In November, what to do in Ecuador?
Sep 11th, 2007 | 07:34 AM
#1
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In November, what to do in Ecuador?
Hello, We would like to stop in Ecuador on our way to Chile and Argentina. I know Lan flies to QUito. I am not aware what could be reasonable to do in Ecuador for a three or four days. Visiting Quito and its Colonial architecture? I guess that is one thing but can anyone tell me first had experiences. Thank you.
Sep 11th, 2007 | 12:50 PM
#2
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If you don't venture too far from Quito, 3-4 days is a nice length of time to get a good flavor of Ecuador, and there's enough to see in that small area to keep you occupied. Quito's Old City is one of South America's best-preserved colonial cities. You can spend a whole day exploring, and I think it's well worthwhile. North of Quito is the famous market in Otavalo, and the Mitad del Mundo monument, which supposedly marks the equator, but actually doesn't. The true equator is about 1,000 feet away, but can be visited too. South of Quito is the Cotopaxi volcano. Almost every tour operator in the city leads day trips to any of those places.
Quito is about 9,200 feet above sea level, so don't rush around too madly while you're there, lest you succumb to altitude effects. But it's one of my favorite cities.
Quito is about 9,200 feet above sea level, so don't rush around too madly while you're there, lest you succumb to altitude effects. But it's one of my favorite cities.
Sep 11th, 2007 | 09:24 PM
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Thank you Jeff. I hope I can handle the altitude. I was looking for a good travel guide but could not find one that I liked. Which one do you recommend me?
Do you think that it is a good idea to book a hotel and then locally get some tours to those places. I do speak Spanish. I feel it might turn out to be cheaper this way.
I noticed that some hotels are not cheap, I guess because of the pax that stay in Quito on their way to expensive galapo Islands. Do you know nice hotel for a reasonable rate?
Do you think that it is a good idea to book a hotel and then locally get some tours to those places. I do speak Spanish. I feel it might turn out to be cheaper this way.
I noticed that some hotels are not cheap, I guess because of the pax that stay in Quito on their way to expensive galapo Islands. Do you know nice hotel for a reasonable rate?
Sep 14th, 2007 | 08:47 AM
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You can find listings for several Quito hotels elsewhere on the Fodor's site, via the homepage. You'll see hotels there in all price ranges.
There are not many Ecuador-only guidebooks. Most, including Fodor's, are South America books with Ecuador as a chapter.
You can usually sign on with a guided tour the day before. Your hotel should be able to point you to various tour operators.
Quito's city tourist office and its police force offer walking tours of the Old City every day except Monday. I think they're quite well done.
www.quito.com.ec
Click on "English," then on "See and Do," then on "Guided Tours."
There are not many Ecuador-only guidebooks. Most, including Fodor's, are South America books with Ecuador as a chapter.
You can usually sign on with a guided tour the day before. Your hotel should be able to point you to various tour operators.
Quito's city tourist office and its police force offer walking tours of the Old City every day except Monday. I think they're quite well done.
www.quito.com.ec
Click on "English," then on "See and Do," then on "Guided Tours."
