to experience the waterfront area of Guayaquil. Waterfalls, statues, a beautiful Moorish-style clock and an antique train-car-turned-public-internet-café are all things you’ll see as you stroll this picturesque area. There are places to stop and sit, enjoy an ice cream and have a caricature sketch done. There are also museums and the first IMAX movie theater in South America.  You’ll find plenty of photo ops and a breeze to cool off from the city heat.

Stop by the Guayaquil cathedral.

Near Malecon 2000 is the Guayaquil Metropolitan Cathedral. It’s quite picturesque and the architecture is well done. Worth poking your head inside and grabbing a few photographs from the exterior. If Catholicism happens to be your religion of choice, then you may even choose to attend a service. Either way, it’s a nice building worth your time to go and see while you are visiting the city of Guayaquil.

Explore what’s known as Lizard Park.

Immediately in front of the cathedral is a pleasant, grassy park area with trees, benches and a pretty gazebo. It’s also FULL of large iguanas that seem to pose for tourists and photographers at every turn. So be sure to pack your camera, along with its zoom lens. This is one photo op you don’t want to miss.

Have lunch at La Canoa.

Directly across the street from the cathedral and Lizard Park is a restaurant called La Canoa. It’s located on the bottom floor of the Intercontinental Hotel, and is known by locals and business travelers alike for its great Ecuadorian food. I wouldn’t call it an exceptionally fancy place, but if you’re looking to experience the national cuisine of Ecuador, this is the place to do it. When we were there, it was PACKED with locals having lunch. Always a good sign, in my book.

There are a number of hotels in Guayaquil to stay at, but we chose to stay at Dream Kapture.

Technically a hostel, Dream Kapture has affordable private rooms with shared baths, in addition to dorm-style sleeping accommodations. Breakfast is included, and they have a small support office on site to help you with arranging travel to other locations throughout the country. That’s where we booked our getaway to Ayampe. There is internet, taxi access and a pharmacy nearby for handling incidentals. While there was a mishap with a live electrical wire in the shower (don’t ask), we felt this place was more than adequate by hostel standards and certainly affordable for those who want to travel on a budget but still be safe.

After you’ve explored what Guayaquil has to offer, you can head to El Oriente, Mindo or even Saquisili for a true sense of rural Ecuador. We used it as an affordable launch point for the next leg of our trip. Heading to Lima from Guayaquil is quite affordable with a combination of bus and air fares.

Photo Credits: These travel pictures of Guayaquil were photographed by the Trek Hound team. Those interested in more images or using these ones online can access them through a creative commons agreement on our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.

If you’ve found Guayaquil to be a little too industrial for you, then consider heading up the coast a bit for a quiet getaway in Ayampe, Ecuador. It’s a sleepy little beach town where you’re just as likely to share the beach with a couple of donkeys and the occasional chicken as you are the locals. It’s a hit with hardcore surfers to enjoy the specific waves the area has to offer, and popular with Ecuadorians wanting to get out of the city for a bit.

Getting to Ayampe took us a while.

While traveling to Ayampe from Guayaquile by bus can be challenging, it can be done. It’s also an interesting way to get a peek into local culture and see some scenery you might not be able to otherwise. This is how we traveled, and while it took longer than expected, it did provide us with a cultural experience we cherish. That being said, we nearly didn’t find our hotel because we got dropped off just after dusk and there were no streetlights in the area. Headlamps prevailed however, and we managed to make our way.

We stayed at the Turtle Cabanas, referred to by some travelers as the Tortuga Hotel.

I’ve written a review of Cabanas La Tortugas previously, but suffice it to say we found it to be a charming establishment, even if our entry was a bit rough. The hotel menu was affordable and pleasant enough, the price was right and we enjoyed having a stretch of quiet time on a sleepy beach after the chaos of getting ready for the six-month trip. As beaches go, it isn’t necessarily comparable to some of those in the Caribbean or South Pacific. But it is a pleasant break from the city and hanging out at the Turtle Cabanas was a superior value for families, couple and solo travelers alike.

The pace in Ayampe is quite slow.

