We recently talked about Tamara's trip to the Galapagos but today we are talking more about the logistics about traveling to Ecuador and some travel tips. Tamara spent 17 nights in Ecuador, including 5 nights in the Galapagos and found it a warm and welcoming country with beautiful and diverse landscapes. Amazing Ecuador helped Tamara organize her trip.

Episode Highlights

• Most flights from the U.S. come into Quito or Guayaquil
• It is only 3.5 hours from Miami
• There are many regions including the Cloud Forest, Rainforest, volcanoes and mountains, National Parks, Galapagos, and more
• Tamara spent: 5 nights in the Galapagos, 1 night at Hacienda La Danesa, 2 nights in Cuenca, 1 night in Cotopaxi National Park, 3 nights in Quito, 2 nights in the Cloud Forest at the Mashpi Lodge, 2 nights at Hacienda Zuleta
• It helps to work with someone to figure out your priorities and build an itinerary around your interests
• Generally you want to spend at least two to three nights in each place
• Cuenca is a UNESCO heritage city with plenty of outdoor adventure nearby too
• Cotopaxi is at a higher elevation, making hikes challenging
• If you just have a week, fly in and out of Guayaquil and do the Galapagos and Hacienda La Danesa
• Safety - you need to be very careful after dark in Quito and other cities and beware of pickpockets. Don't walk around after dark, especially alone
• Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as their official currency but most places also take credit cards but you will want small bills for tipping and the handicraft markets
• Many of the hotels are all-inclusive with meals and some activities
• Ecuador is a huge exporter of roses and through some regions you will see many roadside stands of 25-50 roses for less than $5
• Tamara recommends getting a driver because the roads are not very well marked, some aren't in the best condition, Google Maps isn't reliable, and drivers are very aggressive
• There are a range of four star boutique hotels and luxury hotels
• Ecuadorian food is very fresh and utilizes year-round produce of veggies and fruit
• Most meals start with a soup and then have a salad or vegetables. Fish and ceviche is quite popular. Quinoa is a popular grain
• You shouldn't drink the tap water in Ecuador but the produce at good restaurants and hotels are washed in filtered water
• Guinea pig is also popular in Ecuador as it is in Peru
• Chocolate and coffee are also grown in Ecuador and very popular
• Ecuador is the most densely populated country in South America
• If you have liked Costa Rica or Belize, you will probably also like Ecuador

Related Episodes:

• Galapagos cruise
• Mother-daughter trip to Peru
• Winelands of Chile
• Chile's Atacama Desert