This is Ecuador Travel Guide Galapagos Islands Andes Amazon Pacific Coast

The Inti Raymi, party of the sun and harvest, starts on June 21st, during the summer solstice, and is one of the most important ancestral traditions of the indigenous communities of the Andes.

Beach season is officially open! Ecuador boasts sunny beaches with warm water and multiple activities to enjoy: surfing, paragliding, snorkeling, diving, or simply relaxing and taking in the Equatorial sun. Ecuador’s amazing nature is in store to be enjoyed at every corner. Take advantage of this season to explore exuberant coastal ecosystems: mangroves, dry forests, tropical forests… all close to wonderful beaches and fine services. Also acquaint yourself with some of the oldest cultures of America that settled on the Ecuadorian Coast.

Illustration inspired on endemic marine iguanas of the Galapagos Islands in an extraordinary phase. This species changes color from black to green and red during the reproductive period to attract their mates, and astounds visitors with uniqueness and beauty.

Illustration of Ecuadorian Roses. Ecuador is regarded as the producer of the world’s finest roses. Approximately one fourth of Ecuador’s rose exports are done for Valentines Day, celebrated this month of February. Some flower plantations have opened their doors to visitors, allowing for them to discover stunning plantations and their beautiful Andean surroundings.

Illustration inspired in the elaborate and colorful traditional dress of the cholas cuencanas - women of mixed Spanish and Indigenous ancestry who live in the picturesque Andean city of Cuenca in southern Ecuador. The illustration on top is a piece of a typical macana (shawl) and underneath is the edge of a pollera (skirt). Macanas are made using a bound-warp-resist technique and are then dyed; this dying method is known as ikat, which means ‘to bind’.

CHRISTMAS IN ECUADOR
Christmas is celebrated in Ecuador with much devotion to the Holy Family. Nativity scenes can be found in most homes and the nine nights before Christmas families and friends gather to pray the “novenas” in preparation for Jesus’ birth. Traditional parades with live characters representing the Holy Family are organized in several locations of the country; they are called “Pase del Niño”. The most renowned “Pase del Niño” parades through the old town of the city of Cuenca on December 24th.
This month’s cover Illustration inspired in marzipan figurines elaborated with Christmas motifs in Calderon, a rural parish of Quito city.

The cultivation of maize is a vital component of the Andes indigenous Cosmo Vision and has become an essential symbol within the religious-cultural festival calendar. From September 4th thru 13th, the “Yamor” Festivities take place in Otavalo. The word "Yamor" refers to a special beverage made from seven varieties of corn. During this festivity, the indigenous peoples thank Mother Earth for the maize harvest.

Illustration inspired in a visit to Puerto El Morro, a fishermen town approximately 60 miles away from Guayaquil. The community at Puerto El Morro has formed an Eco Club and offers a boat tour along an estuary surrounded by lush tropical mangroves, home to a diversity of birds and marine species. Perhaps the highlight of a visit to Puerto El Morro is the year- round possibility of encountering wild dolphins swimming and jumping around the tourist boats: a natural marine park.

Illustration inspired in the natural riches of the Galapagos Islands, which now lead the ranking of the New7Wonders of Nature nominees. Although this is an honour and a great promotion for the archipelago, this nomination means a stronger commitment of the Ecuadorian authorities with the international community and the environment for the conservation of the fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos Archipelago, also a National Park and a World Natural Heritage Site. For more information about the New7Wonders of Nature and to vote for Galapagos, visit www.new7wonders.com

Illustration representing the Independence Monument in Quito’s main plaza lit up with fireworks celebrating the first rising up against the Spanish colonial masters. This year, Ecuador celebrates 200 years since this fateful episode, thus a number of exhibits and cultural events are taking place! Liberty Eve will be celebrated on August 9th throughout the country with a cultural feast: music, dance, opera, art and literature. August 10th is a national holiday.

Illustration of a “ceibo” tree (Ceibo trichistandra). This species is endemic to the Tumbesina region of Ecuador and Peru. The fruit is used for wool for the elaboration of mattresses and pillows. Normally the tree loses its leafs to resist the dry season from May to December, and is green the rest of the year. Imposing ceibo trees can be admired throughout the Ruta del Sol. A world- class lodging option was recently opened in Bahía de Caráquez, Manabí Province, named “Casa Ceibo”, with a ceibo tree at the main entrance.

Illustration inspired in the colorful attire used by the dancers in Jacchigua Folkloric Ballet. Rafael Camino, founder and director of this folkloric dance group, was declared “Live Cultural Heritage of Ecuador” for his contribution to the recovery, maintenance, appraisal and diffusion of Ecuador’s ancestral heritage expressed through dance.