Other than surfing and beach strolling, your activities are limited to swimming, booking a boat ride and hiking around the area for travel photo opportunities. In other words, bringing a book or two is a good idea. As far as accessing civilization for internet, money changing and running across other travelers, you’ll need to head to nearby Puerto Lopez. It’s a little on the dirty side, but there is more going on there and your grocery options are slightly better than at the little hut in Ayampe where you can buy water, powdered Tang and potato chips.

All in all, Ayampe isn’t necessarily the type of town you’d fly all the way from North America to see, but it’s worth a few days to unwind from the fast pace of a longer trip and to get a peek into the rural coastal life of the Ecuadorian people who live there.

Photo Credits: These pictures of Ayampe, Ecuador were photographed by the Trek Hound team. You can access them for use in online publications through the creative commons agreement on our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.

On our journey to El Oriente in Ecuador, we stayed in small, developing town known as Misahualli. While the selection of places to rest your head was somewhat slim, we did manage to secure lodging at a small eco lodge called France-Amazonia.

As eco lodges go, France-Amazonia can hardly be called a luxury resort. That being said, it is a clean, quaint and secure guest house with a reasonable amount of charm. They have a locked parking area for your vehicle, private bathrooms in each room, a bar, pool, thatched hammock area with bonfire access, private path to the river for canoe access and a fresh breakfast served each morning.

Apparently, they used to also make food to order for lunch and dinner as well, but when we were there the venue had new owners and this wasn’t on their list of services. They did however, order food for us from downtown so we could enjoy dinner on site for a fee and still have access to the bar without having to drive.

The other convenient thing about this location is that if you are booking one of several available river tours, you can use the private trail ( more than a little slippery) to access the river and your tour operator will pick you up right there at the hotel. It’s nice not to have to walk far back to your room at the end of the day, as opposed to still needing to arrange transport from the waterfront area of Misahualli.

We enjoyed our rooms, the pool and the bonfire area with bar access and would stay here again. The service is somewhat casual, as the owners live on site and you need to flag them down with a bell near their living area should a need arise. Not all rooms are first floor, so if climbing up the stairs with your luggage is an issue, be sure to book a ground room. We paid less than $50 for ours, which was upstairs and adjoined to the room of our other traveling companions with a private balcony and lockable common door.

Photo Credit: Trek Hound – Other pictures from Ecuador’s El Oriente are available are available through a creative commons agreement on our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.

Quito, Ecuador is arguably one of the most impressive cultural capitals in South America. With a complete historical renovation of the downtown cultural area, exquisite antique churches, exotic ecological and cultural daytrips to places like Otavalo, Mindo, Termas de Papallacta, the Orienté, and the oldest observatory in South America, there’s lots to enjoy.

Here are my top six picks for things to do within the city limits of Quito, Ecuador.

Spend some time at the Quito basilica.

The Basilica del Voto Nacional in the historical section of Quito, Ecuador is worth more than a quick visit. This impressive ornate structure is one of the most commanding buildings in Quito. The outside grassy areas are enjoyed by picnicking locals who enjoy gazing on the architectural details of this immense basilica.  When we visited, entry was free. The interior is cavernous, and another opportunity to appreciate the work put in by the church’s architects. There’s an outside patio area to enjoy as well, including a small café. We had done a fair bit of walking around on the morning of our visit, so we hung out with beverages for a few hours, had some sandwiches and generally extended our visit to the Quito basilica by gazing up at the structure over lunch.

La Campa?a de Jesus: Quito Gets Gilded.

If you want to be overwhelmed by just how much gold leaf can be applied in a single building, then La Campa?a de Jesus Church in Quito is just what the doctor ordered. The structure has detailed decorations, and is reminiscent of similar buildings throughout Europe. It provides a sense of perspective on the missionary culture that influenced the area historically. The church’s entrance fee for foreign tourists is a couple of bucks, while residents of Quito, Ecuador and Ecuadorian nationals in general are granted a fee that is half that price.

Take a walking tour of Quito, Ecuador’s historical section.

