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

Between Quito and Otavalo, at the foot of the volcano of the same name,  Cayambe is a lively and pleasant small town in which to spend a few hours during your visit to Ecuador. 

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I left Quito to explore the north of the country and Cayambe appeared to me to be an iteresting place to stop. I had my 18 kg back pack, and there was nowhere to leave it at the bus station while I walked around the town, which was bad news. So it was going to be a quick tour... first of all I went to the town square, which was quite lively for a week day. I thumbed through my guide to find the best route (so I didn't give my back too much trouble as it had already been suffering for several weeks!) A man came to speak to me. I was inclined not to trust him but he seemed nice. I explained to him the problem I had with my bag. He suggested I leave it in a restaurant whose owner he knew. I followed him. We ate lunch together and then I left to do my little tour of the town. The church on the main square is definitely worth the visit - it's totally kitsch inside! I went on, not forgetting to have a foodie stop at a bizcochos maker (you even can visit the bakery ) and then I went back to pick up my bag. The only other thing to do was take the bus to Otavalo...

Between Quito and Otavalo, at the foot of the volcano of the same name, Cayambe is a lively and pleasant small town in which to spend a few hours during your visit to Ecuador.

During my trip to Ecuador I was lucky enough to meet up with a friend of a friend who is a native of the area and just happens to be a mountain guide.
With him I was able to visit the Ecuador sierra a little differently to most tourists. During a trip to the north, we didn't settle for just go to see the famous Saturday market at Otavalo. We also went on a day long hike in the Cayambe area.
At this time of year there weren't any roses but we were able to see various crops and Marcelo showed me some local plants. I was particularly struck by lechero, a plant whose sap is a bit like milk. We finally reached the San Pablo lake, which is at the foot of the Inbabura and Cayambe volcanos, the latter being the third highest in the country.

Cayambe is the name of a small town, a volcano and of an area where roses grow, in the north of Ecuador.

Cayambe Holidays

Cayambe: How to get there?

Cayambe: See when to go?

Cayambe: For how long?

Cayambe: What to see nearby?

Ecuador: our articles for your holidays