Ecuador Blogs

Condor adult male

Jul 31 2024

Parque Condor in Ecuador – A Haven for Raptors

Nestled near the city of Otavalo, Parque Condor stands as a beacon of hope for Ecuador’s birds of prey. This […]
Ecuador Middle-of-the-World

Jul 17 2024

How Ecuador Found its Place in the Middle of the World

The French Geodesic Mission to the Equator On one visit to Ecuador, I crossed the Equator six times in one […]
San Francisco Square Quito

Jan 8 2024

Our picks for the 2024 hotspots in Latin America

2024 is upon us, but have you thought about where you’ll be travelling this year? With a wealth of places […]

Oct 16 2023

Haciendas of Ecuador

Ecuador is a country known for its landscapes, diverse culture, and rich history. One of the most charming aspects of […]
Ecuador Owl monkey

May 10 2023

Top 10 places to visit in Ecuador

One of the beauties of Ecuador is its size. Within hours of the capital, it’s possible to visit a host […]
Waved Albatross Espnola Island

Apr 17 2023

Albatross Breeding Season Comes to Galapagos

The albatross breeding season has started. The waved albatross is the largest species of bird in the Galapagos Islands. They […]

Feb 17 2023

WISH LIST FOR 2023

This time of year is ideal to dream about places to go in 2023 or beyond. Here is our list […]

Dec 30 2022

What animals will I see in the Galapagos?

The Galapagos Islands are probably the best place to get up close to wildlife in the world. It’s isolation from […]
Quito botanic gardens

Dec 12 2022

Quito botanic gardens

  South America is a veritable botanist’s paradise. Quito Botanic Gardens is a hidden marvel, holding a collection of thousands […]
Argentina puna high plains

Apr 14 2022

Where Can I Go Now?

Thinking of travelling again soon? We are pleased to announce that many Latin American countries are safe to visit once […]
galapagos islands

Mar 20 2022

12 Practical Tips to Visiting the Galápagos Islands

  After 40 years of travel to the Galápagos, going back the islands still give me goose bumps. Today boats […]
Napo Wildlife Centre

Feb 14 2022

Off to Ecuador’s Amazon

The rickety old bus teetered on the edge of a cliff. Hundreds of metres below the Pastaza River flowed over […]
Bartolome Island

Apr 15 2021

Galápagos Islands Latest News

Smugglers caught with 185 baby tortoises Expansion of the Marine Reserve The marine reserve is home to More than 2,900 […]
Ecuador-Cloud-forest-Yunguilla

Nov 26 2020

Realm of the Clouds – Ecuador’s Mountain Reserves

Just over a year ago I travelled north-west of Quito to two very distinct cloud forest reserves. These are the […]

Aug 6 2020

The Aficionados playlist for a Salsa fiesta

When I first arrived in Latin America, I imagined local music was panpipes and flute music, like El Condor Pasa. […]

Feb 29 2020

Video, horse riding Quilotoa crater Ecuador

Spectacular horse ride around Quilotoa volcanic crater in the Ecuadorian Andes. Courtesy Gabriel Espinosa of Hacienda La Alegria. For more […]

Feb 18 2020

El Angel Ecological Reserve Ecuador

Far from the madding crowd in northern Ecuador is the Páramo del Ángel reserve, or Angel’s Tundra. The landscape is […]

Feb 15 2020

Our 7 favourite Colonial Cities of Latin America

Cartagena, Colombia Cartagena is a beguiling tropical port steeped in history and culture. The city lies on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. […]

Jun 30 2019

Galapagos is going Luxury

Tourism is evolving: When I first sailed around Galapagos 40 years ago. Our small yacht had no refrigerator, no hot […]
Giant Otter

Jun 28 2019

The Best Places to see the Giant Otter

Giant otters are found in the great rivers and wetlands in South America. They are the largest otter species in […]
Guayaquil Hotel del Parque patio

