Humidity, blasts of hot air, heavy traffic... Embark for Guayaquil, the largest city of Ecuador even though Quito is the capital. We're off for a visit of the "Pearl of the Pacific", from its landscaped river promenade (the Malecón 2000) to the cerro Santa Ana, not to mention the city centre!

Guayaquil, pearl of the Pacific

In this article you will find a presentation of Isla de la Plata, nicknamed "the poor-man's Galapagos", which can be reached from Puerto López.

Leaving Puerto López for the little Galapagos

Ecuadorian Amazonia possesses the densest biodiversity in the world. With its 6034 square kilometres, the reserve is an incredible mix of rivers and flooded forests (due to the large quantities of annual rainfall in the Amazon). The result? A part of the Amazon that is unique and which will not leave you unaffected...

Cuyabeno, the jewel of the Amazon in Ecuador

In this article we visit Otavalo, the best market in Ecuador and perhaps the best in the world.

Otavalo and its most wonderful markets

Quito

Otavalo

Amazonia

Riobamba

A small town in centre of this country on the edge of South America, tourists love Guamote for its weekly market on Thursdays, but there are lots of other things to do!

South America

Ecuador

Guamote

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

Asia

Middle East

Oceania

I made sure to be in Guamote on a Thursday in order to see the market but I was expecting to stay for several days. As I was the only one staying at the inn none of the usual activities (visiting Chimborazo volcano, off road biking, etc.) were available. It was a bit of a shame, but instead it was suggested that I go with the volunteers from a local association who were touring the local schools to give them a show and some Christmas presents. Something a bit off the beaten path that would give me the chance to meet the locals! That evening we celebrated Christmas at the village school. A (long) mass was followed by a great dance! The next day I walked along a railway line and across some fields in the area. For the moment the village was empty, but on Thursday, which was market day and the day the train came through, it would be heaving.

A small town in centre of this country on the edge of South America, tourists love Guamote for its weekly market on Thursdays, but there are lots of other things to do!

When I was in Ecuador, this train normally arrived in Guamote around 9:00 am. At these times the whole town would suddenly come to life. The tourists had about twenty minutes to wolf down an empanada (a kind of filled pastry turnover) and a white, corn-based drink. Or at least this is what the locals ate and drank. I enjoyed the turnover thing, but I wasn't really a fan of the beverage. I did quite like the colours at the station however. When you visit Ecuador, you really do feel like you're in the Andes: it has that typical traditional Andean feel.
The journey started to feel long to me after we left Guamote. Fortunately, however, my travelling companion passed the time telling me stories about Ecuador's cities; and I have do have to admit that the scenery was very nice. Especially notable were the areas of paramo we passed through (a kind of alpine tundra), and we also got to see some wonderful scenes of local everyday life. A lot of problems have since occurred with this train and changes have been made to the way it operates.

This exclusively tourist-oriented train from Riobamba to Nariz del Diablo made a short stop at Guamote.

Guamote Holidays

Guamote: How to get there?

Guamote: See when to go?

Guamote: For how long?

Guamote: What to see nearby?

Ecuador: our articles for your holidays