Travel Articles: Ecuador

A mind blowing dive into the Ecuadorian Dream..... from trekking the lush paths and secluded waterways of the Amazon, to the awe-inspiring curiosity of the Galapagos Islands..... absolute heaven on Earth!

Happy Mother's Day! In celebration of the day's holiday, I thought I'd share one of my favorite mother-daughter trip journals. Adventure Life staff member, Julia Kocubinski, and her mom, Sue, took a trip to Ecuador's cloudforest, Quito, Banos, and the wildlife rich Galapagos Islands last November. Here's a highlight:

We snorkeled off the back of …

Tanner picked a trip to Ecuador and even though his older brother and dad did not want to go we had an amazing experience that no one will ever forget and we had it together!

Adventure trip and cloud forest excursion in September 2007 with Luis

My son and I had planned a trip to Yellowstone Park, but ultimately decided to take a trip that was like nothing we had expereince before. From Cotopaxi to the the Sacha Lodge, this trip exceeded our expectations. We made the right choice!

A truly special trip to share with my wonderful mom. Days in the highlands allowed us to explore the roots of the Andean cultures and remnants of the former Incan empire. Followed by a week on the islands that inspired Darwin and that still, to this day, house an incredible diversity of species and adventure.

Discover the highlights of Floreana Island in the Galapagos, from stunning beaches to unique wildlife encounters.

From the Highlands to the Islands we enjoyed two wonderful weeks exploring Ecuador's finest!

An exciting 2-day Ecuador land trip and an 8-day Galapagos cruise in December 2022.

In what has been considered a historic decision, Ecuador's Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of Indigenous groups, saying they have the right to refuse oil drilling, mining, and other extractive developments on their land.

My second time to Ecuador and first time to the Galapagos! My mom and I spent the first few days of our trip exploring Cotopaxi and the surrounding highlands in Ecuador before making our way to the Galapagos for an unforgettable cruise full of beautiful views and amazing experiences while snorkeling!

A non-stop, whirlwind experience that took us from the highlands of Ecuador to the islands of the Galapagos. We had the chance to stay in lovely haciendas, hike the rim of a beautiful volcanic crater lake, bargain for textiles at a local market, and soak in natural hot springs with some wonderful humans in the mainland. In the islands, we swam …

Our first trip to South America was quite an epic one. We traveled to the Ecuadorian Amazon and the Galapagos over about 10 days. Here's a little taste of our adventure!

A father - daughter trip to the Amazon and Galapagos!

We spent two full weeks flying, biking, swimming, hiking, driving and kayaking our way through Ecuador and the Galapagos. Our trip was one of extremes. We went from the huge capital city, Quito, to the barely inhabited Galapagos Islands. From sea level to nearly 19,000 feet above it. From snorkeling with sharks to relaxing in the natural hot …

One of our long-standing partners, Hacienda Zuleta, recently made an exciting announcement! Over 20 years ago, their foundation started making conservation efforts on behalf of the Andean Condor. This is a species that has become critically endangered in Ecuador. Hacienda Zuleta's long term dream was to produce chicks in captivity that …

Read all about the best times to visit Ecuador: the seasons, temperatures and rainfall for the Andes, Amazon, Coast & Galapagos Islands. Its equatorial location stabilizes temperatures year-round, with just minor seasonal variations from May to December.

Weather is, of course, unpredictable. However, it is good to be prepared for the possibilities! This article describes some of the common weather patterns in different regions of the country. Pack accordingly and get ready for a true adventure!

The Galapagos Islands are renowned for their biodiversity both on land and in the sea, but perhaps most of all for the incredible birds that call these islands their home. Endemic species like the Galapagos penguin, flightless cormorant, and blue-footed boobies soar in the company of albatrosses, frigatebirds, gulls, and other fascinating species.

Lizards, turtles, and tortoises characterize the Galapagos Islands. In fact, the Spanish word "Galapago" literally refers to the saddle shape of the giant tortoise's shell. And the endemic marine iguana is the only sea-going lizard, its features undeniable proof of Darwin's theory of evolution. The landscape is dominated by these ancient reptiles.

Strap on a snorkel & prepare to witness some of the most incredible marine life in the great blue ocean. The perfect balance of nutrient rich coldwater currents & warm tropical water make the Galapagos Islands a veritable playground for rainbows of tropical fish, sharks, sea lions, rays, gracefully diving birds, & other fascinating endemic species.

Over 600 miles from continental Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are home to few native mammals. You will, however, likely encounter the playful sea lions or fur seals when you snorkel or witness the majestic whales and agile dolphins surging out of the water alongside your yacht.

Geographically isolated from the mainland of South America, there aren't many insects or invertebrates native to the Galapagos Islands. That's why it's a unique experience when you spot an endemic green hawkmoth, colorful grasshoppers, or gentle butterflies. Keep an eye out after daily showers, when these insects are most commonly seen.