Things we learned:
Currency: US Dollars
Cities Visited: Quito, Otavalo, Baños, Guayaquil, Galapagos, Cuenca, Loja
Learn Spanish here, it’s affordable.
If you have flexibility in scheduling, book tours in or near the location of where you’d like to go because rates are considerably lower than booking in your own country.
Exercise caution when crossing the street, pedestrians don’t have the right of way.
Although our knowledge of mountain ranges is limited, there is nothing like being in the Andes.
The coastal cities are very different from the mountain cities.
Ecuadorian children are muy tranquilo. Oftentimes, we wouldn´t even know there were children on long bus rides until we disembarked.
Sunscreen, jackets, motion sickness pills, and water are essential things to pack.
Another reminder: Take time to adjust to the high altitude.
Things we liked:
Deenaree´s list…
- Food: Empanadas de queso
- Experience: Snorkeling in the Galapagos and seeing sea turtles up close, loved it!!
- Something to remember: Taking in the breathtaking view of the Andes mountains as we rode in buses from place to place.
Ben´s list…
- Food: Empanadas de queso
- Experience: Unexpectedly hiking around Laguna Cuicocha with an extra day in Otavalo
- Something(s) to remember: The amazing variety of animals in the Galapagos. No wonder Charles Darwin thought of natural selection there!