coast

Peru is considered one of the most- biodiverse countries in the world with some unbeatable records such as number one in diversity of butterflies and number two on birds species. If you are a nature lover, Peru offers not only lively culture but unique experiences in diverse ecosytems.

Top nature destinations:

1. Macaws at the Tambopata National Reserve
It might be because I used to work as a guide here or because I love forests but I am in love with these trees, river and birds. READ MORE

Carved by the rivers and estuaries, which find their outlet to the sea in this warm and humid expanse of urbanity, Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, offers visitors a blend of nature, history, and tradition. Here are eight great places to check out as you stroll around the city: READ MORE

There is only one thing Ecuadorians have on their mind in the month of August–the beach. This is the month when the people of the sierra (highlands) head for the coast. And it is undoubtedly Ecuador’s most under-appreciated destination by international tourists. Everyone comes for the Galapagos and the jungle while skipping one third of the country’s richest tourism destinations.

Take a brief tour down the coast of Ecuador from North to South…

Northern Coast: Esmeraldas Province

We begin in the Province of Esmeraldas. First stop, Tonsupa, a beach where high rise condos dot the beaches. Next, Atacames, one of the region’s party beaches, fun for some, but not recommended if all you want is to hear the ocean surf. For a relaxing stay, try Puerto Ballesta Hotel.

Further South are the towns of Súa and Same, home to the exclusive Casa Blanca resort and community where many privately owned condos are rented for short stays.

From here, drive down the E-15 highway, a more primitive version of California’s Pacific Coast, and the road turns inland near Tonchigue. Your next stop is Mompiche, a fishing village awakening to the attention of more and more tourists. It caught the surfer’s attention in the 1990s and is now home to the Royal Decameron Mompiche Beach Resort, a 2,000 room hotel and spa on the beach and a village unto itself.

Photo courtesy of Casa Ceibo Hotel

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Few people outside of Ecuador realize how popular the coastal region is, not just for nationals who like to escape to the beach – particularly those who live in the Andes – but another entire population invades the coastal waters from June to September—whales!  They come from Chile, Argentina, and even points further south.

Photo: Cristina Castro

Humpback whales make their way to equatorial waters during the summer to mate and give birth in warmer waters, offering tourists a rare chance to see one of nature’s greatest mammals in her natural environment.

It is estimated that about 7,000 whales come from southern Chile to the tropics each year. Over the years, expert whale watchers have identified about 2,000 unique whales in Ecuadorian waters, based on their unique tail markings, which essentially amount to a fingerprint. READ MORE