I am considering a trip to Ecuador in early December, and have done a search of FlyerTalk which revealed a couple of references to, but little details about, Quito and the beaches of that country. Could those of you with first hand experiences post some thoughts about their travels there. I am particularly interested in beaches and resorts. Thanks.

One of my favorite places in Ecuador is the small "resort" town of Banos, a couple of hours south of Quito. Known for its funky hot springs, at about 6,000 feet above sea level. In a beautiful valley next to the volcano Tungurahua, the population was forced to evacuate earlier this year due to activity and fear of eruption. Popular with locals, lots of lower end hotels, busy on weekends and holidays.

Old Gold ... seeing Spanish is the language of Ecuador, and knowing what Banos translates as, the "funky" Banos hot springs do sound VERY interesting!

Guayaquil is coastal but beware is a VERY dangerous DUMP to be honest. Quito is superb. Very like many cities in Peru .. located high, in the crater of a volcano. The Metropolitan Touring "autoferro" (tourist bus on train tracks!) trip is a "must". Goes down the Andes from Quito to the coast through the "Avenue Of The Volcanoes" and the Devil's Nose, one of, if not THE steepest train descents in the world. All on rails and sleepers that have not had maintenance for 50 years it looks like!

My personal tip would be to add a week and go to the Galapagos Islands .. one of the great tourist spots on earth for nature and wonder. Flights go from either Quito or Guayaquil.

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~ Glen ~

Having been a foreign student in Quito, I can't disagree with any of the above (the Galapagos Islands are some of the most amazing places on earth). I don't know that there are many (if any) luxury resorts if you are looking for that sort of thing. I hightly recommend Metropolitan Touring in Quito (I think they have an office in Miami) and many local (U.S.) travel agents will book thru them). You can also walk in their office in Quito (it used to be, maybe still is, on the street, Amazonas).

Other suggestions are the beaches at Atacames and Bahia de Caraquez (my trip here was one of my fondest memories ever - long walks on the mostly deserted beautiful beach and, at night, drifting off to sleep while listening to the waves crash on the beach while the ocean breeze caressed, well you know...). Esmeraldas is an interesting town. It has a fairly large black population - descendents of a slave ship that sunk off the coast a few hundred years ago or so.

The Saturday morning market at Otavalo (north of Quito) is not to be missed. Even if you don't plan to shop, you should see the town and immaculately and beautifully dressed and friendly Otavalan Indians. This is near the Mitad del Mundo (equator), where you can have one foot in each hemisphere. And, you can do it all in one day if you wish. You can hire a taxi driver in Quito for the day (its pretty cheap) or again, tour with Metropolitan. You could also rent a car which I don't recommend or take a bus - an adventure in itself. Did it several times as a college student. I don't think I would now.

Not enough? Travel to Cotopaxi or Chimborazo. Two of the highest mountains of the Andes - snow capped and beautiful. Or climb Mt. Pichincha, the 14,000 foot mountain in whose shadow Quito sits.

Metropolitan Touring can also arrange several days in the jungle. If you are moderately adventurous - do it!

Plan to spend a few days, at least, in Quito (city of eternal Spring - bring a sweater AND sunscreen), particularly if you have an interest in pre-Columbian and Latin American colonial art.

Skip Guayaquil. Its hot, muggy, dirty and dangerous.

This is a wonderful little country. Do it! Sorry for the long post. As you can see, I'm rather enthusiastic about it.




[This message has been edited by ILuvParis (edited 10-14-2000).]