Mar 20 2019

HOTEL DEL PARQUE GUAYAQUIL

Guayaquil used to get bad press as a place to avoid. These days we recommend it as a place to […]
Floreana island galapagos flamingos

Oct 29 2018

Autumn in Galapagos Islands

I recently returned to the Galapagos for a wonderful week’s cruise. I was a bit worried that October is not […]
Galapagos-Tagus-Cove

Aug 15 2018

SUMMER IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Every month is a wildlife delight in the Galapagos Islands, and the northern summer months are no exception. The giant […]
Ecuador Quito Cathedral

Aug 10 2018

9 REASONS TO VISIT QUITO

Quito is not just a stop en-route to the Galapagos Islands but one of the leading cities of South America,. […]
Peru Machu Picchu panorama

May 22 2018

The most luxurious things to do in Latin America

Those lucky few with deep pockets can experience Latin America in extraordinary ways. And why not? There’s been plenty of […]

Feb 27 2018

Latin America’s top football teams

The beautiful game is by far the biggest sport in Latin America, nearing an obsession for many. Even if you’re […]

Feb 27 2018

Where to watch Latin America’s famously melting sunset

  Who doesn’t like a good sunset? One of life’s great joys is watching the melting ball of orange light […]
Galapagos Mockingbird

Feb 23 2018

Select Latin America joins up with Galapagos Conservation Trust

We are happy to have renewed a partnership with the Galapagos Conservation Trust. This non-profit organization raises money to help […]

Jan 7 2018

10 off grid hotels in Latin America

Want to get away from the bustle of the city and truly understand a new culture or place? To do […]
Galapagos-Frigatebirds

Oct 6 2017

Videos of the most magnificent birds in Latin America

Latin America has the most diverse range of avifauna on earth. More than 3,000 different species of birdlife can be […]

Aug 30 2017

10 things to do in the Amazon

Seeing a clay lick Parrot clay licks can be found throughout the Amazon. Hundreds of parrots and macaws descend upon […]

Jul 11 2017

New Suites at Napo Wildlife Centre

AMAZON IN STYLE You can’t beat spotting Amazon wildlife at Napo Wildlife Centre in Ecuador. This lodge is set within […]
Rio de Janeiro Sugarloaf

Mar 6 2017

5 cable cars to take in South America

Cable cars are, in our opinion, one of the best modes of transport. Quick, no traffic and it’s possible to […]

Mar 3 2017

Lonesome George returns home

Almost five years after the death of Lonesome George, the last Pinta tortoise has returned back home to the Galapagos […]
Mashpi Lodge Hotel

Nov 29 2016

A review of the Mashpi Lodge from one of our guests

Mashpi. What do you say, when words aren’t enough to describe your feelings and experiences. That is Mashpi. Breathtaking. We […]

Nov 8 2016

The best street food you can get for under $5 in Latin America

Latin America isn’t short on street snacks. Like much of the world, some of the tastiest cuisine gets cooked on […]
Rio de Janeiro Corcovado with Sugarloaf

Sep 29 2016

7 amazing religious statues in Latin America

Many countries around the world love to erect religious monuments, but in Latin America they are particularly impressive. While most […]

Sep 19 2016

Best places to go surfing in Latin America

The thousands of kilometres of coastline that make up South, Central and North America have some of the world’s best […]

Sep 19 2016

25 random but interesting facts about Latin America you probably didn’t know

Angel Falls in Venezuela is one of the largest waterfalls in the world with a height of almost 1 kilometre. […]

Sep 19 2016

6 scenic flights to take in Latin America

Such variety of landscapes makes Latin America an amazing place to see from above. Take a bird’s eye view down […]
Chile Torres del Paine

Aug 23 2016

10 of the best national parks in Latin America

Wild and untamed, the national parks of Latin America are havens for adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and hikers. […]
Nemo deck life

Jul 16 2016

8 incredible things you’ll do on a cruise in the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands is arguably one of the finest wildlife spots in the world. With a high proportion of endemic […]

