The other issue of course is cost, and what your expectations are while traveling. We all have our own definition of  comfort and when it comes to accommodations and transportation. Some tour companies offer different options depending on your budget and fitness level. Once you get off the beaten track, your options are usually limited when it comes to hotels, and the vehicles tend to be older and run down.  But hey, that’s why they call them adventures, right?

Here is a list of companies you can check out for yourself.

G.A.P. Adventures
I’m starting my list with G.A.P. Adventures. I’ve done a tour with this company and can’t say enough about how great they were. You will be hard pressed to find an adventure vacation company that has won more awards, and received more recognition than they have.

La Selva Jungle Lodge
Located in pristine Amazon jungle of Ecuador we are a very family friendly jungle lodge that offers birdwatching, honeymooners and survival packages. We are convinced that we are unique in the entire world since we offer an authentic adventure and eco-tourist in the Amazon Rainforest.

Surtrek Tour Operator

GoEcuador.com

Overseas Adventure Travel

When I buy clothing and accessories, I try to buy the best quality at the best price. To be honest, I’m cheap when it comes to spending my money, and will go to great lengths to find just the right deal. Let me save you some time. The first place I go is Sierra Trading Post. Maybe you’ve purchased from them before. Their products are well priced and the selection is great. One stop shopping. Isn’t the internet great!

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The backpack I use has the usually shoulder and waist straps, but also has a flap that zips up to enclose the straps when you don’t need them. Having the straps tucked away means you don’t have to worry about them getting caught on things in airplanes or airport conveyor belts. There’s also a removable day pack that is very handy to have.

When it comes to buying backpacks and suitcases, no one has more selection and experience in the business than eBags. They have sold an increble 10 million bags in just 10 years.

Have you ever thought about traveling to the middle of the world? What do you think it will be like – perhaps a tall mountain or a valley surrounded by green trees, perhaps a beautiful beach, a jungle, or a beautiful island? Well, it’s all of these things and more. The actual point where the equinoctial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres is located in Ecuador, a beautiful and diverse country that is covered by beauty from the famous Galápagos Islands to the Amazonian jungle, from Pacific beaches to snow-covered volcanoes. Ecuador is a biodiversity heaven full of culture, history and fun. Ecuador has also been recently awarded the #2 spot in the list of best retirement places by the International Living magazine.

So, what’s the weather like in Ecuador? The answer is a bit complicated. Although Ecuador is a small country almost the size of Arizona, it’s got different regions. La Costa (Pacific Coast) is tropical and hot with average temperatures of 80°F while La Sierra (The Andes Highlands) is a bit colder depending on the altitude with average temperatures of 60°F and less. Ecuador is very diverse – you can drive four hours and go from a warm beach to a snow-covered mountain, drive for another 4 hours and you could probably reach an Amazon rain forest. Just like rest of South America, the seasons in Ecuador are the opposite from the seasons in the northern hemisphere, therefore beach season starts in December and ends in March.

Where to Go
One of the most visited cities in Ecuador and South America is Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Quito is located about 2,800 m (9,200 ft) above sea level making it the second highest capital city in the world. Because of its location, Quito enjoys a nice temperate weather and a beautiful view with three snow-capped volcanoes surrounding the city. There is a “Teleférico” (cable-car) which allows passengers to see the whole city from the sky. The city hosts all kinds of art and music festivals, cultural and nightlife activities. Avenida Amazonas is usually the place to go if you are looking for some fun in the town.

The Andes offers skiing and hiking activities for those adventurous souls. The Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes are some of the tallest peaks in Ecuador at 5,897 m (19,654 ft) and 6,310 m (21,031 ft) each. Looking for hot springs, waterfalls, water and outdoor activities? Head to Baños, located near the Tungurahua volcano. This small town is very popular among tourists and sports enthusiasts – the town offers tons of activities such as rafting, mountain climbing and hiking excursions. Cuenca offers lots of historic, natural and cultural sites. Ibarra, which is located two hours north of Quito, is a town surrounded by beautiful lakes.

Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador, is the commercial artery of the country. Guayaquil offers shopping and tourism combined like no other city – just visit the Malecón 2000, a beautiful riverwalk lined with cafés, bars, monuments and shops. The riverwalk also offers magnificent gardens, boat rides, and the opportunity to ride in a romantic horse-ridden carriage. El Parque Historico (The Historic Park) is another popular attraction that hosts a tropical zoo and a replica of early 20th century Guayaquil that displays the architecture and traditions of that era. Guayaquil is a tropical town, and as such, nightlife abounds – from restaurants to bars and clubs, there are plenty of places to dance and have fun.

