Category: Ecuador Travel Blog

In our travel blog you can read about experiences in Ecuador, ecuadorian history, culture, traditions and costums as well as getting valuable travel tips


Quito the Leading Tourist Destination in South America.

church of san francisco

Quito the Leading Tourist Destination in South America Mathew Recognition from the World Travel Awards (WTA) The “Oscars of Tourism” are the World Travel Awards (WTA). They honor excellence in the global tourism sector each year. Quito’s popularity as a tourist destination and the value of the experiences it offers visitors is evidenced by the fact that […]

Centro Histórico – A guided tour of the old town of Quito

A guided tour of the old town of Quito SOLEQMASTER The Centro Histórico If you want to get to know Quito better in a short time, you should go to its old town, because from here everything is within walking distance. The Centro Histórico offers not only a great ambience, but also large squares, several […]

Carnival in Quito 2023

carnival and foam in the Mariscal

Carnival in Quito 2023 Maria S. Like last year, I spent the Carnival holidays in Quito this year. I was eager to see the program without pandemic-related restrictions. On Quitocultura I had informed myself about the individual activities, although I had the impression that the program was more extensive last year. International carnival parade in […]

4 days in the Yasuní National Park – Day 3 – 4

squirrel monkey at Yasuni national park

In the middle of the Amazon Rainforest – Day 3 and 4 at the Napo Wildlife Center SOLEQMASTER Diego and I spent our first 1.5 days at the Napo Cultural Center and were allowed to visit the Añangu community. We traveled from Coca to the Napo Cultural Center on the first day. On the second […]

4 days in the Yasuní National Park – Day 2

canoe ride in the Yasuni national park on Napo River

4 days in Yasuni National Park – Day 2 SOLEQMASTER The first part of this blog series deals with the journey to Coca and the first day in the Yasuní National Park. This part is about lots of parrots, saying goodbye to the Napo Cultural Center, a two-hour canoe trip with lots of wildlife experiences, […]

New Years Eve 2022 in Ecuador – The “old year” tradition

colorful old years

New Year’s Eve 2022 in Ecuador – The Tradition of the “Old Year“ Diego Farewell to the old year in the traditional way in Ecuador Following the tradition of December 31 dolls are made of various materials: Cardboard, paint, newsprint, flex foam, fabric, wood, sawdust, cotton, etc. The idea is to represent in some way […]

4 days in the Yasuní National Park – Day 1

National Park Yasuní

4 DAYS IN THE NATIONAL PARK YASUNÍ DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND FIRST ADVENTURES SOLEQMASTER 4 DAYS IN THE NATIONAL PARK YASUNÍ – DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND FIRST ADVENTURES The Yasuní National Park was the destination of the next 4 days for Diego and me. I am Elisabeth and currently an intern at SOLEQ.travel. The two […]

The traditional ecuadorian Fanesca

Pot with Fanesca dish inside

The traditional ecuadorian Fanesca SOLEQMASTER A typical dish that you can enjoy only here in Ecuador. Fanesca is a delicious soup made of cooked tender legumes, especially prepared at Easter. Although Easter was a while ago this year, we don’t want to deprive you of this delicious dish. History of the Fanesca. In Latin America, it is […]

Avocados in Ecuador – A visit to Hacienda Verde

Soleq.travel team tasting the products of Hacienda Verde

Team excursion to hacienda verde Maria S. Arriving to Hacienda Verde On Saturday two weeks ago, the Quito office team went on a trip to Hacienda Verde near Guayllabamba. We left early Quito in the morning, headed towards Otavalo and turned left after the bridge over the river Pisque, following the path to the protected […]

Recreational areas in Cumbaya

Path in the Algarrobos Parc in Cumbaya

Recreacional Areas in Cumbaya Maria S. After a two-day trip to Papallacta and a relaxing visit to the spa there, I headed back towards Quito. This time I wanted to take a closer look at Tumbaco and to the recreacional areas in Cumbaya on the way. I had often driven through these two suburbs of […]

