So I was raised to have the heart of a nomad. And because I’m South American – I was born in Guyana and I had to visit Ecuador. I have heard so much about this authentic country about the indigenous people, to the middle of the world, the excellent quality of chocolate, nature, yummy empanadas and much more…

Here is how I spent my 5 days in Ecuador:

Day 1: June 14, 2021 in Banos, Ecuador

🔶Flew into Quito on June 14, 2021 at 12:48 AM EST – my flight was delayed.

🔷Stayed at the the Casa Montero Hotel- located in the heart of Quito.

🔶Took a day trip from Quito to Banos. It’s 5 hour drive each way. The bus ticket is $4; but I had a private and affordable driver/now friend.

🔷Swing At The Edge Of The World At La Casa Del Arbol. I couldn’t go as high as I wanted cause the elevation got to me; thinking cause I didn’t eat before I did this activity. Entrance fee was $1.

🔶Hiked Pailon Del Diablo Viewpoint. Entrance fee was $3. Go at a slow pace. Have a good meal before going.

🔷 Hopped on a small cable car heading towards Cascada Manto De La Novia waterfall. Entrance fee was $2.

🔶Admired the beauty of the Nuestra Senora Del Rosario De Agua Santa Church. It’s located in the center of the city.

🔷 Had an authentic Ecuadorian lunch. It was only $5 and I thought I was in a 5 star restaurant.

🔶Tried Out Locally Made Taffy; they only make this in Banos, Ecuador.

Day 2: June 15, 2021 in Quito, Ecudaor

This day was dedicated to museum hopping and exploring cafes in Downtown Quito, but that didn’t work out cause most of the museums I’d wanted to visit were closed. So I went with my Plan B.

🔶Visited the Basilica del Voto Nacional. Climbed to the top to check out the view and also enjoyed some hot chocolate (Ecuador is known for their chocolate) at the cafe inside of the Basilica. Entrance fee was $2 to get into the Basilica and an additional $2 to experience the rooftopview.

🔷Visited the Virgin del Panecillo. Entrance fee was $1. You’ll get amazing views of the Northern and Southern neighborhoods in Quito. You can also see the 6 volcanoes if it’s not a cloudy day.

🔶Enjoyed chicken empanadas and an Ecuadorian alcoholic drink – Canelazo at Pim’s restaurant.

🔷Walked the streets of Quito. Found myself in the historical center of the city called Plaza Grande. Posed in front of Quito’s Presidential Palace Palacio de Carondelet. So I heard the President comes out every Monday mornings to greet the locals.

🔶Toured the San Francisco church. Free to enter.

🔷In Quito they served a lot of beef and pork which is not my thing. So I actually played it safe and had KFC for dinner cause I had an early tour the next morning & didn’t want to irritate my stomach. BTW they serve rice and beans at the KFCs in Quito.

Day 3: June 16, 2021 in Otavalo, Ecudaor.

🔶Took a day trip to the city of Otavalo in Ecuador. It’s about 2 hour or so away from Quito, Ecudaor. Otavalo is the hub for the indigenous Ecuadorian tribes. They still have 14 distinctive Ecuadorian tribes living there. Cool thing is that everyone come as a community to keep the authenticity alive.

🔷Enjoyed an Ecuadorian fruit called Chirimoya. You can buy it from the road side for $1.

🔶Enjoyed traditional Bizcochos in a town called Cayambein Ecuador. They sell the best and authentic Bizcochos there. You can get 20 Bizcochos for $1.

🔷Visited the Cuicocha Lagoon. It’s surrounded by three volcanoes. It’s an interesting story the woman volcano was married to one of the male volcano situated in the City of Quito, but then the woman Volcano fell in love with this other male volcano who was closer to her in Cuicocha. She had lost her baby for her husband so the lake Cuicocha Lagoon represents her tears.

🔶Visited the largest indigenous market in South America and it’s located in Otavalo, Ecuador. Here you can find all types of authentic indigenous craft work.

🔷Refreshed by the Cascadas de Peguche waterfall. It’s so gorgeous!

🔶Also observed the dry forest. Amazingly beautiful.

🔷Met another traveler from Berlin, Germany and enjoyed a gorgeous view of the city of Quito, Ecuador in the evening. Additionally had some delicious warm wine, great food and excellent conversation. Definitely check out the rooftop of the Secret Gardens located in a hostel. It’s totally worth it.

Day 4: June 17, 2021 in Ciudad Mitad del Muno, Ecudaor.

🔶Took a half day trip to Ciudad Mitad del Muno – happens to be the middle of earth/world. This is where the equator passes through. Imagine being in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the exact same moment. This was one of my bucket list item. But…later they found out that the true equator is located 240 meters south. Still flipping cool! Oh bring your passport to get stamped!!

🔷Visited the only inhabitant Volcano in the world called the Pululahua volcano. About 200 indigenous Ecuadorians live here.

🔶Had delicious chicken empanadas and with my tour guide & another traveler I met from Washington D.C. in the USA. Each empanada costed $1.

🔷Had a traditional Ecuadorian cuisine for dinner called Seco de pollo.

🔶Sealed the night with some yummy sweet empanadas with two American travelers I met at the hotel I’m staying.

Day 5 & final Day in Ecuador: June 18, 2021 in Mindo, Ecudaor

🔶Took a day trip from Quito to Mindo. So Mindo is about a two hour drive from Quito. I’d wanted to explore the chocolate factory and the butterfly conservatory.

🔷Unfortunately the chocolate factory does not open on Fridays. That’s cool I had a chocolate tasting in a local cafe in Mindo, where I learned about the chocolate world in Mindo. Tour was $8. FYI, Ecuador is known to the world for their organic and variety of rich chocolate.

🔶Mingled with hundreds of butterflies in the butterfly conservatory. Entry Fee $15. There is a forest you can also walk through.

🔷BTW; my driver and now good friend is Rodrigo. He helped me executed my list of things I wanted to do in Ecuador when I was not touring with a larger group. I was introduced to him by a friend of a friend. Definitely recommend reaching out to him if you plan on visiting Quito. I can pass along his info. Good family oriented guy.

🔶Had delicious breaded chicken, potato fries, rice and coco cola for lunch at a local restaurant in Mindo before our drive back to Quito.

🔷Silly me made sure I was at the airport a few hours before my flight just in case. The airport in Quito is about 40 minutes without traffic. Traffic gets insane between 7AM – 10AM and 6PM – 9PM. Be proactive with your planning.

My experience in Ecuador was beyond awesome! It’s so affordable once you get to Ecuador. Ecuador will not disappoint you.

I hope this blog was helpful and please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you!