This is still a developing nation. Most people don’t use seatbelts. Dogs roam free.
Certainly Ecuador has a proud culture. Citizens do not try to emulate American culture.
I’ve never been much of a fan of KFC. But in Asia last year — and in Ecuador, I’ve been a regular customer. It’s the only western fast food franchise I’ve seen. Burger King is here, somewhere.
Ecuador was named after the Spanish word for “equator“.
Almost every tourist who makes it to Quito visits the (somewhat cheesy) Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City).
The grounds contain the Monument to the Equator, which highlights the exact location of the Equator.
The placement of the equatorial line was defined throughout a 1736 expedition called the French Geodesic Mission. They were astonishing close — only incorrect by 240 metres (790 ft).
Most interesting was a demonstration of the Coriolis force. I’d always heard stories about the “coriolis effect” ➙ water draining in different directions in the northern and southern hemispheres.
BUT I was shocked to see it with my own eyes with the draining water only about 2m on either side of the equator line.
Secret Garden Cotopaxi is at an elevation of around 3,800 metres (12,500 feet) directly facing famed Cotopaxi volcano. If arriving directly from sea level, you might suffer some altitude symptoms. Especially minor headache, stomach, or sleeping problems. I was OK having been above 2800m for over a week.
Here’s my best photo from the hostel.
A gorgeous location.
Food is fantastic. They have a stone pizza oven. Healthy ingredients, many grown on site. Excellent vegan and vegetarian alternatives.
The hostel has high speed starlink internet — but guests get only about 1 hour / day of slow wifi. They don’t want you on your phone. 😀
Without question, it’s a hippie vibe.
I considered renting a Hobbit House for one night — but $165 was too steep.
Baños de Agua Santa (Baños) is a small mountain town in the cloud forest, initially unimpressive.
But it’s the nation’s gateway to the Amazon. And legitimately touted the Adventure Capital of Ecuador. Activities similar to what you are offered in New Zealand, but for 20% of the cost. Or less. (MIGHT be some compromises on safety and liability, however. 😀)
BEST for me was the 25km downhill cycling “Ruta de las Cascadas” (Waterfall Route). Rent a bike for $7-10 / day. They hand you a map. And GO.
En route I stopped for a stand-up zip line over Cascada de Agoyán. $2.
And a seated zip-line.
Returned on foot by a LONG Tibetan Bridge over 170 metres high. Cost for both was $25.
On the cycling route, BEST for sure is Pailón del Diablo (Cauldron of the Devil), Ecuador’s largest waterfall.
You can access the Falls from either side of the river. The short route, originating from Río Verde, includes more views and shows nearby San Miguel Waterfall.
I took the longer, wetter route because it includes dramatic staircases, tunnelGrieta al Cielo (Crack to Heaven) where you crawl hands & knees, and a chance to get behind the Falls.
Across from the parking lot, I enjoyed an excellent enchilada. Fried trout is a popular dish here, as well.
A taxi will take you and your bike back to town for about $10. I lifted my bike on the local bus for a $1 ride back to GeoTours, which looked to be the best bike rental spot. They’ve been in business since 1991.
Of course I did a lot of steep day hiking, as well. You can climb in every direction up to more tourist attractions. Most interesting for me was a challenging, overgrown walk to pretty La Casa del Arbol.
Everywhere has installed swings that fly you over a cliff edge. I tried a few.
I was happy to find the city bus ending a route here. 😀 It got me back to town for $1,
I finally tried one of these set-ups where your phone spins around.
One disappointment was famed and popular hot-springs Termas de la Virgen. Not nearly clean enough for me. And you’re required to wear a hideous bathing cap, something I’d never seen before around the world. Not recommended.
Baños itself is must see. The #2 tourist destination in the nation after Quito.
In October 1999, all 17,000+ residents were forced to evacuate Baños for weeks. Tungurahua volcano was active.
Sadly, my expensive DJI Mini 4 Pro is no more. It’s back somewhere in S.E. Asia.
As a replacement, I bought last year’s model (discounted) of the DJI Neo.
Neo (left) and Mini 4 Pro (right)
cost as I post CAD $209
much less expensive than the Mini 4 Pro
more durable
4K/30fps only
no obstacle avoidance
Super lightweight (135g)
faster to launch. No satellites needed.
can be used indoors safely
The Mini 4 Pro was a huge commitment for travel. Neo 1 is a fraction of the size, weight, and bulk. I’ll shoot more video in more places with what I call a …
Rick McCharles 