julies

I'm doing some research for a future trip. Please don't include the biggie attraction in each country as part of your comments because I'm trying to compare and contrast other opportunities in each of the countries. What are your overall impressions of the two places? Which is the most interesting and has the most to offer would you say? We are moderate range tourists who are not picky as far as food and lodging and who want to see real cultures, enjoy active travel, want to experience some unique places, are not afraid to get off the beaten path etc.

I also have to admit I wonder about this comment I read in a travel blog.
"Travel destinations are personal. I've met people who absolutely loved Ecuador and, with the exception of the Galapagos Islands, we thought our trip there was like flushing money down the toilet. That's why when people raved about Peru and Machu Picchu, I thought...right....and resisted for years. To our absolute surprise, WE LOVED PERU!"

So, I'm looking for your thoughts on the two countries, not just reactions to the comments in the blog. Thanks much to those of you who have visited both places.

Jed

My experience: We spent a few days in Equador besides going to the Galapagos. We saw Quito, the 'equator', and took a drive into the mountains.

In Peru, besides MP, we spent 4 nights in tha Amazon jungle, saw Lima for a day, and flew over the Nazca lines.

My choice would be Peru.

quimbymoy

in Peru, besides MP & Cuzco, we visited Manu & Lake Titicaca.

in Ecuador, we also went to Bellavista Cloud Forest (lots of birds and tropical plants), the Otavalo area (beautiful mountain vistas, a pretty crater lake & crafts market) & Papallacta Hot Springs (ahh, relaxation amongst the pretty mountainside).

I love both countries. Both places have very natural, beautiful places to visit & their cultures are still very much alive. If you like ruins, Peru has plenty. Until this trip to Ecuador, Peru was my favorite South American destination. My trip to the Galapagos was so amazing that I'd consider it my best trip ever so far. The whole combo of natural beauty & wildlife made it such a memorable trip.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Like you, I find the comments in that blog very unhelpful. It's a tough call between those two countries, my two favorites in South America. In the end, all you'll get is somebody's opinion, which may be tempered by many factors.

Here goes:

Ecuador: better beaches, more volcanoes, smaller size (easier to get around), Quito, uses the U.S. dollar so no currency exchange for U.S. visitors

Peru: more ruins, larger size (just more there), easier access to the Amazon, better known cuisine, Cusco

I still don't know which one I'd choose over the other.

arpadelmar

This post caught my attention because my husband and I are planning a 15-day vacation to Ecuador and Peru this coming June. My parents are natives of Ecuador and so we have family in Guayaquil and Quito. Machu Pichu and Sacred Valley of course have always been on our must-see list, so we are definitely going to make the stop there.

I have been to Ecuador as a child but do not recall enough to make an informed decision on the country, albeit Ive heard such great things about Quito and surrounding areas (Otavalo,etc.)

I have yet to visit Peru, so it will be interesting to compare the two (albeit I may tend to be slightly bias

I will also say that having eaten Ecuadorian cuisine all my life, it definitely rivals, if not surpasses Peruvian cuisine in my opinion (again, I might be bias.) The ultimate test will be trying the Peruvian ceviche compared to my father's version, which is divine!

dorisnelli

Ecuador and Peru were once the same country until the spaniards divided us. Therefore, the culture and Quechua language is the same. We are the same people. They both have the andes, coast, and amazon. Ecuador has ruins but not as much as Peru as it is a bigger country. The indegenous groups in Ecuador and Peru thrive until today. We maintain our customs. I love Ecuador and Peru. You must visit both. Peru is just much bigger. MP is overated. Visit both countries because they are fantastic.

julies

Dorisnelli--

Can you please explain why you think Machu Picchu is overrated? I've heard that the Inca trail is overrated and there are other equally nice trails, but Machu Picchu itself is also overrated? Please enlighten me.

I did find your explanation of the other similarities and differences very helpful though. Thanks.

Another question now though. Are prices in the two countries similar for equivalent lodging and transportation?

Mike6725

We spent three weeks in Peru a couple of years ago in February. Visited Puno during Candlemas - loved the parades. Lake Titicaca tour was great. We stayed overnight with a family on Isla Amantani. Missed out on Colca Canyon but saw most of the sights in the southern part of the country. We traveled by bus, independent of tours. We enjoyed our stay so much we are planning a return trip after the end of the rainy season, this time to include a visit to the canyon. We have heard so much about Equador we plan to include a couple of weeks there as well. You can see our trip report at http://fennfamily.net/Peru