@@nicholasqualitza5470 so far my favorite part has been staying at Secret Garden in Cotopaxi- it’s this all inclusive hostel that’s super secluded and just stunning! Stay tuned for a video from there soon
Don't miss Cuena, known as the Athens of Ecuador, and Loja the cultural and music center of the country. The tap water in Cuenca, Loja, and Vilcabamba, all in the southern sierra, is very drinkable. In fact, the water from Podocarpus (the national park between Loja and Vilcabamba is bottled, and sold all over South America. There are two bottling plants outside Vilcabamba.
Such great info. I think people have certain stigmas about South America that we hear on news or whatever, great to hear from someone there how amazing it is. Thanks for all the info, very helpful.
I completely agree- I feel like the media tries to portray it in a very negative light. I’m happy to be able to share the realities of South America with others😊😊 thanks for watching ♥️
The Galapagos are quite the sight, hope you can visit, although pricey in the end, it’s quite worth it. We were lucky to visit in July during our vacation to Ec. Enjoy!
Thank you! Yeah we didn’t end up going to the Galapagos since it was so expensive. But hope to go back one day! Everywhere else we went during our 6 weeks in Ecuador was truly spectacular!
Awesome info thanks! Was just watching a video before this about an underground cave system in Ecuador that houses an ancient "metal library" which seems super cool and there seems to be at least one group of explorers with pure intentions trying to figure out the mystery. Very interesting stuff.
Great video! South America has been on my bucket list of places to travel. I will have to add Ecuador to the list of places to visit if I ever make it down there.
Guayaquil is beautiful, you have to visit it, don't listen to people. There is crime all over the world. We are very fortunate here in that unlike North America, we don't have to worry about school shootings mall shootings, car jacking, home invasions etc...Hope that helps and have a great day!
@@SheRunTheWorld The issue is that since it's the major port, there is some cartel influence there. But it's easy enough to not go into rough neighborhoods, just like Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore, New York, LA, etc.
I wanted to add this because I felt that some clarification was needed, especially if you're a 'foodie'....Ecuador is NOT known for its cuisine. There are some interesting items, and you will find greater usage of seafood on the coast (naturally), but by and large Ecuadorian food uses a limited range of seasonings, and Ecuadorians in general do NOT like spicey hot food. What someone in the states might consider mild, here it's thought of as hot! I've lived here for several years, and have tried several of the traditional cuisines that the peoples here love, but in my opinion it tends to be bland and underseasoned. I do like the food, but it tends to be one of many things that visitors get disappointed over.
Oh wow very interesting point!!! Cuz I found the exact opposite. It was super flavorful and my favorite cuisine in all of South America so far!! Still have yet to try Peruvian food in Peru which I’ve heard is amazing. But compared to Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia I loved Ecuadorian food most!!
Great video. Very informative. I will be going to Quito and surrounding areas. Jan & Feb...rainy season. Is it thunderstorm, pouring rain or constant drizzle?
Thanks so much, I’m glad you found it helpful! At least when I was in Quito for the month of January this year it was cloudy in the morning and then pouring rain in the afternoon for a few hours. Not constant. So it wasn’t too bad!
I'm going to Ecuador in 10 days with World Challenge, we'll be there for a month - our itinerary includes a wide range of places + activities, but I'm genuinely scared for when we visit Guayaquil...
You’ll absolutely love Ecuador- it’s incredible!! I honestly hope Guayaquil is one of those places that people say is worse than it actually is. But I hope you stay safe & enjoy your travels! :)
In the Southern Andes - Cuenca, south to Loja, and Vilcabamba, the water is clean, In fact, Vilcabamba has two bottling companies and the water is sold all over S America...
I live in Ecuador for a long time and I would like to comment on a few things. The park on the Equator is not on the actual Equator. Best to bring your GPS with you. When you have an earhquake, which Ecuador does every day, the earth moves, along with the Equator. Water: I have drinking public water along with bottles water. Public water in North Ecuador is quite cold and better than water in Florida where I lived a long time ago. Do not be afraid of the water, especially north of Quito. Guayaquil is a combination of New York City, Las Angeles and Miami, so treat it the same. Temperatures: I live 18 miles north of the Equator at 7,900 feet. Nights are cold usually 45-55. Days usually 65-75. The Pacific coast is like Miami temps. Salinas looks like Miami. I have traveled the World and Ecuador was my pick. I love it. The most beautiful of everywhere I have been on Earth.
Honestly I’d say 2 full weeks to hit all the main attractions (not including the Galapagos)! Add an extra week if you want to do the Galapagos/coast and even another one if you want to head south around the Cuenca area! It’s a small country, but seriously so much to see!
Do not say you are an expat that is something we frown upon you are migrants like all others around the world please keep that in mind if you want to be liked.
Couple of things: 1) no, you aren’t standing on the equator in that small town on the outskirts of Quito. The actual equator is a good 40 km away. It was mismarked on a survey, but they built that huge pylon tower - which you failed to mention you can go in and experience as well as get a fantastic view - and they’re not going to move it. 2) Guayaquil is a big city. Big cities have big city crime. Stay in your lane, don’t go to sketchy places and nothing will ever happen to you. The actual dangers could be in some of the mountain areas with larger indigenous populations. More expats in area like around Loja have been the subject of home invasions and a mother from Colorado was recently murdered near there (I can’t remember the actual town, Riocamba?). The indigenous people are not liking the gentrification of hippie expats buying into their sleepy towns. 3) don’t tip. There’s probably a tip added like an extra tax in your bill. Stop tipping, unless you have a rapport with an individual that’s really going the extra mile for you. Service is great, but it is not a tipping culture. 4) I laughed at you saying “pack for all kinds of weather”. Wtf was that about? The coast is hot, the mountains are just cool. A tshirt or golf shirt in Cuenca during the day is adequate and perhaps a light jacket in the evening. Same for Quito. You only see snow in the distance and if you really want to hike there, then a couple layers. For the average tourist, light jacket and regular Fall or Spring in the mountains. It’s just not that cold. They never see snow fall anywhere.
Private eye magazine June 2023. Issue 1600 guayaquill article. 400 executions arak prison. Including be headings..others were set on fire...shocking. Arak prison.. Also..Roman Catholic Spainish language..but no ATM for cash..or jobs.....who runs the government and councils.? And banks. ...Do not spend...save.....help Ecuador by creating jobs and liaising with banks. Why only one cash machine..USA politics or unsocialised humans. It's July 2023. Within the last 2 months..says private eye magazine. Britian
Thanks for the warning! When I was there I loved my time traveling there for 6 weeks- beautiful country and never felt like I was in danger. But I appreciate you sharing the warning with others :)
