Ecuador - Cheap flights to Ecuador

Cuenca is the capital of the province Azuay, located in the south of Ecuador, in the valley in the Andes. It is the third biggest city in the country, populated by around 400 thousand people. It’s proper name is Santa Ana de los Cuatro Ríos de Cuenca. The city’s centre got on the UNESCO world heritage list in 1999 due to its numerous historical buildings.

Cuenca is growing popular among tourists. Due to quite high quality of life of citizens, Cuenca is compared to European cities or North American ones. The city is nicknamed Athens of Ecuador, as in architecture are seen European influences. The centre of the city is one of the best preserved in the country, buildings are harmoniously located, you can feel there spirit of old times and colonial style. While staying in the city, you will certainly get impressed by views, that are provided by the direct neighbourhood of the mountains.

There is an airport in the city (Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Lamar). It serves airlines AeroGal, LAN Ecuador iTAME and yearly around one and half million passengers go through it. The airport is in close distance from a bus station – around five minutes on foot. The bus station is called Terminal Terrestre and is situated by Avenida España, in the northern-eastern part of the city.

Cuenca is full of life, you will find there plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes. Most of them are located by Calle Larga. In El Mercado, at Calle Larga 8-27 y Luis Cordero, or in El Jardin, at Calle Larga 6-93 y Antonio Borrero, you can try regional, south American cuisine. If you feel like eating something in modern style – visit Gastro Todosantos at Calle Larga 5-19 y Mariano Cueva. While in the city, make sure to taste local snacks – among them fritada (which main ingredient is beef, firstly cooked, then baked) or hornado (pork baked in whole, served with corn seed, baked potatoes and vegetables).

Nueva Loja is the capital of Sucumbíos province and the most heavily populated city in tropical Amazonian rainforests of Ecuador. In the mid-twentieth century, rich oil fields were discovered in the area – that is why the city is often referred to as the oil capital of the country – yet it attracts not only businessmen but also tourists who wish to visit jungle.

Until the 1960s, the city situated just 297 meters above sea level was inhabited mainly by indigenous tribes, a few missionaries, and rubber merchants. After the discovery of oil deposits, the village at first became a base for Texaco company, and then it began to grow rapidly. Today it has become the most important city in the region. Its official name is Neuva Loja, but locals usually refer to it simply as Lago (Lago Agrio). It is a perfect set out point for jungle exploration and animal observation trips.

This is where most travelers start their one-and-a-half hour journey to the Reserva de Producción Faunística Cuyabeno sanctuary, where you can admire jaguars, pumas, boa or anaconda snakes, and dolphins, among other rare animals, as well as over 580 species of birds. In the city, there is also an ecological recreation park “Lago Agrio” with a 2000 meters long and 3000 meters wide lagoon, and some interesting examples of Amazonian vegetation. You can spend time actively here renting kayaks and bicycles or taking long strolls and just indulge yourself with the sweetness of doing nothing.

Amazonian cuisine in Ecuador is based on fresh fish and tropical fruit, such as granadilla, passion fruit, naranjilla, bananas, and taxo. The best-known dishes of the region include maito (grilled red tilapia wrapped with bijao leaves, served with fried manioc), fried piranha with bananas, biche de Cameron (peanut soup) and sopa de encebollada (white tuna soup). If you fancy a snack straight in the street, choose mayón (roasted, fried or boiled larva of a black amazon beetle) or colada (a fruit cocktail). Where to eat? For genuine street food visit Avenida Quito.

A port city on the northern West of Ecuador is vibrant ever since the first settlement was founded there in 1526. The city is famous for beautiful beaches and richness of historical buildings from times of the Spanish reign. The city’s life was focused on port ever since its beginning, which has remained the most important trading centre in Esmeraldas.

Perfect place for sunbathing and relaxing whole year around – pleasant seaside climate and sandy beaches makes you want to spend there idly whole days. Dou you fancy a bit of adrenaline? On local beaches there is very popular doing ocean canoeing. Travelling in canoe alongside shore brings a lot of thrill.

When you get tired of the sun, you can find solace in nature reserve that are stretched along the seaside, often just by the beach. Visit Manglares Mataje – Cayapas, a forest preserve, where many wild animals live. This place is especially appreciated by birds’ observers.

The most typical souvenir you can bring back from Esmeraldas is Panama hat made od leaves of specific type of palm tree that grows in that region. A hat will serve you from the first day of your trip as protection from the sun. Go to get it to a market near the port.

Local cuisine, thanks to great conditions for fishing, since centuries has been dominated by fishes and seafood, especially crabs and shrimps. Dish that you certainly have to try is encocado do pescado – fish flavoured with coconut milk. To try some local tastes, ask also for tapao, dish with wheat, fish and bananas. When it comes to seafood, order arroz con menestra, camarón y patacones – rice with lentil, shrimps and fried green banana. The best traditional cuisine you will find in Cafeteria restaurant Bolivar, located on crossroad of Olmedo and Quito.