Ecuador Country Bundle: suggestions, stories and tips
Main content and contributions about Ecuador on WorldSupporter
Ecuador: Updates & Travel
Travel in Ecuador?
- In Ecuador you will find the colorful markets, the Amazon area where you can make beautiful jungle trips, and the coastal areas with quiet, traditional fishing villages. There are also very lively seaside resorts where you can really let loose. You can also visit the Galapagos Islands: this costs a penny extra, but the beautiful surroundings are worth it. You can swim with dolphins, and also see other animals such as sea lions, penguins, large turtles, pelicans and iguanas. The underwater world is beautiful
- In Ecuador you will find the colorful and now world-famous Indian markets, nice for souvenirs and a cultural experience.
- Between Quito and Cuenca in the valley you will find many mountains and volcanoes. The most famous volcano with eternal snow is the Cotopaxi (5,897m). The Cotopaxi National Park is also located here. The snow-capped Chimborazo (6,310m) is a challenge for mountain climbers.
- From Cuenca you can go to the Inca Pirca, the most important and best preserved ruin from the Inca era.
- In the east, the Oriente, lies the Amazon region with many species of flora and fauna. There are various options for an Amazon trip. Make sure you are well informed when choosing your trip.
- By train you can go from Alausi to Huigran along the scary, but fantastic, Devil's Nose Route.
- On the Galapagos Islands you can snorkel with sharks, swim with sea lions and penguins, admire the many iguanas, see the famous Darwin finches and experience what it is like when animals have little fear of people. Because this comes with a hefty price tag, the number of boats that sail you and your fellow passengers along the islands remains somewhat limited. You are certainly not the only one, but you do not have to queue. If you can't afford the Galapagos, there is a reasonable alternative in the form of 'little Galapagos' (Isla de la Plata, near Manta on the coast of Ecuador) known as the Galapagos Islands for the poor.
- The capital Quito is located in the Andes Valley. Here you can visit the old city center, the Casa de la Cultura museum, stroll through the crowded market, visit the colonial churches or play volleyball in the city park.
- In Baños, a very relaxed village in a beautiful area, you will find hot springs, an ice-cold waterfall on the edge of the Tungurahua volcano, beautiful horse riding routes through the mountains for experienced and inexperienced riders, hiking trails and mountain bike trails. If you have trouble with the altitude in Quito, you can easily get used to it in Baños, which is located a bit lower.
- North of Quito lies Otavalo where the famous Saturday market is held, the meeting place for the colorful Indian population. Pan flutes, sweaters, caps, scarves and bags change hands and eventually end up in Europe. If you travel a little further, you can make the unforgettable trip from Ibarra to Esmaraldas.
- There are also very lively seaside resorts where you can party, for example in Montañita.
- Be prepared that on the night buses that travel long distances, the drivers sometimes drive like crazy. People are also often robbed on these night buses. So be on your guard.
- If you are going on a jungle tour through the rainforest, the rainy season can sometimes spoil the fun.
- If you do not speak Spanish, it can be difficult to find your way. English is not spoken everywhere and even Spanish is sometimes difficult for the native population!
- Be prepared that the Galapagos Islands are fantastic and at the same time a drain on your wallet.
Updates Ecuador
- More about Ecuador, updates and contributions, see the link below.
What are typical Ecuadoran habits, food customs, recipes and philosophies in Ecuador?
What are the customs in Ecuador regarding food?
- In Ecuador, people mainly eat a lot of rice, potatoes, pasta, chicken and cabbage. Often spicy but not spicy. The atmosphere in restaurants is often excellent because of the large number of musical groups that come in to perform their skills on the pan flute. If you are vegetarian or vegan, it can be difficult to find meals in Ecuador. A tip, be sure to specify what you do eat (i.e. ask for a plate of rice, beans and salad), that works better than specifying what you don't eat.
What are the best recipes in Ecuador?
- Arroz con Pollo is a dish of rice with chicken.
- Lomo saltado is beef sautéed in onion and tomato with rice.
- Churrasco is beef with fried egg.
- Aji is the tangy sauce that you get with everything separately.
