The 2.5 hour drive from Quito to Mindo, Ecuador follows a long and windy road with very few places to pull off and stop. However, one small pullout provides more than a bathroom break. El Pahuma is an orchid reserve near Quito and lies in the heart of the UNESCO...
Applying for your tourist visa extension in Ecuador need not be complicated. Since we went through this process in 2019, the Ecuadorian government has updated a lot, including adding an online system for those who can read Spanish. That means you have a choice in how...
Have you ever wondered which face mask provides the best protection for international travel? You are not alone. As a person who is immunocompromised, I am afraid of flying during the Covid-19 pandemic. A few weeks ago, I took the plunge and flew across the country...
Local festivals in Ecuador are the heart and soul of many communities. They are found in the highest Andean towns and the smallest jungle enclaves, in tiny fishing villages and large cities like Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil. Many are well advertised and openly invite...
Refugio Paz de las Aves is a small, privately-owned birding reserve in the heart of the Choco-Andino Biosphere in Northeastern Ecuador, home to an amazing variety of wildlife, including birds like the Giant Antpitta and the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. However, unless...
UPDATED July 1, 2022 We have great news! An agreement has been found between government officials and CONAIE, bringing an end to the nationwide strike and work stoppage. Roadblocks have been removed, traffic is flowing, and goods are once again arriving in...
One of the positives coming out of the current campaign to save Refugio Paz de Las Aves is an interest in identifying endangered species that live on the 49-hectare property, especially within the primary forest. When one of our donors reached out to ask which species...
Last year, while taking a course in Transformational Travel Design, I learned about the acronym HEART. Maybe it's the military brat in me, but I have a secret love for well-designed acronyms. This one reinforces the tools that I know are essential to a memorable trip,...
While Quito, Ecuador is not well-known for its great Inca ruins, the city and surrounding area are dotted with archeology sites well worth a visit, especially for those of us who enjoy ancient history. Each museum listed in this article has something to teach us about...
I have discovered a love for high altitude travel that makes my poor altitude-hating husband want to cry. Something has changed since my horrendous five-steps-at-a-time hike over Dead Woman's Pass on the Inca Trail left me nauseous, stumbling with lassitude, and...
