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]]>Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila
Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila celebrates Andean indigenous culture with artifacts, objects, and artworks. The building that houses museums was designed by renowned finger painter Ortega Maila and contained a variety of his original works.
Pululahua Volcano
One of the reasons why Pululahua Volcano is a hidden gem is that most people don’t want to invest the effort to get there. You will need to take a cable car and then embark on a hike to eventually get to the top. However, the panoramic views are well worth it.
Museo Franciscano del Padre Almeida
This small and intimate museum is undeservedly overlooked by tourists. While not looking spectacular from the outside, it houses an impressive collection of artworks, including Hieronymus Bosch’s “A Passage from this Life to Eternity” and Miguel de Santiago’s unusual painting of the Last Supper. The museum also has several frescoes, some of which have only been uncovered recently.
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]]>Middle of the World
One of the things this country is best known for is its location at the equator, and this monument near Quito celebrates that part of its heritage, allowing visitors to stand with a foot in each hemisphere.
Stunning Architecture
Architecture lovers will be impressed by Quito’s many stunning colonial buildings, starting with the Basilica of the National Vow and Church of the Society of Jesus.
La Ronda
If we had to pick the most iconic street in Quito, it would definitely be La Ronda. It was once home to painters and poets and its bohemian spirit lives to this day. It’s the best place to try some local food, listen to live music, and dance to salsa.
Amazing Museums
Quito is home to several amazing museums where you can explore Ecuador’s rich history and culture, including the Museum of the City and the Intiñan Site Museum.
Beautiful Nature
The natural beauty of Quito and its surrounding area knows no bounds. You shouldn’t go home before taking a ride on TelefériQo cable car overlooking Pichincha Volcano.
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]]>The post 3 Reason Why Bartolome Island is One of Galapagos’ Must-See Destinations appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Beautiful Landscapes
Bartolomé Island covers a relatively tiny area of just 0.5 square miles, but that doesn’t stop it from being home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the archipelago. It was formed on the grounds of an extinct volcano, and its red, orange, and green volcanic formations have to be seen to be believed.
Pinnacle Rock
Speaking of Bartolomé’s stunning landscapes and unusual rock formations, it doesn’t get better than Pinnacle Rock. It’s one of the most picture-perfect attractions in all of Galápagos, formed by an eroded volcanic cone.
Impressive Biodiversity
Bartolomé’s biodiversity is as impressive as its breathtaking landscapes. In addition to being home to a small colony of Galápagos penguins, sea lions, green sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, rays, and many different kinds of colorful tropical fish can be found in its waters. This makes Bartolomé an extremely popular snorkeling destination.
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]]>Galápagos National Park
Located off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands are one of its must-see attractions. They were established as the country’s first national park, in an attempt to protect its unique wildlife. Galápagos is home to 18 main islands, with Santa Cruz Island being the most popular among tourists.
(@e_kaspersky)Cajas National Park
Ecuador is home to several breathtaking high-mountain natural areas, and none of them compares to Cajas National Park. It’s a popular area for hiking and camping, but it will also take your breath away with its abundance of wildlife and diverse flora.
Cotopaxi National Park
Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the entire world, is one of Ecuador’s top attractions and it borrows its name from this national park. It offers a wide range of trails, campsites, and lodges for adventurous travelers, in addition to amazing mountain views.
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]]>The post Ecuador is Worth the Visit for its Magnificent Lakes Alone appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Quilotoa Lake
If we had to pick a single lake that you have to visit while in Ecuador, Quilotoa would make the cut. This crater lake was formed by a collapse of the Quilotoa volcano hundreds of years ago and it’s now 250-meter-deep and filled with crystal clear waters in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Cuicocha Lake
Crater lakes are scattered all around Ecuador and Cuicocha also falls under that category. Its name literary translates as “guinea pig lake” since there are several tiny islands in the middle of its laguna and the largest one is shaped like a guinea pig.
(@elena_ecu)Yahuarcocha Lake
Unlike the previous two lakes, Yawarkucha aka “Blood Lake” wasn’t formed at the crater of a volcano. It was formed from glacial meltwater and it owes this name to a tragic battle that allegedly took place on its shores during the Inca Empire era in the 15th century.
