Tag Archives for " Ecuador "

2 Weeks in the Galápagos for $600

The Galápagos Islands.  They’re famous for being the place where Darwin made some important observations which contributed to his world-changing theory of evolution.  It’s a paradise for lovers of birds and wildlife and geology.  Giant tortoises, iguanas that have adapted to swimming in the ocean, Galápagos penguins and other unique and endemic species live in abundance here–and they’ve never developed a fear of predators.  You can walk right up to wild birds and they keep on doing their thing, as if you weren’t even there.  Snorkeling and diving opportunities balance out the hiking and wildlife activities for a very fun, well-rounded and educational vacation.
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A Unique Adventure in Baños, Ecuador (+ 5 Tips for Learning a New Language Before a Trip)

Yellow house in Baños EcuadorThe bright yellow house down in the green jungle valley below beckoned us. We were in Baños, one of the most popular tourist towns in Ecuador, walking up a dirt road off the tourist radar, beyond all the hostels, tour companies, and restaurants and into the surrounding farmlands. Huge greenhouses growing babaco fruit (which resembles a papaya but tastes completely different) and tomates dulces (”sweet tomatoes”—another tropical fruit that resembles a tomato but is unrelated) dotted the hillsides. The yellow house had a huge sign on it which read, “Cafe Bar.” We strained to see a road to the place, perhaps in the trees behind the building… But it looked like it was down there by itself, in the jungle across a river canyon, with only a footpath leading to it. Continue reading