Explore Ecuador

Ecuador might be one of the smallest countries in the Americas, but it’s arguably the most diverse.The enormous proliferation and impressive variety of Ecuador’s plants, trees, flowers, animals, birds, sea life and even its native people are directly attributed to the Four Regions of Ecuador:

La Costa - The Pacific Coast - Discover the bounty of ocean-front fun, including miles and miles of golden beaches, seaside hiking, whalewatching tours, deep sea fishing adventures, surf towns, waterfront cities and sunsets galore.

Amazon Jungle Basin of La Oriente - Perhaps one of the most mysterious, mystical places on earth, the fragile Amazon exposes ancient, curious secrets about the earth, its plants, animals and indiginous cultures. The Amazon begins in Ecuador...

Andes Mountains in La Sierra - The views from Ecuador's highest peaks — not to mention the little hamlets in between — epitomize the extraordinary extremes Ecuador offers in the way of climate, topography, ecology and culture.

Galapagos Islands - A mere 600 miles west of the country, these famous islands provide a playground for tourists worldwide not to mention the incredible number of endemic animals, sea life and birds who live here. 

Here's a neat "factoid": Conservation International ranks Ecuador alongside the United States, Mexico, Australia and Brazil as one of the 17 mega-diverse countries throughout the globe. Excitingly, it takes first place in the world for the most species per area with 9.2 distinct species for every .3 square miles. The Four Regions of Ecuador sit within just a little over 168 square miles. Their closeness, as well as the drastic differences in the altitudes and climes among each region, breed and sustain Ecuador’s extreme biodiversity.

Ecuador is equally intriguing thanks to its rich culture, rooted in a diversity of ethnic groups. Many of these people still practice and live according to ancient traditions. Meanwhile, Ecuador boasts all the modern amenities and comforts of a contemporary world. Within a single day, it’s possible to breakfast at a five-star hotel in Quito — the country’s historic capital — and travel horseback through the rugged Andes later that afternoon.