This historical center of Quito, Ecuador is in my opinion the most picturesque portion of the city. You can visit one of the numerous tourist information offices for free maps and guide brochures, or download a walking itinerary that suits you from the Quito tourism authority’s web site. There is a particular section of streets near the presidential palace where the restoration efforts are particularly exceptional. If you run into the banking and coin museum, you’ll know you’re there. Some of these buildings look like architectural wedding cakes, with their snowy-white accent details displayed against yellow and pink walls. Even if you don’t do a structured, self-guided walking tour, taking time to stroll through this section of town at your leisure is a must-do.

Check out Monday’s changing of the guard ceremony.

While the guards change out daily at the presidential palace in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday mornings at  11:00 a.m. things get officially fancy with a formal ceremony in full traditional costume with rifles, horses, a band and more. The event takes place in the plaza in front of the presidential palace. You’ll want to get there early, as this is a great opportunity to people watch and grab some photos of soldiers and civilians alike. School children, grandparents, tourists and apparently anyone in the area with free time descend upon the plaza at this time. It’s a colorful, vibrant and just plain cool activity to include on your visit to Quito, Ecuador.

Stop by the historic Quito Observatory.

Officially the oldest observatory in South America, the observatory in Quito, Ecuador is not only a pleasant attraction for city visitors and astronomy buffs, but also provides some serious steampunk photo ops for those who enjoy ornate historical structures and scientific equipment. As a lover of old buildings, I was particularly taken with this one and how well it has been preserved. My husband, an avid skywatcher, was equally thrilled with this observatory that harkens to the bygone days of gentleman astronomers. While catching a nightly public telescope viewing is hit or miss, you can tour the facility and grounds for free, and enjoy a pre or post visit picnic in the adjacent park.

Visit the various Quito museums.

Those who enjoy historical exhibits, or tourists who feel comfortable having a few extra rainy-day activities in their hip pocket may want to check out the numerous Quito museums. I wouldn’t say there are any in the city I’d consider world class, but if you’re looking to take your exploration of Quito, Ecuador to the next level, then there are a few venues here to help you do just that. While some of them land firmly in the range of kitschy, the buildings are historical and fun to enjoy from that respect alone. Visit one of Quito’s tourist information offices for further information on the individual museums themselves when you’re in town.

There are a number of great restaurants to try out in the general area, and within the actual city limits of Quito proper. A number of them are located outside of town in historic haciendas where you can also spend the night, such as Hosteria La Cienega, and the Cactus Café in Cumbaya. So a visit to the city provides not only an enormous amount of history to explore, but plenty of culinary delights as well.

Photo Credits: Trek Hound – For access to other creative commons pictures of Ecuador including images of Quito, Papallacta, Otavalo and more, visit our sister site, PicturesofTravelPlaces.com. We ask only for a link back to the image gallery or photo page where you found the image.

Termas de Papallacta Spa & Resort in the mountains of Ecuador is an amazing escape from the typical tourist rush.

Drivable from Quito, the resort is a rustically-romantic getaway that successfully blends luxury with nature. Nestled high in the mountains of Ecuador, Papallacta provides thermal pools, a full-service spa, fine dining and access to nature trails. We stayed there for a night during a month-long vacation in Ecuador. Here’s a run-down of our experience.

The Papallacta spa was fantastic.

We were pleased to find that the Papallacta spa was a full-service establishment with a fireside quiet area to enjoy while we waited for our treatments. Mid-week rates were a steal, with a one-hour hot stone massage costing only 30 bucks on a Thursday night.

How was the food at Termas Papallacta Spa & Resort?

The restaurant served a fair amount of food that was sourced locally, including fish and vegetables. While we’d heard great things about the service, they were apparently breaking in a new staff person while we were there because it left a bit to be desired. That being said, it was a nice restaurant and the food was definitely fabulous.

The rooms at Papallacta were rustic but definitely comfortable.

