The Andes mountains surely provide some of the most spectacular scenery in all of South America, and many of their most popular destinations lie in the tiny nation of Ecuador. Travel through this region may prove challenging for some sightseers as buses don't stop often during all-day drives through the countryside. For the patient traveler, however, the rewards are seemingly endless.
Quito, Ecuador – Travel in the Capital
The second-highest national capital in the Andes mountains and the entire world (La Paz, Bolivia is highest), Quito, Ecuador sits at 9200 feet above sea level. Ecuador vacations nearly always include Quito, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, and there are a number of awesome sites here for travelers.
Cuenca, Ecuador – Travel Through an Idyllic Highland City
For a historic stroll down colonial, cobblestone streets, travelers need look no further than Cuenca, Ecuador. Like Quito, Cuenca's city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and despite being the nation's third-largest city, tourists find that Cuenca feels much smaller than Ecuador's capital. While the city takes great pride in its historic architecture, it also boasts many modern restaurants and bars that are poplar with young people and foreigners.
Anyone staying in Cuenca, Ecuador for more than a day or so should head up to nearby Ingapirca, which contains Ecuador's most well-known Inca ruins. While nowhere near as well-preserved as the famous city of Machu Picchu in Peru, the ruins here display some of the best examples of Inca architecture remaining in Ecuador.
Smaller Towns in Ecuador – Vacations in Baños and Vilcabamba
Travelers looking to either relax, enjoy outdoor adventure sports, or settle for a happy medium in between those two extremes should consider Baños, Ecuador, a small town with a central location in Ecuador's Andes mountains. In addition to its calming thermal baths, Baños, Ecuador offers mountain biking, zip-line rides from peak to peak, and, for the adventurous set, bungee jumping.
Vilcabamba, Ecuador, another small town popular with tourists, bills itself as la Valle de Eterna Juventud (Valley of Eternal Youth) as natives supposedly have longer-than-average lifespans. Whether this is true is the subject of much debate, but if one thing is certain, it's that Vilcabamba is one of the greatest places in Ecuador to kick back in a hammock and enjoy stunning views of the Andes mountains. Horseback riding and hiking opportunities also exist here.
The Andes Mountains as Part of a Larger Ecuador Travel Experience
Passage through Ecuador's Andean cities provides an excellent complement to coastal Ecuador vacations or a Galapagos travel adventure. Whether one pursues these sites as part of a longer trip or is just passing through on the way to additional destinations in neighboring countries, the splendor of these highland cities is sure to take any Ecuador travel itinerary up a notch.
For information on bus travel from Quito, Ecuador, be sure to check the bus schedules in the Terminal Terrestre, Quito's main bus terminal, at least a day before departure to other cities. Travel by bus is the easiest, most convenient, and most affordable way to reach these destinations in the Andes mountains
Quito, Ecuador – Travel in the Capital
The second-highest national capital in the Andes mountains and the entire world (La Paz, Bolivia is highest), Quito, Ecuador sits at 9200 feet above sea level. Ecuador vacations nearly always include Quito, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, and there are a number of awesome sites here for travelers.
- Old Town: Considered the best-preserved historic city center in Latin America, Old Town Quito, Ecuador features colonial architecture and grand churches. Visitors are sure to pass through La Plaza Grande, where the Presidential Palace is located, when perusing the offerings of Old Town.
- El TelefériQo: This sky-tram takes Quito, Ecuador visitors to the top of the Pichincha volcano that towers above the city. The entire trip up is 2.5 kilometers, and views of the Andes mountains are out of this world.
- El Panecillo: The enormous statue of La Virgin de Quito (Virgin of Quito) sits atop the summit of this hill thought to resemble a loaf of bread – panecillo means "little loaf of bread." Travelers can take a bus to the top of the hill for views of the city.
- El Museo Guayasamín: Probably Ecuador's most famous visual artist, Oswaldo Guayasamín's home now sits alongside this enormous museum featuring a substantial collection of his work.
Cuenca, Ecuador – Travel Through an Idyllic Highland City
For a historic stroll down colonial, cobblestone streets, travelers need look no further than Cuenca, Ecuador. Like Quito, Cuenca's city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and despite being the nation's third-largest city, tourists find that Cuenca feels much smaller than Ecuador's capital. While the city takes great pride in its historic architecture, it also boasts many modern restaurants and bars that are poplar with young people and foreigners.
Anyone staying in Cuenca, Ecuador for more than a day or so should head up to nearby Ingapirca, which contains Ecuador's most well-known Inca ruins. While nowhere near as well-preserved as the famous city of Machu Picchu in Peru, the ruins here display some of the best examples of Inca architecture remaining in Ecuador.
Smaller Towns in Ecuador – Vacations in Baños and Vilcabamba
Travelers looking to either relax, enjoy outdoor adventure sports, or settle for a happy medium in between those two extremes should consider Baños, Ecuador, a small town with a central location in Ecuador's Andes mountains. In addition to its calming thermal baths, Baños, Ecuador offers mountain biking, zip-line rides from peak to peak, and, for the adventurous set, bungee jumping.
Vilcabamba, Ecuador, another small town popular with tourists, bills itself as la Valle de Eterna Juventud (Valley of Eternal Youth) as natives supposedly have longer-than-average lifespans. Whether this is true is the subject of much debate, but if one thing is certain, it's that Vilcabamba is one of the greatest places in Ecuador to kick back in a hammock and enjoy stunning views of the Andes mountains. Horseback riding and hiking opportunities also exist here.
The Andes Mountains as Part of a Larger Ecuador Travel Experience
Passage through Ecuador's Andean cities provides an excellent complement to coastal Ecuador vacations or a Galapagos travel adventure. Whether one pursues these sites as part of a longer trip or is just passing through on the way to additional destinations in neighboring countries, the splendor of these highland cities is sure to take any Ecuador travel itinerary up a notch.
For information on bus travel from Quito, Ecuador, be sure to check the bus schedules in the Terminal Terrestre, Quito's main bus terminal, at least a day before departure to other cities. Travel by bus is the easiest, most convenient, and most affordable way to reach these destinations in the Andes mountains
Comments