- Cuy Chactado is a traditional Inca dish and should be tried by every traveler. While doing so, get over the fact that it involves grilled guinea pig!
- Arepas are corn pancakes with cheese.
- Fanesca is a dish of different grains, corn, potatoes and stockfish.
- Llapingachos: Small fried cookies made of mashed potatoes and cheese.
- Locro: Soup with potatoes, onions and cheese. Often served with avocado.
- Tropical fruits: maracuya (passion fruit), bananas of all shapes and sizes, guava, pineapple, mango, chirimoya, naranjilla (sour orange).
What are the best drinks in Ecuador?
- Beer is available everywhere. Club and Pilsener are the Ecuadorian brands.
- Soft drinks can also be found everywhere both well known and unknown brands.
- The fresh fruit juices are delicious.
- Enjoy a delicious fresh milkshake with tropical fruits.
- An excellent thirst quencher is the Piaco, a drink made from lemon.
What are notable holidays and festivals in ...?
- New Year is lots of fire, papier-mâché cars and figures: one big party!
- Carnival: nice and colorful with water fights and fruit and flower festivals.
- Dia de los Inocentes: festival in Cuenca, Nov. 6, a hilarious parade of dressed-up men and boys that the whole city comes to see.
- All Souls' Day: Nov. 2, in celebration people lay flower bouquets in cemeteries.
What are the remarkable habits in Ecuador?
- Ecuador is known for its strong family ties and sense of community. Family plays a central role in daily life, with extended family gatherings and a deep sense of respect and care for the elderly. Cultural festivals, such as Inti Raymi (the Sun Festival) and Carnival, are of great significance and are celebrated lavishly throughout the country.
- Social norms and mutual communication: A little courtesy will get you a long way! A greeting is a must when you start a conversation. Whether it is short or long - say hello, shake hands and between men and women, a single kiss on the cheek is sometimes exchanged. Expect to use the same greeting when saying goodbye.
- Etiquettes & traditions: Ecuador is a long of traditions and is still fairly old-fashioned. Apart from greetings, respect for personal space is very important. So be sure to keep an appropriate distance during interactions unless you have developed a strong bond. People also value appropriate dress, especially at religious or business gatherings. Hospitality also plays an important role in Ecuador.
- Eating and drinking habits: meals are huge social occasions and can be long. As crazy as it sounds, don't arrive on time when you are invited somewhere. Always arrive a little later and make sure you are neatly dressed out of respect to the hoste. What does agree with us is that Ecuadorians say bon appetit (buen provecho) before a meal when dining out with friends. If you are invited home, the host says buen provecho to invite you to start eating. Food is always eaten with cutlery.
Where to study in Ecuador, do an internship, do volunteer work or look for a job in Ecuador?
Why study, do an internship, volunteer or work temporarily in Ecuador?
- Because it is relatively safe depending on where you are.
- Because it is a great opportunity to improve your Spanish.
- Because you will find rich and ancient cultural diversity.
- Because you can gain very specific knowledge.
- Because you can make a deeper connection with Ecuadorian culture and local peoples.
What should you pay attention to?
- That you end up with a good organization and that your money goes to the right purposes.
- That you stay aware of local security risks and take good care of your belongings.
- that you adapt your clothing to local standards and climate.
Why live in Ecuador, why emigrate to Ecuador or stay for a long time?
Why should you live in Ecuador as an expat, emigrant or working nomad?
- because there is a great diversity of landscapes and therefore something for everyone.
- because the climate is temperate in many places. So you can easily cool down, or seek out the heat when you want to.
- because there is a lot of cultural heritage to discover.
- because it is one of the more affordable countries in South America.
- because Ecuadorians are incredibly friendly and welcoming and there are also several expat communities.
What should you pay attention to?
- that you know some words of Spanish.
- that prices can vary considerably between cities and towns.
- that there are health risks.
- that you are aware of the local culture, traditions and customs.
- build a network to help you integrate more easily into society.
Ecuador: selection of contributions by WorldSupporters - Bundle
Content about Ecuador shared by WorldSupporters
Ecuador: selectie van bijdragen van Wereldsupporters
Selectie van bijdragen van Wereldsupporters over Ecuador
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