While I believe there were regular rooms available, we stayed at one of the guest cottages with step-out-the-door access to multiple thermal pools of varying temperatures and steaming hot waterfalls to sit underneath. The cottages had a room that would sleep five, a huge bathtub and shower combo, and a front room with a glass-front wood stove, couch, dinette set and several kitchenette appliances like a toaster oven, sink area, small fridge and a microwave.

There was also a front porch sitting area to enjoy the mountain scenery after a dip in the thermal pools. There was also another side of the cottage that you could book as an adjoining room if your family or traveling group was large. We found the cottage to be very comfortable and used the kitchenette to have a private breakfast rather than heading to the restaurant.

Termas de Papallacta definitely has some perks.

Step-out access to steamy, thermal pool luxury, a full-service spa, hiking and equestrian trails with a two-room suite and fine dining to boot make the Termas de Papallacta Spa & Resort worth the trip. Add in the mountain scenery and relaxed atmosphere, and you’ve got yourself a romantic getaway you’ll remember for years to come. The partially-furnished kitchenette in our room at Papallacta was a huge perk as well, allowing privacy and cost-control for at least some of the meals consumed while we were there.

Personal Papallacta verdict?

In my opinion, Termas de Papallacta is a nice establishment that’s worth spending the money to visit. The fact that Wi-Fi was only available in the main lobby area seemed like a bit of a quirk to me, because I am a freelancer who works from the road. That being said, it is supposed to be a luxurious nature getaway and the capacity to check in with clients back in the States was definitely available on site. Papallacta makes a great getaway in its own right, as well as a fun and scenic drive-and-stop to combine with a trip to Ecuador’s Orienté to explore the headwaters of the Amazon River.

Editor’s Note: These and other pictures of Papallacta are available at one of our sister sites, Pictures of Travel Places for you to use for free through a creative commons agreement. We ask only for a link back to the photo gallery.

Photo Credits: Trek Hound

This action shot of our river guide was taken on a trip my husband and I made to Ecuador to visit a long-time friend. One of the sources for the Amazon was accessible from her house, so we drove down to the town of Misahualli to spend a few days at France Amazonia exploring the area.

We saw many things on that particular river trip, but this photo was taken while our guide was showing us how to access a tribal remedy for insect bites in the sap of the tree he is cutting into. Just a small reminder of how much the locals have relied for generations on the gifts from the forest to meet all of their needs.

Have you made it to the Amazon region on your travels? What amazing experiences did you have?

Photo Credit: Trek Hound  - Additional pictures from Ecuador’s El Oriente region are available in photo gallery form on our sister site.

This image called to me for the taking on a day trip we took with a friend in Ecuador. The back view of virtually identical hair braids streaming down vibrantly colored shawls is a cultural snapshot of the Andes themselves.

This particular group of women were at the Saquisili market some distance out of Quito. While there were a few souvenirs to be had there, this particular market was more for the locals and featured vegetables, chickens, eggs, animals, homemade sugar cakes, baskets and more. These women were on a weekly shopping errand.

If you are interested in taking this day trip yourself, you may want to consider staying overnight at Hacienda La Cienega in order to have time to visit Cotapaxi National Park the next day.

Photo Credit: Trek Hound – More of our pictures of Saquisili are available on our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.

This bird was one of many animals we saw at a local Amazon jungle animal rescue and rehabilitation program near Misahualli, Ecuador. 

The rescue project was one of several things we saw on a day trip we booked from our hotel, France Amazonia. I was excited that I was able to get a shot that didn’t include large portions of the cage he was resting in while they tried to rehabilitate him for return into the wild. Until recently, I never understood the fascination certain people had with birding. Spending weeks on end in a swampy forest in the hopes of catching a glimpse of a mousy brown wren of some sort just isn’t my cup of tea.

That being said, there are so many varieties of birds with striking plumage. They come in so many shapes and sizes as well. I guess I sort of “get it” a bit more now. Even though I don’t think it will ever  be a lifelong hobby, I do enjoy the opportunity to see a wide variety of birds up close. Especially the colorful and unusual ones.

Photo Credit: Trek Hound – Pictures of Travel Places has more of our pictures from Ecuador, including images of El Oriente, available to you through a creative commons agreement.