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]]>This picture-perfect destination is heaven on Earth for adrenaline junkies, and you can find it in La Casa Del Arbol in Banos. You can visit this city by bus or car if you’re planning a road trip around Ecuador or join one of the tours by local travel agencies taking you to this spot.
Taking a ride on this swing may seem like a terrifying experience when you look at the photos, but don’t let that scare you. Despite the fact that the swing is located 2,600 meters above sea level, it actually hangs over a steep slope, making the ride less frightening.
If you need some help, guides can help you buckle up, push the swing, and take a photo so you can cherish your ride even more. After checking out the Swing at the End of the World, you should also take some time to explore the rest of La Casa Del Arbol. Tiny treehouse is one of its most popular attractions, but you should also consider taking a hike and enjoying its stunning natural surroundings.
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]]>Arts and Architecture
If you’re an art and architecture lover, Guayaquil won’t leave you disappointed. Its gothic cathedrals are some of its biggest architectural gems, but you should also explore the city’s cultural scene in its many museums.
Amazing Parks
Beautiful parks are scattered all around Guayaquil, and they allow you to discover the city’s natural beauty. Parque Histórico de Guayaquil and Parque Seminario are a good place to start.
(@sincerely_gsv)Family-Friendly
Guayaquil has many kid-friendly attractions that you can explore if you’re visiting with your family, starting with the La Perla Ferris wheel and Zoo El Pantanal.
Seafood Lovers
Guayaquil is home to Ecuador’s main port, and it goes without saying that it’s a great spot for fishing. You should make sure to try some of its most popular seafood dishes, including encebollado, ceviche, and cazuela.
Beautiful Boardwalks
Guayaquil simply wouldn’t be the same without its beautiful seaside boardwalks. Malecón 2000 is the first one that comes to mind, and it’s home to some of the city’s best restaurants, shops, and recreational spots.
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]]>The post All About the Galapagos Islands appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Kicker Rock a.k.a. Sleeping Lion
This rock is actually one of the many islands in the Galapagos and is named for the way it resembles a sleeping lion. It’s considered one of the best places to go diving and perfect for seeing wildlife.
Snorkeling
Grab your wetsuit and head out with any of the local snorkeling companies for a fun day of diving. The water is inhabited by turtles, dolphins, reef sharks, and more that you can see up close and personal.
Take a Boat Tour Around the Islands
For those who don’t love swimming but still want to see all there is to see in the Galapagos, boat tours are available. You can take day trips to single islands or stretch your trip out into a week-long cruise. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of jumping dolphins from your boat.
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]]>Chimborazo
There are a couple of things that make Chimborazo special, mostly with passionate climbers and hikers. With a peak elevation of 6,263 meters, it’s Ecuador’s highest mountain, but it’s also believed to have the farthest point on the Earth’s surface from its center due to its location near the planet’s equatorial bulge.
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is located near Ecuador’s capital of Quito, so it grew into one of the most popular day-trip destinations to explore from this city. It’s heaven on Earth for nature lovers because you can explore everything from hiking trails to equatorial glaciers during your visit.
Cayambe
The third highest peak in this South American country will win you over with its snow-capped slopes. Adventure seekers and mountaineers visiting Ecuador can’t resist its charm, despite the fact it’s often described as one of the country’s most challenging climbing spots.
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]]>The post The Churches of Quito, Ecuador Are True Architectural Gems appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Basilica of the National Vow
One of Quito’s top tourist attractions, this is actually the largest neo-Gothic church in all of South America. The basilica was consecrated in 1988, almost a century after the construction began, but it’s still technically unfinished and the legend has it the end of the world will dawn upon us if it’s ever done.
The Church and Convent of St. Francis
This charming church has been around since the 16th century, and it shares the name with the Plaza de San Francisco where it’s located. It’s part of one of the largest historical structures of colonial Latin America since it features 13 cloisters, three churches, and a giant courtyard.
The Church of the Society of Jesus
Another religious building that you shouldn’t miss while in Quito, this Jesuit church is a huge hit with architecture lovers. In addition to being one of the best examples of Spanish Baroque architecture in Latin America, it’s also impossible to miss thanks to its intricately decorated central nave.
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