Destinations And Sightseeing

A. Cuenca

The city of Cuenca offers numerous sightseeing opportunities and is a veritable paradise for visitors interested in the colonial era.

1. Parque Calderon

The city of Cuenca revolves around the Parque Calderon, the city's main plaza. The remarkable New Cathedral (Catedral de la Inmaculada) and its enormous blue domes dominate the plaza. The Old Cathedral (El Sagrario) is located on the opposite side of the plaza. Construction of the New Cathedral was commenced in 1885 and, after numerous stops and starts, was finally completed in 1967. The construction of the El Sagrario started in 1557 the same year in which Cuenca was founded.

2. Inca Ruins

The Inca Ruins are located along Calle Larga, and Avenida Todos los Santos. Although the Spaniards destroyed most of the complete structures, some interesting walls and stonework still stand along this stretch. Ingapirca is Ecuador's most significant ruin and lies about 70 kilometers north of Cuenca on the Pan American Highway.

3. Church of Santo Domingo

Church of Santo Domingo is the second largest church in the city and features twin forty-meter high brick towers and a beautiful facade. The church is located at Gran Colombia and Padre Aguirre.

4. Church of San Blas

The Church of San Blas is the only church built using a Latin cross and is currently the largest one in Cuenca. The original church, constructed in the 16th century was replaced with a new one in the beginning of the 20th century.

5. Church of Todos Santos

Church of Todos Santos is Cuenca's first church and lies next to one of the four crosses that mark the city's original limits. The church is situated on the descent of Todos Santos off of Calle Larga near the river.

6. Museo del Banco Central

Museo del Banco Central contains a large collection of black and white photos of 19th and early 20th century Cuenca, complemented by displays of artifacts and archeological pieces. The entrance to the Museo del Banco Central is on Calle Larga near Huayna Capac.

B. Quito

The capital city of Ecuador features a beautiful Andean landscape, with rolling hills, deep blue skies and quaint narrow streets that are dotted with churches, convents and monasteries, each having its own distinct structure.

1. Old Town

The old town has a colonial ambiance and a distinct historic feeling to it. As you wander through its streets built on a series of hills, you will pass scores of interesting sites including a crowded market sector peaking on Saturdays with vendors all yelling for your attention. The old town also hosts various museums, parks, plazas and government congress buildings as well as some glorious churches, cathedrals, historical buildings of architectural delight.

2. Plaza de la Independencia

Plaza de la Independencia incorporates the Palacio de Gobierno and the Cathedral built between 1550-1562, although the tower was only completed in the late 1900s. The walls of the Plaza are decorated with paintings of the founders of the country's capital and other 17th and 18th century oil paintings.

Adjacent to the Cathedral on the western wing is the Palacio de Gobierno, constructed in the 17th century, which was later replaced by a neoclassical appearance and re-sculptured by the country's first Republic president Flores.

Level one of the building boasts a massive mural of Orellana successfully journeying the Amazon while the exterior balconies are ornately decorated in ironwork from the Parisian Tuilleries.

3. Parque la Alameda

Parque la Alameda is located north of the old town. The park has numerous lakes, a spiral tower in the northwest sector of the park called El Churo as well as South America's oldest observatory.

4. Parque Metropolitano

Located at the back of Estadio Atahualpa, Parque Metropolitano is the largest urban park in South America. The park is used for jogging, long walks and biking. This large unscathed forest area occasionally has packs of wild Alpaca and Llama parading around the park in large groups. The parking area near the local guardhouse overlooks the spectacular valley of Cumbaya.

C. Guayaquil

The colorful and vibrant city of Guayaquil will catch you by its febrile rhythm and its seductive nights. Parks, lakes and plazas at the city are the main crowd pullers.

1. Mercado Artesanal

If you enjoy shopping, you must visit the Mercado Artesanal, which is the largest artisan market, located in the middle of Loja Street and Montalvo and Córdova and Chimborazo. The market is renowned for its well-priced paintings, jewelry and local crafts.

2. Plaza Centenario

Plaza Centenario is the city's largest plaza and spans over 4 blocks half way up 9 de Octubre. The plaza boasts a monument portraying the Liberty of Guayaquil with the founding fathers of the country surrounding it paying homage to patriotism. The plaza also feature several other monuments.

3. Seminario Park

The Seminario Park, also known as Parque Bolivar, is located on Avenida 10 de Agosto and Chile. The park is home to several iguanas that have become accustomed to the presence of human life in the area. Often found on the ground or in the trees surveying the area for food and leftovers from park visitors, they do not resemble the same species of iguanas found on the Galapagos Island. The statue of Simon Bolivar and a small pond of colorful Tilapias can be found in the center of the park.

4. The City Cemetery

The City Cemetery lies in the northern half of the city. The cemetery comprises of large monuments, high-rise tombs and mausoleums of the rich. A large area of flower stalls lies under a bridge opposite the cemetery. A renowned landmark above the market and cemetery is the Cerro El Carmen, the Angel of Protection that overlooks the city from its regal high point.

D. Galapagos Islands

The archipelago of the Galapagos Islands is situated in the Pacific Ocean and consists of 125 islands that emerged from the bottom of the sea over 3 million years ago. The total surface of the islands is 8,009 square kilometers, 97% of which is the national park of Galapagos. The islands are characterized by frequent volcanic eruptions. The pre-historic iguanas and giant turtles on the islands basking in the sun are world-renowned.