Hidden Places in Ecuador
Those special,
hidden places
in Ecuador that only the locals know about are awaiting your
discovery. Secret beaches with endless stretches of white
sand, secluded hideaways, jungle retreats rich with rare
orchids,
birds and butterflies -- Ecuador has it all. The entire
country
of Ecuador is a treasure trove of little-known jewels, some seldom
visited even by locals. The Poor Man’s Galapagos
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It is much more
accessible, less expensive and is home to many of the same species
found on the Galapagos Islands. Click
here to learn more about Isla de la Plata, AKA poor man's Galapagos. Kashama: A Pastel
Jungle Hideaway
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It’s
a fairyland of
pastel-colored buildings curving sinuously up the hillsides and cliffs
that surround a limpid pool and dramatic waterfall. You
can
pamper yourself with a variety of therapeutic and cosmetic treatments,
including body and facial massage, reflexology, hydro-therapy and
aromatherapy. Click
here to read
more about Kashama.
Dry Tropical Forests of Parque
Nacional Machalilla
Nothing quite prepares your eyes for the sight of the oddly-shaped
trees in the dry tropical forests of Parque Nacional
Machalilla.
Their hourglass shapes are spiked with formidable thorns and capped
with crown-like tops, creating an inland landscape that is both foreign
and delightful.
At higher altitudes there are misty cloud forests with giant gray kapok
trees. Throughout the park there
co-exists a mixture of plants and
animals I don’t usually think of as living in the same
habitat. Few places, even in Ecuador, contain such a
variety
of
unlikely bedfellows. There are parrots and seabirds, howler monkeys,
anteaters, iguanas and deer. Click here to read about Parque Nacional Machalilla.
El Crater Hotel and
Pululahua Crater
One of our favorite retreats in Ecuador is the beautiful El Crater Hotel sitting on a ridge above the Pululahua Crater, a short distance from Quito. Whether for a night or just for lunch, this is a great place to spend some time.
Laguna de Cuicocha and Beyond to
Intag
While Laguna de Cuicocha is one of the most beautiful places in Ecuador
to visit, it is very popular with tourists and Ecuadorians
alike. To encounter another of
the hidden places in Ecuador one must venture
beyond the entrance to Laguna de Cuicocha and enter the reserve of
Intag.
An area less visited by tourists, this ruggedly beautiful area
encompasses only a small part of Ecuador, yet it seems vast because
travel is so slow along its rutted and winding roads. Yet,
with a
little perseverance, one can hike along roaring rivers, ride mules to
the mountain retreat of Los Cedros and soak in hidden thermal
springs. An especially nice one is located near the town of
an
hour from the town of Apuela.
Intag is one of the most
biologically diverse areas on the planet,
currently threatened by destructive mining practices.
Click here
to read more about Laguna de Cuicocha and Beyond to Intag.
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