Jul 16 2016

Ceviche de Cameron, Ecuadorian prawn ceviche recipe

Fresh, zingy, delicious and perfect for a summers day. Ecuadorian ceviche differs from its Peruvian cousin with the inclusion of […]

Jun 29 2016

Evoke a bygone era of travel on board the luxury Anakonda Amazon cruise

<iframe src=”https://player.vimeo.com/video/170192947?h=09cd1f50d1″ width=”640″ height=”360″ frameborder=”0″ allow=”autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/170192947″>Anakonda Amazon Expeditions Complete</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/user53179814″>Anakoda Unbranded</a> on <a […]

Jun 14 2016

9 insanely luxurious hotels around Latin America

Alvear Palace, Argentina The elegant Alvear Palace, located in the upmarket Recoleta district in Buenos Aires, was built in the […]

May 28 2016

The best markets in South America

Otavalo Market, Otavalo Located in the northern Ecuadorian town of the same name, Otavalo is perhaps one of the most […]

Mar 26 2016

The best drone footage of Latin America

Aerial footage from drones is fast becoming the most creative way to make short travel films. Capturing Latin America’s diverse […]

Jan 19 2016

8 Best Natural Hot Springs For A Soak In Latin America

Termas Papallacta, Ecuador The Termas Papallacta hot springs a located around forty miles east of Quito.  Squeezed in an Andean […]

Dec 24 2015

The Best Places To travel In 2016

The New Year is almost upon us. In celebration here’s our pick of the best places to visit in Latin […]

Dec 24 2015

7 high cities in Latin America that will literally take your breath away

The important Andes Mountain Range is the spine of South America spanning the western side of the continent from Colombia […]

Nov 30 2015

The 7 best train rides in Latin America

Compared to most continents, railways in Latin America are few and far between. Most have been left to fall into […]

Oct 19 2015

Best Birding Locations in Central & South America

Latin America is simply one of the best continents for birding on earth. In total there are over 3,000 species […]

Oct 15 2015

The 20 Best Hikes In Latin America

There are so many amazing hikes you can do through the Americas ranging from light days hikes to serious mountaineering […]

Aug 20 2015

Ecuador’s Liberty Train from Ibarra to Salinas

I recently rode on this fun train that winds through the Andes of northern Ecuador. The train starts right in […]

May 29 2015

Just another reason to visit the Galapagos right now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5ED_KztgTo If you haven’t already heard, a volcanic eruption is happening right now on Isabela, a large westerly island in […]
Galapagos Gardner Bay

May 13 2015

8 Best Beaches In Latin America

Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Flickr/Daniel Amariles Best city beach. Sancho Beach, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil Flickr/Jorge Pindorama Best […]
Torres del Paine

Apr 7 2015

Our 20 favourite places in Latin America

Latin America is a culturally and geographically diverse place. Here’s 20 places (in no particular order) you absolutely have to […]

Mar 24 2015

South America Flag Map

by thedavefoster. This map shows the flags of South America laid out on a map of the continent, leading viewers […]

Dec 15 2014

Celebrating Christmas Latin American Style

Argentina Flickr/N i c o l a Christmas in Argentina has is heavily influenced by Europe and North America although […]

Nov 20 2014

12 Classic Films Set In Latin America You Have To Watch At Least Once

1. Diarios De Motocicleta  / The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) The Motorcycle Diaries follows the account of the young Che Guevara […]

Nov 19 2014

This Is Why You Should Go To The Galapagos [VID]

For more information about the Galapagos visit here. RELATED: A typical day in the Galapagos Islands

Nov 6 2014

An Orchid of the Andes

I recently attended the annual World Travel Market in London and met the new Ecuadorian Tourism Minister Sandra Naranjo. She […]

Oct 27 2014

This Bizarre Orchid Looks Like A Monkey’s Face

Flickr/Dick Culbert The Dracula simian is an epiphytic orchid which, due to its features, is more commonly referred to as […]

