The country of Ecuador, which is just about the size of Nevada, is an outdoor adventure’s dream. Located on the Pacific Ocean Coast, Ecuador is the smallest country in South America, but has some of the most spectacular vistas in the world. Visitors to Ecuador, located in the Andean Highlands, find rugged mountains, volcanic terrain, and rain forests as dense as any in the equatorial regions. Mountaineers and hikers are drawn to Cotopaxi National Park, south of the capital city Quito because of its challenging landscape and highest active volcano in the world. Historians, anthropologists, and archeologists like to visit the indigenous and historical sites to learn about South American history. Scuba divers and sailors are drawn to the coast of Ecuador along with paddlers­, whether canoes or kayakers, who love the rivers that run off the Andes Mountains. Because eastern Ecuador is in the environmentally sensitive Amazon Basin, the country is a haven for eco-tourists. Some Ecuadorian visitors prefer to travel with guides and outfitters rather that exploring alone.

Lodging is interesting in Ecuador and includes a wide range of hotels, haciendas, resorts, and rustic lodges in the rainforests. Surprisingly, there are several very interesting and popular spas and health resorts in Ecuador where visitors can select treatments that can last a day or an entire vacation.

Because Ecuador is a friendly Spanish speaking country with opportunities for many adventures, it hosts many study-abroad and intensive Spanish programs for high school and college students. While in Ecuador, all visitors must go to the Galapagos Islands, the archipelago off the Ecuadorian Pacific Coast where visitors can follow Darwin’s path and learn about the unusual wildlife as well as scuba dive. Travelers to the Galapagos Islands can fly or cruise there from Ecuador.

Because Ecuador is squeezed between Peru and Columbia, there are lots of travel options. However, before traveling to South America, always check on visa requirements.