Marimba dance, Esmeraldas.

Ecuadorians are honest, warm and service-oriented people who truly enjoy welcoming foreign visitors to their country. Their friendly nature makes travelers feel safe and well looked after, as they are treated like guests rather than tourists. Ecuadorians are proud of their culture, passionate about conserving their way of life and keen to sharing their traditions and rituals with foreigners.

Very close to lakes and lagoons, old colonial haciendas conserve the atmosphere of the past and allow visitors to delight in discovering the country’s mestizo roots. Visitors enjoy the aroma of the flowers and delight in the aromas and flavors of cocoa, coffee, banana, and sugarcane in the modern plantations.

Fiesta de la Mama Negra (Mama Negra cultural parade)
in Latacunga.” Latacunga.

Some indigenous communities in the Andes, and along the Pacific coast, invite visitors into their homes to share their customs and beliefs. In the Amazon region, there are as many as 40 ecotourism projects, lead by local groups, designed to provide travelers a unique and educational experience in the Amazon. Perhaps most rewarding for a visitor is the opportunity to be a participant, rather than just an observer.