Ecuador
The Frigate Bird: Pirate Bird of the Galapagos
A group of six bachelors are spotted sitting together. They seem like friends hanging out socially, but really they’re all trying to pick up a lady, and competition is fierce. Through the posing and showing off, occasionally the bravado takes over and the men resort to spats of violence. Most striking on these gentlemen, the… Read Full Post
New Ecuador Entry Requirements (updated)
*UPDATE* As of July 2018 the law requiring tourists to have proof of health insurance has been modified and is no longer required. Effective September 2017, the Ecuadorian government will now require all tourists to carry proof of health insurance that covers them during their stay in Ecuador. While the government has yet to issue… Read Full Post
Grassroots Conservation at Paz de las Aves Bird Refuge in Mindo, Ecuador
Though Ecuador is a relatively tiny country, slightly smaller than the state of Nevada, it is home to a tremendous amount of biodiversity and natural beauty. From Marine Iguanas lounging on the volcanic Galapagos Islands off the Pacific Coast, to Andean Condors soaring over the central “Avenue of Volcanoes,” to Spider Monkeys hanging in the… Read Full Post
Discover Quito: not just a Galapagos stopover
Your once-in-a-lifetime Galapagos itinerary will invariably include at least one night in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. More than likely you’ll spend two nights there – one before your Galapagos transfer and one after – so it really makes sense to take the time to discover Quito. Discover Quito’s geography Quito is the closest capital… Read Full Post
For the best views of Quito, ride the teleferico
If you have some free time in Quito (as I did on my last visit) you may wish to get a bird’s eye view of the city by taking a ride up the teleferico (gondola) to be near the summit of the Pichincha Volcano. From the top you can take in the best views of… Read Full Post
Zen Birding in South America – Macaws in Peru
While preparing for a recent trip to the Mindo Cloud Forest in Ecuador, one of the most bird species-rich areas of the world, with over 450 species of birds, I stumbled across a book by David M. White and Susan M. Guyette entitled Zen Birding which reminded me of my experiences with macaws in Peru. … Read Full Post
A Stay at an Amazon Jungle Lodge (La Selva)
Earlier this month I was able to embark on a adventurous trip into the Ecuadorian Amazon Rain Forest. The three best words I could use to describe the experience are unforgettable, unique, and pristine. To begin, I flew into Quito the night before my journey into the Amazon. I did this because the flight into… Read Full Post
Phone number changes in Ecuador and Chile
If you have friends or family in Ecuador or Chile, or if you travel there for business or pleasure, you might want to make yourself aware of the changes that have been going on to the phone systems in those countries. The following will help explain the changes that have been made. Ecuador As of… Read Full Post
Cuenca, Ecuador: A Lot More Than Pretty Churches
A comment I’ve now heard more than once about Cuenca, a city in southern Ecuador, is that it is “Ecuador’s Cusco.” The comparison is apt, because both cities have thriving colonial centers and histories that long pre-date the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. The diversity of people that you see in both places reflects the… Read Full Post
Antisana Reserve: Great 1 Day Galapagos Extension
If you are doing a Galapagos cruise and would like to add an extra day to see a bit more of Ecuador, the magnificent Antisana Ecological Reserve is a strong contender for “best day trip” outside of Quito. The two most popular day trips from Quito are to Mount Cotopaxi National Park (famous for its… Read Full Post