Oct 22 2014

A Guide To The National Drinks Of Latin America

National drinks throughout Latin America vary immensely. Some opt for teas, others beer or liquor. Of course, there is also […]

Oct 21 2014

What To Eat For Breakfast In Each Latin American Country

Breakfast in Latin America varies immensely between countries and also regions. You’re not going to, for example, find the same […]

Oct 21 2014

Eleven Amazing Experiences You Can Have In Latin America [VID]

1. Snorkel with whale sharks on Mexico’s Holbox Island http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huIS3klnbCQ 2. Track wild jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands 3. Hike […]
Peru machu picchu

Sep 2 2014

10 ancient South American wonders you absolutely need to visit

1. Machu Picchu Pedro Szekely/Flickr Where: Cuzco, Peru What: Extremely well preserved (and restored) 15th century Inca settlement located in […]

Aug 28 2014

Inca Trails gain UNESCO World Heritage status

In June the Inca trail system was officially declared a World Heritage Patrimony by the UNESCO. Its Quichuan name Qhapaq […]

Aug 28 2014

18 bird species you won’t find anywhere but the Galapagos

Galapagos is a bird-watchers paradise. From the misty slopes of the Andes, the tropical coast, mighty Amazon and Galapagos archipelago […]

Aug 11 2014

We have launched our new brochure. Get it hot off the press

We are pleased to announce the publication of new brochure. This beautiful 96 page full colour booklet is packed full […]

Jul 21 2014

The Galapagos Affair – Satan Came to Eden

Most of the visitors who have the good fortune to visit the ‘enchanted islands’ of the Galapagos archipelago know precious […]

May 6 2014

The Amazonian Manatee

Wikipedia: Mwanner The Amazonian Manatee has got to be one of the most intriguing looking mammals in Latin America. They […]

Apr 17 2014

Good Friday in Quito

Quito Good Friday processions of Cucuruchos, the brotherhoods of penitents whose uniform dates back to the Inquisition. During  Holy Week […]

Apr 1 2014

All you need is Ecuador

RELATED: Andean Explorer The New Luxury Sleeper Train in Peru

Mar 17 2014

An exhibition and workshop on Andean Quinoa

Flickr/USDAgov The Andean cereal Quinoa is finally becoming recognised as one of earth’s most important foods. An exhibition and workshops […]

Feb 25 2014

The Source of the Amazon

Though the Amazon is by far the greatest river in the World in volume, arguments have gone on for years […]

Oct 31 2013

Tayos Caves Open for the Adventurous

The Tayos Caves in Ecuador have opened to the public for the first time. These remote caverns also known as […]

Sep 24 2013

Is Google Street View in Galapagos a Good Thing?

So Google now is taking us remotely to the far flung places of the planet. The web behemoth has sent […]

Sep 7 2013

Preserve Protect and Restore Galapagos

RELATED: A typical day in the Galapagos Islands

Aug 19 2013

Olinguito, a new mammal species discovered

The first new carnivorous mammal in 35 years has been discovered hiding in the cloud forests of Ecuador and Colombia. […]

Jul 26 2013

NEW ECUADOR HACIENDA – COTOPAXI PUNGO

On a recent visit to Ecuador I visited new country Inns. The Hacienda Cotopaxi Pungo lies on a farm on […]

Jun 3 2013

The Last Ice Merchant (El Último Hielero)

For over 50 years Baltazar Ushca has harvested the glacial ice of Ecuador’s Mount Chimborazo. His brothers, both raised as […]

May 31 2013

Hummingbirds Path Yanacocha

A short distance west from Quito, as the condor flies, lies Yanacocha or the Inca’s lagoon. Though this pre-hispanic irrigation […]

May 31 2013

Cloud Forest Camera Trap

Photos courtesy: Carlos Morochz (Scientist at Mashpi Reserve) During my recent visit to Mashpi Lodge in the cloud forests of […]

