About
Ecuador is a country on the Pacific coast of South America, and it packs a surprising range of landscapes into a fairly compact territory. Visitors can move from the humid Amazon rainforest in the east, across the high Andean mountains, down to the coastline, and out to the Galápagos Islands.
What draws visitors
- The Galápagos Islands, which lie offshore in the Pacific and are among the country's best-known destinations.
- The Amazon rainforest, reached from the eastern side of the country and suited to travellers interested in wildlife and jungle scenery.
- The Andes, with mountain landscapes running through the centre of the country.
- The Pacific coast, which gives the country its western edge and a different pace from the highlands.
Planning a visit
Because the country moves between such different environments, a trip often works best when it is built around one or two regions rather than all of them at once. The Galápagos, the Amazon and the Andes each need their own time and their own kind of preparation, so it helps to decide early which of them matter most to you. Travel between regions takes time, and the variety of landscapes is itself a reason to plan a route with some care.
Ecuador suits travellers who enjoy nature and changing scenery. If you are considering a trip to South America and want a destination where the ocean, the mountains and the rainforest all sit within one country, Ecuador is worth a closer look.
