Love life, experience colourful Ecuador
“You can’t be at the pole and the equator at the same time. You have to choose. And I have high hopes of doing that, too, and it will probably be colour.” – Vincent van Gogh –
Discover the secret of Latin America. Choosing a journey here at the equator is equal to choosing colour in your life. Colour in cultures and landscapes. All aspects of Latin America unite in Ecuador. Ecuador is home to close to 17 million inhabitants; a very diverse population with many different ethnic groups, each with its own culture and history. The country also has an important creative tradition and has greatly influenced art in Latin America. Traditional artisan crafts in the field of weaving, leather, carvings, hats and jewellery are still very much alive in the streets and local markets today.
A country full of vibrant sensations and flavours
For nature lovers and bird watchers, Ecuador is without a doubt one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. In this relatively small country, comparable to the size of Italy, you will find the largest biodiversity on the planet. It is no surprise Ecuador lives by its motto: “Ama la Vida – love life!” It was the first country to recognise Rights of Nature in its Constitution.
Discover Ecuador, discover life!
“The various groups of people who have come to settle in Ecuador and the country’s many indigenous groups have all contributed to Ecuadorian culture as it is today”
Contemporary Ecuadorian culture has its roots in a rich and multi-ethnic history. The population of Ecuador is similar to the size of the Netherlands and very mixed in ethnic terms. The different people who have settled in Ecuador and the country’s many indigenous groups have all contributed to today’s Ecuadorian culture.
With a population reaching over 2 million, the Andes Quichua are by far the largest group. However, the Andes has many smaller groups such as the Caranqui, the Otavaleños and the Cayambi, to name just a few. The Amazon region is as rich in indigenous cultures as the highlands. In the rainforest Shamanic traditions are respected by the Huaorani and Zaparo, among many others.
In addition to the varied indigenous cultures, Ecuador has a flourishing Mestizo culture and a large Afro-Ecuadorian culture, descendants of African slaves who worked on the sugar plantations on the coast in the sixteenth century. They are known for their marimba music and dance festivals.
With its position on the equator, the climate of Ecuador is mainly determined by the variety of landscapes and differences in elevation. Ecuador has a dry and a wet season.
In terms of weather, it can be very hot and humid in the coastal area of Ecuador. You will find genuine tropical temperatures above 30° C. There is a rainy season in this region between December and April. During this time, you can expect heavy showers that alternate with a clear blue sky.
When visiting “La Sierra”, you will enjoy warm days and colder nights. During the day the temperature is between 20° C and 25° C, at night it drops to 10° C and at high altitudes it can of course be below zero. There is little variation in temperature throughout the year, but here too the rainy season has its influence. April is the wettest month, while the dry season runs from June to September.
This area has the kind of climate that you would expect from a country on the equator. In “La Selva” it is hot and humid with constant rainfall throughout the year. In fact, it rains here for most months of the year, although it is usually a little drier in August and from December to March. The temperature is the same as the coastal region, between 25° C and 35° C.
“Imagine what your journey of a lifetime would look like”
The options to choose from in Ecuador are virtually endless. You can stay in luxury or humble accommodations, explore local markets, discover contemporary culture and history, enjoy nature in silence or turn your vacation into an adrenaline infused sporting event. The journeys described below are easily combined with a cruise expedition through the Galápagos Islands.
Be inspired and contact us. We are happy to help you chart your ideas and wishes. By listening to your wants and needs, we will create the journey of your dreams. We curate tailor-made, truly individual travel experiences to your heart’s desire.
This journey takes you to the soul of colourful Ecuador. You will visit colonial Quito, stay in a luxurious lodge in the most beautiful cloud forest of the country and you will go on an adventure at two grandiose haciendas in the Andes mountains.
A journey in which you combine your passion for golf with your love for nature and culture. You play beautiful golf courses, explore tropical forests, enjoy historic haciendas in the Andes, active volcanoes and the most beautiful colonial cities in South America: Quito and Cuenca, both declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You end your trip with a 4-day expedition cruise in the Galápagos Islands.
This beautiful, adventurous journey will introduce you to all facets of Ecuador. Nature and an active holiday predominate. You will explore the Amazon, mountain bike among the volcanoes and descend along refreshing waterfalls. The chosen hotels are basic but very good and attractive.
Aves Travels is your specialist for birding holidays to Ecuador. We offer both group tours as well as bespoke, individual programs, in which you can explore all the stunning natural areas of this country. This example tour is very suitable for novice birders on a first visit to Ecuador, but also interesting for the more experienced. In addition to trips aimed at spotting unique bird species, we also offer holidays where you combine bird watching with photography. Read about this in our blog “Exclusive birding and photography tours”. Learn more.
Aves Travels continuously seeks to amaze our guests with unique travel experiences. Aboard your intimate, 16-passenger, luxury yacht you will experience a unique variety of nature ranging from mangroves, cloud forests, pristine beaches to uninhabited islands equal to Galápagos atmosphere, vibrant fishing villages, local culture and exquisite gastronomy. This exclusive journey will take you to places that are extremely difficult to reach overland, making it truly an experience of a lifetime.
The best option to be connected is to buy a local SIM card. WhatsApp in particular is widely used in Ecuador; you will regularly receive free MB’s to use WhatsApp when topping up your card and many bars and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi. Note that you will certainly not always have a connection and in villages the internet can be very slow.
Tipping is very common in Ecuador and an important part of the income for restaurant service, taxi drivers, guides etc. As a guideline, in restaurants you can consider approximately 10% of the bill as a gratuity. In some places the service charge will already be included and stated on the bill.
Type A and B sockets are used in Ecuador. This is a plug with two flat pins that you may already recognize from the United States or Canada. Voltage is 120 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.
