Places to Visit in Puerto Quito, Ecuador, America

Places to Visit in Puerto Quito, Ecuador, America

Puerto Quito is a town situated in the province of Pichincha in Ecuador, around 210 km northwest of Quito, both provincial and national capital and 355 km north of the largest city of Ecuador, Guayaquil. Puerto Quito is well known for ecotourism, housing abundance of wildlife and many spectacular waterfalls including Cascada Azul.

 

Geography of Puerto Quito:

Puerto Quito is situated in the tropical forest of the country belonging to the Sierra region and is geographically located between 0.12720° N latitude and 79.253139° W longitude.

Puerto Quito experiences average temperature of 25° C year round at a highest elevation of 160 meters and lowest elevation of 120 meters and receives rainfall 1 to 2 meters a year.

 

Connectivity to Puerto Quito:

The nearest major airport to Puerto Quito is Mariscal Sucre International Airport which is one of the major airports of Ecuador with direct flights to major European and American cities such as Madrid, Frankfurt, Atlanta, Miami and Panama City.

MSIA is located approximately 235 km away from Puerto Quito and there are taxis always available and tourists can also use bus to reach Puerto Quito form the airport.

Puerto Quito is home to many travel agencies and most of them are sited in town centre offering car and bike for rent on hour and day basis.

 

Food and Shopping in Puerto Quito:

There are many food corners located in Puerto Quito serving tourists with both traditional and international cuisine.

Other than food corners, Puerto Quito is also rich in shops that sell a variety of traditional handicrafts, woven clothes and hats at affordable prices.

 

Things to do in Puerto Quito:

  • Jungle tour
  • Hiking
  • Shopping

 

Tourist Attractions in Puerto Quito:

Cascada Azul:

Cascada Azul or Blue Waterfall is a notable attraction of Puerto Quito magnetizing nature lovers from all around the country. It is advised for tourists to take guided tours for easy exploration.

 

Roman Catholic Diocese of Santo Domingo en Ecuador:

Roman Catholic Diocese of Santo Domingo en Ecuador is a diocese located in the Santo Domingo city, around 80 km away from Puerto Quito. It was erected on 5 January 1987 and name changed from the Diocese of Santo Domingo de los Colorados to the Diocese of Santo Domingo en Ecuador on 18 June 2008.

 

Esmeraldas:

Located about 160 km away from Puerto Quito, Esmeraldas is a city home for many spectacular beaches including Las Palmas Beach, Atacames Beach and Cumilinche Beach. It can be reachable by bus or taxi.

 

Other places of interest near Puerto Quito include:

  • D Cameron Mompiche
  • Playa Tonsupa
  • Saami
  • Quininde
  • General Rivadeneira Airport
  • La Tolita archaeological zone
  • Virgin forests

 

Best time to visit Puerto Quito:

Puerto Quito is a perfect site for nature and adventure lovers to enjoy different outdoor activities during the summer months.

 

Accommodation options in Puerto Quito:

Puerto Quito hosts few modernized food corners, due this tourists can visit major neighboring cities such as Santo Domingo or Esmeraldas for best hospitality services. Here is the list of the prominent hotels in and around Puerto Quito:

  • La Isla Hosteria
  • Cucuya Eco Lodge
  • Kashama Eco Resort and Spa
  • Grand Hotel Santo Domingo
  • Hosteria Kasama Lodge
  • Cabanas Isla del Sol
  • Hosteria El Rampiral
  • Hostal Kennedy
  • Hostal EI Cisne
  • Hotel Puerto Ballesta
  • Hosteria Puerto Gaviota
  • Hotel Casa de Amigos
  • Casablanca Beach Hotel & Golf Club
  • Apart Hotel Casino
  • El Acantilado Beach Hotel
  • Hosteria Costa de Oro

Tourist Places to Visit in Portoviejo, Ecuador, America

Tourist Places to Visit in Portoviejo, Ecuador, America

Portoviejo is the capital city of Manabi Province in Ecuador covering a total area of 967.53 sq. km, is the 6th largest as well as one of the oldest cities of Ecuador.  Portoviejo is popularly called the ‘City of the Royal Tamarind Trees’ because of the presence of abundance number of tamarind trees.