Trip to the thermal baths of Papallacta

spa papallacta, Healing bath

Trip to the thermal baths of Papallacta Emilia We took the opportunity last weekend to go on a day trip to the thermal baths of Papallacta and to enjoy the wonderfully warm water of the baths and the nature. We left Quito by car at 8 o’clock in the morning and passed the Cayambe-Coca National […]

Carnival in Quito

foam carnival quito, carnival dancing girl

Carnival in Quito – a colorful experience Maria S. Two weeks ago carnival was celebrated in Ecuador. The holiday lasted from Saturday to Tuesday. I never had spent Carnival in Quito before, so I was excited to see what the Ecuadorian capital would offer. Various program items that I had read in an agenda from […]

What to do at the Mitad del Mundo

equator monument

What to do at the Mitad del Mundo JULIA One of the many special features of Ecuador is its location on the equator. Therefore, during a trip to this beautiful and diverse country, a visit to the equator should not be missed. In the north of the capital Quito is one of the most popular […]

Visit to the domes of the churches of Quito

View church Compania

Visit to the domes of the churches of Quito SOLEQMASTER Get to know the city of Quito from above. The other day our agency, SOLEQ.travel, was invited by the metropolitan public company of Quito Tourism Destination Management to get to know one of the secrets of the city of Quito. This time I was the […]

Current entry regulations for Ecuador and Galapagos

view from plane window

Current entry regulations for Ecuador and Galapagos Maria S. Last Uptdate: 11.02.2022 As in the whole world, the regulations for entering Ecuador and Galapagos are currently changing very frequently due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With this article we want to give you an overview of current regulations and measures for your trip to Ecuador and […]

10 must-see places in Quito

Quito

10 must-see places in Quito JULIA Quito is the capital of Ecuador and due to its altitude of 2850 meters it is the highest capital in the world. With its 1.4 million inhabitants, Quito is the second largest city in the country, after Guayaquil. The historic center of the Andean metropolis was declared a World […]

Ambato & Patate

Parque Montavalo

Exploring Ecuador’s Charms: Ambato and Patate JULIA Most tourists know the small town of Baños, located to the south of Quito on the edge of the rainforest. But not as many people know the places Ambato and Patate, which you can pass on the way there. In the following blog I will write about my […]

A day at the Pyramids of Cochasqui

Hill-cochasqui

A day at the Pyramids of Cochasqui DAYANA One of the archaeological sites near the city of Quito, capital of Ecuador, are the Pyramids of Cochasqui, which are located at 3100 meters above sea level. From the historic center, you have an 1 hour and 30 minute drive along a first class road. From the […]

Quilotoa kayaking

Quilotoa lagoon – A great place kayaking MICHELLE Last weekend I decided to do one of the day trips I’ve been dreaming about since the beginning of my stay in Ecuador – visiting Quilotoa Lagoon. In this blog you will learn everything you need to know about the destination itself, how to get there, the […]

The “Laguna de Yambo” – Discover Ecuador’s breathtaking nature

Laguna de yambo – discover ecuador’s breathtaking nature MICHELLE GETTING TO THE LAGOON Do you know already die LAGUNA DE YAMBO? DISCOVER with me ECUADOR’S BREATHTAKING NATURE.  My first excursion outside the national capital Quito was to the “Laguna de Yambo” near Latacunga, about two hours away by car. Already the drive there was an […]

Ecuador is a safe travel destination – visit it!

Ecuador safe destination

Ecuador is a safe travel destination – visit it! MATHEW I can assure you that Ecuador is one of the most beautiful destinations in South America, and if you are planning a visit but feel unsure because of the reputation that precedes South America as “risky”; let me tell you that it is somehow natural […]

Actual requirements for travelling Ecuador

Mathy eCUador opens its doors for tourism again last updated: 03.02.2022 Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, several countries have issued entry restrictions, establishing health and safety measures for foreign tourists. Ecuador is not exempt from that, but it is among the countries that are open to tourism and have allowed travelers from various countries […]

Chimborazo: Ascent to the highest volcano in Ecuador

chimborazo, highest volcano of ecuador

Ascent to the highest volcano in Ecuador: Chimborazo MARIA The fact that Riobamba as a travel destination is generally very often underestimated, I will go into more detail in another blog article about Riobamba itself. Now I will talk about the reason why most people visit Riobamba in the first place: The city is a […]

