Our Blog
52 Places To Go in Quito, Ecuador
In honor of Quito making the New York Times list, 52 Places To Go In 2024, I am sharing my favorite 52 places in and around Ecuador's capital city. The furthest points are about 2 hours from North Quito, an easy and pleasant day trip, especially when combined with...
The Bizarre Umbrellabird
When we arrived at the Umbrellabird Lodge on the Jocotoco Foundation's Buenaventura Reserve, we were ready to do some birdwatching. Little did we know that our hunt for new birds (at least new to us) would lead to such a strange and bizarre creature, the Long-Wattled...
Best Place for Religious Art in Colonial Quito
On December 6, 1535, one year after the founding of the colonial city then called San Francisco de Quito, three Franciscan Friars arrived to establish a foothold in the new city. Almost 500 years later, the modern-day San Francisco Church and Monastery is home to an...
A New UNESCO Global Geopark: Imbabura, Ecuador
On April 17, 2019, UNESCO announced 11 sites and extensions to the Global Geopark family. In our book, the most important is the addition of Imbabura, Ecuador! The Imbabura Province in the northern Ecuadorian Andes is home to stunning high mountain lakes, jagged...
Updated Ecuador Travel Advisory from the US Department of State
The US Department of State issued a new travel advisory for Ecuador earlier this month. In my opinion, this sudden change comes without justification. Furthermore, this advisory calls attention to two locations where Embassy employees are permitted to vacation within...
The Iglesia San Francisco in Historic Quito
On December 6, 1535, one year after the founding of the colonial city then called San Francisco de Quito, three Franciscan Friars arrived to establish a foothold in the new city. Almost 500 years later, the modern day San Francisco Church and Monastery is home to an...
Experience the Dry Forests of the Jorupe Reserve
If you are looking to explore a unique habitat in the wilds of Ecuador, look no further than the Jorupe Reserve. Located a short distance from the Peruvian border near the Ecuadorian town of Macará, the Jorupe Reserve protects animals and plants that can only be found...
Lessons Learned After Six Months On the Road
After almost six months of travel, we are headed back to the United States. Our trip isn't exactly finished. We are still in the process of moving from Washington DC to Portland, Oregon. The plan is to drive from Baltimore to Portland in the next few of weeks. We are...
Quito’s Historic San Francisco Plaza
One of the most iconic destinations in Quito's historic center is the Plaza San Francisco. With its dramatic backdrop of the colonial, whitewashed San Francisco Church against the dark green Pichincha Volcano, it is probably one of the most photographed plazas in the...
6 Reasons to Visit The Tapichalaca Reserve
With its high mountain lodge nestled into the foggy cloud forests of the south, the Tapichalaca Reserve is one of the best kept secrets of the Ecuadorian Andes. Home to the endangered Jocotoco Antpitta, the stunning Flame-throated Sunangel hummingbird, and the...