The Ecuadorian coast, one of the best coastal regions in the Pacific, is something you cannot miss. The beautiful honey beaches, the blue water, and the lively beach towns will enchant you. The best way to travel the coast is through La Ruta del Sol or Highway to the Sun, which is a coastal highway stretching all the way from Salinas, one of the most visited beach towns in Ecuador, to the relaxing beaches of Manta and Bahia in Manabí. Montañita, a surfer’s paradise, is one of the best kept secrets in the world. This small town can really feel like a multicultural heaven where young people from all parts of the world get together for some great waves, good seafood, fruity drinks, and the best party atmosphere this side of the Pacific.

Famous as the place where Charles Darwin discovered his Theory of Evolution, the Galápagos Islands is one of the most ecologically-diverse countries in the world. With thousands of different species of birds, reptiles, plants, amphibians, and fish, the islands have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to Eat
Because of Ecuador’s biodiversity, there is a rich variety of food and agricultural products that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. Ecuador has some of the best seafood in the world; in fact Ecuador is one of the top world exporters of tilapia, shrimp, and lobster. But if seafood is not your thing, you will always have an immense selection of fruit – from mangoes to bananas to passion fruit. Most restaurants offer all kinds of all-natural fruit juice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make sure you try passion fruit juice – it’s something out of this world. Ceviche (seafood cocktail) with chifles (fried thin plantains) is a common dish in the coast that can be found in most restaurants. In the highlands, most meals are served with rice and potatoes, and you will also find the traditional cuy (guinea pig) in a stick – it’s an acquired taste. Meals at restaurants can be as cheap as $2 per plate, but exercise caution when choosing a restaurant. More expensive restaurants tend to have in place more strict standards for food preparation, which is something very important for tourists coming to Ecuador for the first time.

Where to Study
Ecuador is one of the most popular destinations for students who want to learn Spanish or study abroad. Here is a list of some of the most popular universities in Quito and Guayaquil.

Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo
Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral
Universidad Internacional del Ecuador
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil

Visas & Documents

Citizens of the UK, US, Australia, Canada, EU countries and most South American countries do not require tourist visas for stays of up to 90 days. However, passports are required. There is an international departure tax charged by Ecuadorian airports of $40.80 USD from Quito and $26 USD from Guayaquil that is not included in the airplane ticket. The official currency in Ecuador is the US dollar. Please contact the Ecuadorian consulate in your area for further visa information.

Denisse Romero
Denisse is a study abroad and travel advisor. Her website MacQuil.com – http://www.macquil.com – contains articles and advice about international travel and education.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denisse_Romero

Food in Ecuador has a great variation between the different regions of the country. The Andean region has one style, the mountain people another and the coast people another. Each one having delicious dishes, and because of its very fertile land, it has an enormous amount of fruits and vegetables. Also, it shows us three very different styles in cooking.

Different from other South American countries, people in the Ecuadorian cities don’t go home for lunch, they eat just something near their working places, and though they have breakfast, lunch and dinner, this last one is their main meal.

Their dinner almost always includes a soup. Ecuador is famous for its soups. They are also famous for the seafood, and their vegetables. Potatoes, of course, are an important part of their diet, as well as their delicious variety of exotic fruits. The food in Ecuador is varied, according to the different regions.

In the mountain regions, we will find pork, chicken, potatoes, and grains -corn and rice- and plenty of fruits. By the coast we have all kinds of fishes, shrimps, lobsters, soups. And south of the mountains, we have another kind of food, including ceviche, made with shrimps, pork, a banana soup, and delicious desserts.

There’s no limit on what we can find to eat in Ecuador. Their fruits, their vegetables and their fishes are all extremely good and make your mouth want more and more of those delicacies. They add to all this, a special sauce, called “aji”, which is a hot sauce, and you can decide if you use it or not. But any dish is tasty enough without it!
In addition to all this, the Ecuadorian chocolate is just wonderful! In Europe, mostly in Italy, they just adore this chocolate!

If we were to summarize what the food in Ecuador is, we could say, they eat plenty of sea food, beef, chicken, pork. They eat potatoes cooked in many different ways, rice, corn, many vegetables and many different fruits. Soups are almost a must in each dinner. And all this prepared using their wonderful spices! Ecuadorians are used to exquisite desserts, but, most of all, delicious chocolate!

The food of South America is full of interesting flavors and recipes, learn more about them visiting http://www.foodofsouthamerica.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beatriz_Alvarez