last edited Jan 9, 2020
Regions of Ecuador
Contributionsversion #2created Jan 9, 2020Latest contributions in this guideContributors to this guide
Pacific Coast
The Costa (the coast) is this vast fertile coastal plain that runs along the Pacific. It is also one of Ecuador's wealthiest regions and the most populated, with one in two Ecuadorians living here, particularly around Guayaquil, the country's largest urban area with nearly 3 million inhabitants. However, this part of the country is visited far less than the rest of the territory.
The Andes
The Sierra is the central part of the country, at high altitude with numerous volcanoes exceeding 5,000 m, arranged in two parallel cordilleras between which lies a high plateau around 2,500 m. This is where Quito was built, along with other cities like Cuenca. Rich in heritage, nature, landscapes, and all kinds of activities, the Andean part of Ecuador remains the most visited region.
Ecuadorian Amazon
The Ecuadorian Amazon (el Oriente) covers about half of the country's surface area. A major advantage is that, since Ecuador is small, access to the jungle—at least in the north—is easier and quicker than elsewhere. A simple day's bus ride from Quito is enough to reach it, and from there, you can organize a stay with a guide or even independently at times.
Galapagos
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Galapagos archipelago is a unique destination in terms of the marine and terrestrial wildlife it offers visitors. Located nearly a thousand kilometers off the Ecuadorian coast, this separate world bears no resemblance to the rest of the country, including in terms of tourism and especially the budget required to explore it...