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

Quilotoa

Cotopaxi

Chilcapamba

Calpi

In Machalilla National Park,  the Agua Blanca site is managed by the community of the same name. Guides from the village will take  you around the site, which is ideal if you want to meet local people!

South America

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Aguas Blancas

Europe

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Oceania

Agua Blanca is easily got to by bus from Puerto Lopez so it seemed like it was worth a visit. The bus dropped me on the road, but there was still 3 km to walk in the blazing sun...I was grateful to the attendant who offered me a ride on his motorbike to get there and accepted willingly! I was alone and you need a group to start the visit. Two Americans, a father and his archaeologist daughter, arrived so we could begin. The exploration of the site begins with a visit to the little archaeological museum. Then we went through the forest where there were lots of birds. The really interesting part of the visit are the archaeological digs - as they only began 35 years ago there is still a lot to discover about the mateña culture (from the 7th to the 16th century). The walk ends with a dip in a pool of sulphurous water, which you plunge into covered in mud. It stinks, but apparently it is excellent for the skin so I tried it!

In Machalilla National Park, the Agua Blanca site is managed by the community of the same name. Guides from the village will take you around the site, which is ideal if you want to meet local people!

Aguas Blancas Vacations

Aguas Blancas: How to get there?

Aguas Blancas: When to go?

Aguas Blancas: For how long?

Aguas Blancas: What to see in the surroundings?

Ecuador: our articles for your vacation