Why Ecuador?
Ecuador is a country that quietly overwhelms — and then never lets go. It is not the most famous travel destination in South America, not the largest, and not the cheapest. But it is by far the most diverse country per square kilometer on the entire continent. Four fundamentally different ecosystems, a vibrant indigenous culture, and the unique wildlife of the Galápagos Islands make Ecuador one of the most fascinating travel destinations in the world.
- Galápagos Islands — The archipelago that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution is one of the last natural paradises on earth. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions show no fear of humans. An experience that is nowhere else in the world.
- Avenue of the Volcanoes (Avenida de los Volcanes) — Alexander von Humboldt called this double row of over 30 volcanoes the "Avenue of the Volcanoes." Cotopaxi (5,897 m) is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, Chimborazo (6,263 m) is the point on earth furthest from the center of the earth — even further than Everest.
- Amazon Rainforest — Ecuador's Oriente is home to one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world. In Yasuní National Park, more tree species live on a single hectare than in all of North America.
- Colonial Splendor — Quito's old town is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site ever (1978). Gold-adorned churches, imposing plazas, and a vibrant city culture at an altitude of 2,850 meters.
- Indigenous Diversity — 14 different nationalities and peoples live in Ecuador, from the Quechua in the highlands to the Shuar in the Amazon to the Tsáchila on the coast. The markets of Otavalo are among the most colorful in South America.
- Pacific Coast — Endless beaches, whale watching (June–September), surfing in Montañita, and one of the most diverse seafood cuisines on the continent. From party beaches to secluded bays, everything is included.
- Compact Size — Ecuador is smaller than Germany, and the main regions are only a few bus hours apart. In two to three weeks, you can experience the highlands, rainforest, coast, and Galápagos.
- US Dollar as Currency — Since 2000, the US dollar has been the official currency. No currency exchange needed, no exchange rate worries — making travel planning significantly easier.
Ecuador is the antidote to monotony: In the morning, you hike through cloud forests, in the afternoon, you bathe in hot springs at the foot of a volcano, in the evening, you eat ceviche on the Pacific coast. And then you fly to the Galápagos Islands and forget for a few days that a world outside exists.