Cumbayá – the wealthy east of Quito

art in the park of cumbaya

Cumbayá – the wealthy east of Quito MARIA CUMBAYÁ – THE WEALTHY EAST OF QUITO The typical Ecuador – in Quito you can experience this best in the historical old town. Because in the Centro Histórico street vendors do their business. Indigenous people perform their dances and you can have lunch in the colourful, crooked […]

Hiking around Santa Rita Eco-Reserve

Hiking around Santa Rita Eco-reserve Angela The SOLEQ.travel team set out to explore an area we did not know yet: Santa Rita Eco-reserve. A beautiful place in the middle of nature, that not a lot of people know about. As our team likes to keep their reputation of true Ecuador experts, we are always looking […]

Adventure tourism in Ecuador: an excursion to Baños

Waterfall in Ecuador

Adventure tourism in Ecuador: an excursion to Baños SOLEQMASTER ADVENTURE TOURISM IN ECUADOR: AN EXCURSION TO BAÑOS Baños de Agua Santa (“The Baths of Holy Water”) is especially known for its hot springs, supposed to have special healing powers. In addition, Baños has become an obligatory destination for adventure tourism with its numerous activities in […]

Cuenca

Cuenca - What to do. Visit the Inca Ruins

cuenca-our WEEKEND TRIP Dominik Read what there is to do on a trip to Cuenca and about my weekend trip. Cuenca is Ecuador’s third largest city. Also it is known for the unique heritage, the churches and the architecture. Herewith comes the Nickname Athens of Ecuador. I wanted to know how the City handles all […]

Ecuadorian Carnival: colorful parades, concerts and carioca

La fiesta de frutas y flores involves a big parade of colorfully decorated floats

Ecuadorian carnival:colorful parades, concerts and carioca Angela As a Dutch girl with a catholic upbringing, I have celebrated carnival since I was young. Since I love the celebrations in the Netherlands, I was excited to experience what Ecuadorian carnival is like. So I planned a four-day trip to Ambato (the ‘Carnival capital’ of Ecuador) and […]

Rainforest in Ecuador – Tena travelogue

Parque Amazónico „La Isla“ in Tena Ecuador Rainforest

Rainforest in ecuador – tena travelogue Maria https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZwiQzmFEv8Have you ever visited the RAINFOREST IN ECUADOR? discover the TENA TRAVEL REPORT with me.Tena is known as a rainforest city. The capital of the province Napo is an ideal starting point to explore the Selva, the tropical rainforest in Ecuador. The journey took me to beautiful places […]

Carnival in Ecuador – How to celebrate in Ambato

colibri of flowers ambato

Carnival in Ecuador: How to celebrate in Ambato SOLEQMASTER There are two cities in Ecuador where carnival is a must: Ambato and Guaranda! The two cities are so to speak the capitals of carnival in Ecuador. But carnival here in Ecuador is not celebrated as you might maybe know it… This blog is about Ambato: […]

Volcán Ilalo: easy day hike close to Quito

A mysterious view with clouds rolling in

Volcán Ilaló: easy day hike close to Quito Angela The city of Quito has a truly unique location. Not only it has an altitude of 2.850 meters and is very close to the equator: the city is also surrounded by 14 volcanoes. This ensures endless possibilities for spectacular hikes, at just a short distance from […]

Galapagos Cruise Travelogue

Galapagos Cruise

Galapagos Cruise Travelogue Dorit Western Galapagos Island Cruise Part II Discover my GALAPAGOS CRUISE TRAVELOGUE: We have already reported on the first days of our Galapagos Cruise. Also the second part of our trip to the western route Galapagos Islands was amazing and full of exciting experiences! Puerto Villamil and tortoise breeding centre In the […]

Wildlife and Activities in the Mashpi Lodge

Bird cloud forest ecuador

Wildlife and Activities in the Mashpi Lodge Ecuador Dorit Hansen How do you get to Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador’s cloud forest? How does Mashpi Lodge contribute to cloud forest protection in Ecuador? And how many waterfalls are there at Mashpi? We answer these questions in the first part of the travel report about Mashpi Lodge. […]