 

Geography of Portoviejo:

Portoviejo coordinates with 1°3′22.25″ S latitude and 80°27′18.78″ W longitude at an altitude of 53 meters. Portoviejo is located about 390 km southwest of Quito, the capital of Ecuador and 205 km northwest of Guayaquil, the largest city of Ecuador.

 

History of Portoviejo:

Spanish captain Francisco Pacheco was the founder of Portoviejo, founded under the name ‘Villa Nueva de San Gregorio de Portoviejo’ on March 12, 1535. Portoviejo was the home town of Vicente Amador Flor, who was a renowned poet and Sandra Vinces who was the Miss Ecuador 2009.

 

Connectivity to Portoviejo:

The Reales Tamarindos Airport is serving Portoviejo with air connectivity is situated 3 km away from the centre of the city with connection to domestic locations only.

Other nearby airports includes Jipijapa Airport and Bahia De Caraquez Airport located at the distance of 30 km and 75 km respectively.

Buses are frequent between Portoviejo and its neighboring cities. To move within the city and to reach tourist destinations and the airport, tourists can use taxi or rented car. Bikes and bicycles are also available.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Portoviejo:

There are many traditional handicraft item stores and typical cotton pillow centres in Portoviejo. USD is the currency used in Portoviejo and also a few shops accept cards for tourist’s convenience.

Also tourists can taste typical Manabí cuisine at food corners on Portoviejo-Crucita roadway. List of prominent restaurants in Portoviejo is as follows:

  • Cevicheria Zavalita
  • Mosael Restaurant
  • Restaurante Martinica
  • Casa Vecchia Ristorante Pizzeria

 

Things to do in Portoviejo:

  • Parks
  • Shopping
  • Visiting tagua workshops
  • Walking

 

Tourist Attractions in Portoviejo:

The Cathedral:

Situated in front of Parque Eloy Alfaro, the Cathedral of Portoviejo is the major landmark as well as a tourist attraction of Portoviejo. Architecture is impressive and surrounding environment is nice.

 

Portoviejo botanical garden:

The botanical garden of Portoviejo is home to many orchid plants as well as reptiles and birds. Nice relaxation point.

 

Sosote:

Sosote is an interesting village situated few kilometers away from Portoviejo is especially noted for its tagua workshops, tagua is a typical Ecuador handicraft and tourists can purchase it directly from the workshop or from main street stalls.

 

Other places of interest near Portoviejo include:

  • San Lorenzo beach
  • El Murciélago beach
  • Banco Central Museum
  • San Mateo
  • Barbasquillo
  • Ecuador kitesurf school
  • Ocean Freaks
  • Narwell Cia Ltda
  • Plaza Casino
  • Santa Marianita
  • La Tiñosa
  • Fantasy Casino
  • Montecristi town

 

Best time to visit Portoviejo:

Between May to December will be the ideal time to enjoy holidays in Portoviejo.

 

Accommodation options in Portoviejo:

Portoviejo hosts many reputed hotels ranging from budget options to star rated hotels with tourist favor facilities like hot water bath, 24 hour internet connectivity, room service and help desk, room with private bathroom, spa and sauna, doctor on call, food on request as well as mouthwatering Manabi cuisines. The major hotels in and around Portoviejo are listed below:

  • Hotel Ceibo Real
  • Hotel Vista Hermosa
  • Hostal Reales Tamarindos
  • Canoa Beach Hotel
  • Cabanas Viejamar
  • Balandra Hotel Cabanas
  • Palmazul Artisan Designed Hotel & Spa
  • Oro Verde Hotel
  • Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel Manta Ecuador
  • Hotel Canoa’s Wonderland
  • Hotel Lun Fun Manta
  • Hosteria La Perla
  • La Piedra Hotel
  • Piedra del Mar Hotel Boutique
  • Los Suenos del Mar Resort

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Pastaza, Ecuador, America

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Pastaza, Ecuador, America

Pastaza is one of the provinces of Pastaza placed between 01°4′00″ S latitude and 78°00′04″ W longitude. Puyo is the capital of the province located around 345 km northeast of the country’s largest city, Guayaquil and 230 km southeast of Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

Pastaza is the largest province in terms of area and richest in biodiversity in Ecuador. The economy of Pastaza is centered on agricultural activities with the productions of bananas, tobacco, cocoa, coffee and grapefruit.

