Ecuador

A Wow Deal Destination

Ecuador is one of five destinations around the world that has been picked out by TravelZoo as a Wow Deal destination for 2014, due to its exciting mix of great travel prices, unique attractions, and a buzz from visitors.

The capital Quito provides a delightful blend of vibrant nightlife and cultural hotpots, none more so than the La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, the city’s famous cathedral. Built in the early 1600s, it is a superb example of Baroque architecture, and to see it in person is a great reason to make the capital one of your top destinations.

Thrill seekers will be heading to Ecuador in 2014 for a shot at the summit of Cotopaxi, a volcano with one of the few equatorial glaciers in the world. Cotopaxi is still an active volcano also, so could be prone to a couple of rumbles at the snow-cover peak. The city of Bañosis at the foot of another of Ecuador’s volcanoes, Tungurahua, and is famous for its hot springs, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking gorges. Banos is also known as the gateway to the Amazon, visited by many en route to a jungle trek. Another great place to start your jungle adventure is Tena, a small town in the Amazon which serves up unparalleled whitewater rafting and water sports.

Ecuador is not just about the big city and jungle adventures. Each place you visit is filled with unique local crafts, scenic shorelines, and awe inspiring engineering. One of the most notable of the latter category is the Nariz del Diablo, better known as the Devil’s Nose. This trainline is so named because of the huge human suffering during its creation, but it really is a wondrous feat in the mountains of the Andes.

The South of Ecuador us the place to go to hit the beaches, and hunt out a picturesque fishing village. Ecuador is also known for its surfing, serving up a delightful mix of sandy beaches and waves to die for. If you are feeling like venturing out into the sea, the Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of volcanic islands belonging to Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are known the world over for the unique ecosystem, vast selection of inhabitant animals, and are a great place for tourists to visit. All in all, there is plenty about Ecuador to appeal to travellers and make it a great destination for 2014 and beyond.