Between Montañita and Puerto López: the southern coast of Ecuador

Los Frailes view on beach

Between Montañita and Puerto López: the southern coast of Ecuador SOLEQMASTER The two small towns of Puerto López and Montañita are about 45 kilometers from one another on the southern coast of Ecuador. The vegetation in this region is similar to that of the Galapagos Islands. On long sandy beaches you can observe crabs, pelicans, […]

Andean bears in the north of Ecuador

Andean bears in the north of Ecuador SOLEQMASTER At 2 pm we started our tour from the office – this time to the north of Ecuador. It will be one of our most diverse excursions! Because from the warm temperatures at Pimampiro in the Valle de Chota at only 1.300 meters the tour led us […]

A trip from Quito to Patate

Patate Trip from Quito

A Trip from Quito to Patate SOLEQMASTER What do you do in Quito when you’re cold? My mother-in-law is quite “friolenta” – that she feels cold is a permanent condition, so to speak! When she once again complained about the cold in Quito, we decided to take her on a trip to the warmth. Only […]

The Mashpi Lodge – paradise in the cloud forest of Ecuador

Mashpi Lodge Ecuador

The Mashpi Lodge – paradise in the cloud forest of Ecuador Dorit Hansen The five-star Mashpi Lodge is located in the middle of the cloud forest of Ecuador. In addition to its luxurious and modern facilities, it offers numerous activities to experience the fascinating nature surrounding the lodge during adventurous explorations. What activities does Mashpi […]

MINDO – WHAT TO DO: BIRDS, NATURE AND ADVENTURES

Mindo

Mindo-WHAT TO DO – birds, nature and adventures DOMINIK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH7Fwj5aBTA Mindo is often associated with the unique cloud forest, the flora fauna and the adventurous activities. It is even called a paradise for bird-watcher, nature and adventures. Soleq.travel set off to Mindo for a weekend and wants to have a look at their own! How […]

Otavalo – What to do

road to otavalo

OTAVALO – WHAT TO DO DOMINIK Otavalo is often associated only with the large market that is held there on Saturdays. I wanted to know if there was anything more to discover there and so I set off. Here I share my experiences with you: How did I get there? Where did I stay? How […]

Cotopaxi National Park with the Soleq Family

entrance Cotopaxi

COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK WITH THE SOLEQ FAMILY DOMINIK The Soleq Family decided to have a one-day trip to the Cotopaxi National park. I just recently joined them as the new Intern. Therefore, I was excited as they asked me to join them on this trip. During my first two weeks in Ecuador I was exploring […]

How Ecuadorian Ceviche is cooked

ceviche contains fish and or seafood

HOW ECUADORIAN CEVICHE IS COOKED SOLEQMASTER Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche is one of the most popular and tasted dishes not only from the coast but from the entire Ecuador. Therefore we want to show you how you can easily do this at home! So you can serve it so friends and family.  To prepare this delicious […]

Traveling with Soleq Travel is good for the environment

A contstant maintanance of Jocotoco´s land is necesary.

TRAVELING WITH SOLEQ.TRAVEL IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT SOLEQMASTER Sustainability has a high value for the SOLEQ family. We participate in certain projects or institutions. The following article talks about some parts of this mission. Read why traveling with SOLEQ.travel is good for the environment! During each voyage with a motorized means of transport, CO2 is […]

A weekend in Baños

I love banos

A WEEKEND IN BAÑOS – The Adventure Capital of the Andes SOLEQMASTER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy-yo9nkPZc&t=13s What do you know about Baños? What do you know about the so called adventure capital of South America? Do you know about the variety of all the sport activities or the nature?  No worries, all the answers will be in this […]

Parks and Squares – The green lungs of Quito

Parks and squares are the green lungs of quito

PARKS AND SQUARES – THE GREEN LUNGS OF QUITO SOLEQMASTER The capital of Ecuador is, with around 2.6 million inhabitants, the second largest city in the country. The traffic is immense, as many people move daily to work, to buy or to sell and back home. Especially in south-north direction – in the morning – […]