 

Geography of Pastaza:

Pastaza is divided into four cantons in the area 29,325 sq. km. and the cantons are:

  • Arajuno
  • Mera
  • Pastaza
  • Santa Clara

 

Climate in Pastaza:

Pastaza enjoys relatively warm and humid climate temperature ranging from 18 to 24° Celsius and receives an average annual rainfall of 7 meters and the highest elevation of Pastaza is 1,820 meters.

 

Connectivity to Pastaza:

There is a small airport in the town of Shell located around 8 km away from Puyo but not served by frequent flights, other than used during special occasions and medical emergencies.

Other nearby airports to Pastaza (Puyo) includes Edmundo Carvajal Airport and Mariscal Sucre International Airport which are situated 95 km and 250 km from Pastaza respectively.

There are regular buses running between Pastaza and its surrounding regions. Taxis and rental cars are available for local travel.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Pastaza:

The major events that take place in Pastaza include The Puyo Carnaval, the Chonta-Falm festival and the Day of the Ecuadorian East Amazon.

Shops and Restaurants are many and here is the list of major food corners in Pastaza:

  • El Pigual
  • El Fariseo
  • Boccatti
  • Chifa Terminal

 

Things to do in Pastaza:

  • Hiking
  • Shopping
  • Trekking

 

Tourist Attractions in Pastaza:

Pastaza River:

Pastaza River flows through many regions of Pastaza including Mera and measuring an approximate length of 710 km. Chambo, Huasaga and Bobonaza are the main tributaries of Pastaza.

 

Banos:

Banos is a neighboring town of Pastaza situated around 60 km away from Puyo connected with paved roads. It is home to numerous natural as well as man-made attractions including Church of the Virgin of the Holy Water, Cascada de La Virgen, Ruta de las Cascadas and El Manto de la Novia. Thermal bath is very famous here.

 

Shell Mera:

Shell Mera is one of the towns of Pastaza province deriving its name from the Royal Dutch Shell Company. There are many churches, missionary guest houses, Saints house as well as Rio Amazonas Airport serving Pastaza.

 

Other places of interest near Pastaza include:

  • Zoologico Tarqui
  • Jardin Botanico las Orquideas
  • Parque Etnobotanico Omaere
  • Mariana Miller Biological Reserve
  • Parque Juan Montalvo
  • Quinta Juan León Mera
  • La Catedral
  • Laguna Kilotoa
  • Ingahurco
  • Mall de los Andes
  • Parque Cevallos
  • Parque de la Familia
  • Miraflores

 

Ideal time to visit Pastaza:

Throughout the year is best to visit Pastaza, especially summer months will be more supportive for outdoor activities.

 

Accommodation options in Pastaza:

There are many well facilitated cottages, lodges and hotels placed in Pastaza serving both locals and visitors with their grand facilities and services with lots of love and care. The prominent hotels in Pastaza are listed below:

  • Hostal Las Palmas
  • Huella Verde Rainforest Lodge
  • Delfin Rosado Hotel & Spa
  • Hosteria Flor de Canela
  • Gran Hotel Amazonico
  • Hosteria Turingia
  • Hotel Posada Real
  • El Jardin Hotel Restaurante
  • Altos del Pastaza Lodge
  • Hostal El Colibri
  • Hostal Kanoas
  • Los Copales Cabanas Lodge
  • Hosteria Gio Bambua
  • Hotel San Luis

Places to Visit in Otavalo, Ecuador, America

Places to Visit in Otavalo, Ecuador, America

Otavalo is an indigenous town belonging to the province of Imbabura in Ecuador, is the seat of Otavalo Canton, located around 25 km southwest of the provincial capital, Ibarra and 95 km northeast of the national capital, Quito Canton.