May 31 2013

Galapagos Safari Camp

Whilst visiting the highlands of the main island of Santa Cruz I took the opportunity to visit the Galapagos Safari […]

May 31 2013

Mashpi Cloud Forest Lodge

Jungle lodges are normally basic accommodation with few mod cons, but Mashpi Lodge has re-written the script. This is the […]

May 31 2013

Casa del Alabado Museum Quito

It is rare to wander into a museum and be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the exhibits and the […]

May 31 2013

High Tea at the Casa Gangotena

I recently had the pleasure of spending some time at Quito’s poshest hotel, the Casa Gangotena. This recently converted colonial […]

May 28 2013

LIMA AND GUAYAQUIL AMONG BEST AIRPORTS OF THE WORLD

Lima’s airport, known as ‘Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chavez’, has ranked 25th in the world according to the ‘World Airport Awards’. […]

Apr 19 2013

Lonesome George’s body is moved to New York to be embalmed

The remains of the body of the giant tortoise ‘Lonesome George’ from the Galapagos Islands has been transferred to the […]

Feb 28 2013

Swimming with Manta Rays

One of the most memorable moments of my life was snorkelling in the Galapagos Islands and getting close to a […]

Feb 23 2013

Our David meets Sir David Attenborough

This month’s celebrity photo shows our director and ‘Mr Galápagos’ David Horwell meeting his hero David Attenborough. This was at […]

Feb 14 2013

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day! Why not plan a trip to Galapagos with your loved one? You could take inspiration from the […]

Feb 1 2013

Darwin’s Birds

Plates from the Zoology of the Voyage of HMS Beagle (1832 – 1836). These are illustrations by John Gould published […]

Jan 31 2013

Cruising the Galapagos Islands

RELATED: 8 incredible things you’ll do on a cruise in the Galapagos Islands

Jan 28 2013

Lonesome George: ‘was not the last of his kind’

When Lonesome George, the last Pinta Island giant tortoise, died in June in the Galapagos, the world mourned the demise […]

Dec 18 2012

slow train coming

With encouragement from President Rafael Correa the Quito to Guayaquil railway system is being restored. This engineering marvel once connected […]

Dec 15 2012

locro de papa – Ecuadorian Potato Soup With Avocado

Locro de papa is a cheesy potato soup that is a staple of Ecuadorian cuisine. It’s traditionally garnished with avocado, […]

Dec 12 2012

straw hats come home to ecuador

UNESCO has just declared the Ecuadorian traditional woven straw hat (also known as a Panama hat) as an Intangible cultural […]

Dec 10 2012

Getting high – above Quito by cable-car

Quito’s cable-car takes about 40 minutes to ride up the side of the volcano above the city. If you have […]

Dec 6 2012

Fiestas of Quito

This week is the Fiestas of Quito, celebrating the foundation of Quito on Dec 6th. This is the city’s biggest […]

Dec 6 2012

Shop for Chocolate in Quito

We are happy to report that Ecuador won great acclaim at the recent International Chocolate Awards 2012 that took place […]

Dec 5 2012

Galapagos in 3D

Sir David Attenborough’s new 3D series on the Galapagos Islands has been confirmed as part of Sky’s Christmas schedules. Galapagos […]

Sep 27 2012

Ecuador’s misty cloud forest

After a day or two in Quito, try one of our cloud forest escapes only an hour or two from […]

Aug 23 2012

FROG TURNS INTO A PRINCE

A frog has been named after Prince Charles. A rare species of Ecuadorian frog has been named Hyloscirtus princecharlesi in […]

Aug 1 2012

Surf’s up in Ecuador

For the surfer visiting Ecuador it is easy to grab a board, book a lesson, find a place to stay […]

Jun 25 2012

goodbye lonesome george

We were sorry to hear the sad death of Lonesome George on 24 June, 2012. The Galapagos National Park ranger […]
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