Guayaquil: The Magical City!

Guayaquil is a sea port, and its personality derives much from that fact. Also, the climate is very hot. These two factors give the city a 'Caribbean' soul, where foreigners are usually well received, tropical music rules and seafood is a must do. The city has undergone a great change in these last 10 years as a result of great efforts made by the city administrators. Now you can find great parks and green areas all over the city (for example Peñas and the Malecon), and the city has a new look which attracts tourism from inside and outside the country.

Guayaquil served as the jumping-off point for the Galapagos Islands. But visitors typically lingered in this mainland city just long enough to board a flight to the archipelago, seldom straying beyond Guayaquil's airport or the safety of their hotel.

Pack your bags and make your plans now for enjoying a great trip to Guayaquil.

Tips to Get Cheap Galapagos Hotel Accommodation

Choose to stay in island hotels if you want to witness the extotic wildlife. Hotels in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Puerto Villamil, and Puerto Ayora are cheaper and not-so-in-demand compared to those in Florena, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela. But staying in hotels in the town would mean daily boat rides to other Galapagos Islands, especially if you want to see the wildlife. Staying in hotels in Florena and other islands would save you more on daily boat rides.

You should make an advanced reservation in your chosen hotel accommodation a few months before your travel. Do this especially if you want to stay near the beach. Hotels along the shore are usually full especially on peak season. Rooms are commonly sold out months before. Advanced reservation is usually cheaper than getting rooms on the spot.

Travel on off-peak season. The peak seasons of traveling to Galapagos Islands include the Christmas and Easter weeks. Even if you reserve well in advance, the rate might still be more expensive than having your travel during the off-peak season.

White Water Rafting in Tena, Ecuador!

River rafting is a challenging activity. Many people love exploring their limits by going down in the white water of Tena, Ecuador. The rafting in Tena may be the best in all of Ecuador, but the strength of the rivers can vary greatly based on the local rainfall. You need to enjoy strong thunderstorms all night under a thatched roof cabin.

Getting down to the water was an experience in itself. Over the centuries, the rivers have cut fairly deep gorges for themselves, and the previous night's rainfall had turned the trail - such as it was - to mud. Sinking up to your knees and having the mud suck the sandals off your feet was a common nuisance.

Whatever site you choose in enjoying the fun of white water rafting in Ecuador, you need to register with experienced tour operators. These people can help you to witness the best of the white water offering of this magical country.

Best Tours in Peru!

Explore the world of Peru, the most fascinating destination in South America. Visit Lima Peru, and its other wonderful cities: travel to Cusco, explore the incredible sites of Machu Picchu, Choquequirao, Sillustani or Kuelap, overfly the Nazca Lines, go into Manu rainforest, navigate the Titicaca Lake or walk the Inca Trail. Practice your favourite adventure sport in the coast, rivers or mountains, or be in touch with the widest variety of flora and fauna of the Peru Amazon jungle. Make your Peru hotel reservation now!

Peru is blessed with a rich and ancient past and a vibrant present, making it one of South America's most popular travel destinations. Heir to ancient cultures and a rich colonial tradition, Peru is a magical spot which involves one of the richest biodiversities of Earth, and is a melting pot of different cultures who together are forging the promise of a better future. Taking a trip to Peru means to live an experience that you will never forget!

Horseback Riding in Ecuador!

Ecuador provides enthusiasts riders with a surprisingly rich variety of opportunities. You can ride high in the Andes through the grassy páramo plains with glaciated volcanoes as a backdrop; through lowland tropical rain forest; or even through the many unique ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands.

Ecuador's specialty is the combined horseback riding/hacienda program. The country's extensive hacienda system makes it possible to ride through quilted pasture land from one hacienda to another, many of which now operate as country inns and send riders out with scrumptious country picnics.

Ecuador has a number of stables which rent good horses, and if you know where to look you can find pure Peruvian Pasos, Andalusians, and Arabs. Beginner riders are advised to hire the tough, mixed-blood "Criollo" horses. A warning: even healthy horses will generally look thin in the Sierra - at these altitudes the horses cannot afford to carry extra weight - so you will rarely find "bonnie", well-padded mounts.

Welcome to Guayaquil, Ecuador!

Guayaquil is the capital of the Guayas province and also the largest and most populous city in Ecuador. Located on the Pacific coast, it has a tropical climate, and is known as the ‘Pacific Pearl’. It is the main port of Ecuador, thus, it is of great economic importance to the country.
According to sources, the city was named after an Indigenous Chief, "Guayas", and his wife, "Quil". Both of them chose to die before surrendering themselves to the Spaniards.

Founded on July 25, 1534 by Francisco de Orellana on the skirts of the Santa Ana hill, the city has magical powers that attract everyone. On the top of this hill you can observe cannons that were used to defend the city from pirate attacks. Few houses preserve their original architecture, with defense walls facing the river. Many of these houses were built at different levels on the hill, very typical of the Spaniards and Portuguese.

Amazon Rainforest!

The soil of the rain forest is not fertile. The nutrients that supply this exuberant ecosystem are the product of a constant interaction between the living and dying organisms on the surface. Decomposition is vital to the dynamics of the forest. Thus, it is important to preserve this ecosystem in its entirety.

The temperature in tropical rain forests is quite stable, with a variation between day and night. However, this ecosystem is far from being stable. Rainfall is seasonal and results in major changes for the living organisms. Disturbances also add to the high dynamics of this ecosystem.
Many hypotheses have been made to explain the impressive high diversity in tropical rain forests, and each provides an insight for better understanding this complex ecosystem. The competition for resources has lead organisms to adapt to unique niches, thus resulting in a number of specialized and interdependent organisms.

Make your plans now to visit Amazon rainforest!

Haciendas Equator!

Two of the very famous things associated with Ecuador are Cacao and bananas. They are also an important source of income for the country. These products grow in exuberant extensive haciendas in the coast.

Some of these haciendas in the Guayas province are now open for tourists. They offer the opportunity to be immersed in a tropical ambiance, while learning about the cultivation process of these traditional products. In most cases, the owners of the haciendas themselves welcome tourists and are glad to show them around their properties, share stories of life in the haciendas, and answer any questions related to their plantations. They also offer fresh cocoa juice (a tasty drink unknown for many), exotic fruits that grow amidst the extensive plantations and colorful gardens, and delicious typical food.

The Haciendas on the offer additional fascinating activities for tourists: bird watching, horseback riding, milking cows, kayaking, canoe rides, etc. If you are lucky, you might also coincide with a banana cargo to a multinational like Dole.