Otavalo is especially noted for indigenous market which was designed by Dutch architect Tonny Zwollo in 1970 and the market offers a wide range of weaving textiles, tagua nut jewelry, dream catchers, indigenous costumes, spices and typical handicraft products. Saturday Market is very special which attracts visitors of Ecuador.

Other than market, Otavalo is also famous for its traditional music festivals that take place during the summer months with great enthusiasm and fervor.

 

Geography of Otavalo:

Otavalo is geographically positioned between 0°14′ N latitude and 78°16′ W longitude, surrounded by the three prominent mountains such as Imbabura, Mojanda and Cotacachi.

 

Connectivity to Otavalo:

The closest airport to Otavalo is Mariscal Sucre International Airport which is situated in Tababela, around 89 km away from the heart of Otavalo.

It takes around 2 hours from Quito to Otavalo by bus and buses generally depart from Terminal Carcelen in Quito to Otavalo, charging US$2.

The Otavalo and Las Lagos are the major bus companies providing services between Otavalo and Ibarra (provincial capital).

Tourists can use taxis or buses for local travel, taxis generally cost US$1 to move within the town.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Otavalo:

White trousers and dark blue ponchos are the traditional wears of Otavalo’s men while women wear white embroidered blouses and dark over skirts and white under skirts as their traditional dress.

Saturday Market is very popular and other markets include Otavalo Artisan Market and Mercado 24 de Mayo.

List of major food corners in Otavalo include:

  • Taco Bello
  • Cafe Pachamama
  • Hacienda Pinsaqui
  • The Red Pub

 

Things to do in Otavalo:

  • Purchase traditional handicrafts
  • Waterfalls
  • Mountains

 

Places of interest in Otavalo:

Otavalo indigenous market:

The traditional market of Otavalo is the identity of the town and there is a Mercado Artesanal at Plaza de Ponchos where tourists can purchase a wide variety of crafts and souvenirs such as typical jewelry, clothes, paintings, Panama hats and stone carvings. Mercado 24 de Mayo and Mercado de Animales are other special markets in Otavalo.

 

Peguche Waterfall:

Apart from the markets, Otavalo is a known for its natural attractions like Peguche Waterfall, Imbabura Mountain and San Pablo Lake. Peguche Waterfall is located around 3 km away from the town centre measuring a length of 18 meters.

 

Cuicocha Lake:

Situated about 14 km from Otavalo at the foot of Cotacachi Mountain, Cuicocha Lake is a beautiful lake attracting nature lovers from all around the country. It measures a length of 4 km and width of 3 km.

 

Other places of interest near Otavalo include:

  • Cerro Cayambe
  • Cotacachi Mountain
  • Chachimbiro hot springs
  • Cotacachi Village
  • Museo del Pueblo Kichwa
  • Laguna Cuicocha
  • Condor Park
  • Plaza De Los Ponchos Mercado
  • Galeria Gabriel Ceballos Ulloa
  • Amauta Pena Bar

 

Best time to visit Otavalo:

Summer months are best to visit Otavalo, especially Saturday is ideal to explore Otavalo Market.

 

Accommodation options in Otavalo:

Otavalo is a colorful town packed with full of traditional shops, food corners as well as upgraded accommodation centres. The prominent hotels in Otavalo are listed below:

  • Hacienda Pinsaqui
  • Casa Mojanda
  • La Posada del Quinde
  • Hotel Riviera-Sucre
  • Hotel Santa Fe
  • Hotel El Indio Inn
  • Hosteria Hacienda San Francisco
  • Casa de Lily
  • Hosteria Pueblo Viejo
  • Hosteria La Casa de Hacienda
  • Vista Del Mundo
  • Ali Shungu Mountaintop Lodge
  • El Refugio de Intag Lodge
  • Las Palmeras Inn
  • Hostal Dona Esther
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