The beaks of the finches of the Galapagos Archipelago that inspired the theory of evolution by natural selection are the motif of the illustration of this month’s cover by the artist Carolina Vallejo. This terrestrial bird species studied by Charles Darwin remain as icons of evolution and even bear his name: the Darwin Finches. This year Ecuador celebrates Darwin’s Bicentenary and 50 years of the creation of the Galapagos National Park.

Illustration of the “cucuruchos” and palm bunches of Holy Week Celebrations. The “cucuruchos” are typical characters of the Holy Week processions brought from Spain and adapted to each of the different cultures in the country. Cucuruchos wear high conical purple hoods, the size of which depends on the amount of sins. On Palm Sunday, the devotees make elaborate bunches of palm leaves for the blessings. Holy Week in Quito is one of the most impressive celebrations of this most important time in the Catholic calendar.

Illustration of “guaguas de pan”, a typical food of All Souls Day, which is basically bread baked in the shaped of child figurines decorated with pastry frosting. “Guagua” is the Quichua word for “child”. Guaguas de pan are always accompanied by “colada morada”, a drink of a variety of berries with other exotic fruits and spices that give this beverage its purplish color. “Guagas de pan” and “colada morada” are served in almost every home of the Ecuadorian highlands during this time of the year… as well as in most restaurants.

Illustration inspired in Filigree Jewelry, which is elaborated in the area surrounding Chordeleg, in the Southern Andes of Ecuador

The illustration of this month’s cover, an original by the artist Carolina Vallejo, is a representation of Ecuador’s natural diversity: beaches, snow capped mountains and tropical forests, all within short distances and enjoyable throughout the year. The bright colors reflect this land full of contrasts.

Illustration of a green iguana (Iguana iguana). These eye-catching creatures have the capacity of adapting with no difficulty to several environments: in fact, they can be found roaming freely in several sites of the city of Guayaquil, especially at Simon Bolivar or Seminario Park, which is best known as “Parque de las Iguanas”. This cover is dedicated to the city of Guayaquil, which on October 9th celebrates its independence from Spain that took place in the year 1820.

Illustration inspired in rug designs with patterns based on traditional Ecuadorian motifs. The skilled Guano weavers (Guano is a small city in the Chimborazo province- Central Andes) have made high-quality rugs with such designs, which have made their way to places such as the United Nations in New York and the MOMA. Because most of the rugs are based on Ecuadorian archeology, colonial art and popular art, they promote Ecuadorian culture as they travel throughout the world.

Illustration inspired in parrots of the Amazon. An amazing sight of hundreds of parrots is possible at clay licks. Why? Certain minerals in the clay are able to neutralize the toxins in the nuts of a variety of trees which can be harmful for the birds and other animals of tropical forests. Thus, animals seek out deposits of this very special clay. Once a deposit is identified, parrots and macaws will come many miles to eat the clay

Illustration of a colorful shigra handbag. These hand-woven bags originated as a practical article created by women and for women in the Central Andean provinces of Cotopaxi, Tunguragua and Chimborazo. Until recent years, women used these bags to carry seeds and plants. In fact, some authors believe that the different size shigras were used as a unit of measurement. Originally, the shigra was adorned with human and also some animal forms, but today the women have become more lenient towards abstract design.

The availability of llamas, alpacas, cotton and other natural fibers gave way to the development of textiles in the Andes. Some elaborate fabrics were considered so precious, that they were used to trade goods, and even offered as sacrifices to the sun god Inti! The Andean tradition of transforming fiber into art is ever present in the indigenous markets all along the Ecuadorian highlands.

Illustration of tupus, metal pins used to ornament and fasten together shawls of indigenous women in Andean culture. Despite the fact that indigenous dress in Ecuador has changed and evolved over the centuries, tupus have been an essential part of women's garments for over a thousand years.

Illustration of a Sally lightfoot Crab - Zayapa (Graspus graspus). These colorful crabs, also known as 'Red Rock Crabs', are abundant on the Galapagos, and live amongst the rocks at the often turbulent, windy shores, just above the limit of the seaspray. The young are black and well-camoflaged against the volcanic rocks. The adults are bright red. These crabs primarily eat attached algae such as red algal turf and Ulva. They are skittish and run away as you get close to them. In this respect, they are very different from most of the other animals in the Galapagos.

Illustration inspired in designs found on Amazonian ceramic bowls. Women from the Quichua culture elaborate these pottery pieces, known as mucahuas. The designs are painted with a brush made from the same women's hair. The exuberant wildlife of the Amazonia and the complex Cosmo vision of its people are reflected in these pieces of art, in which the practical and symbolic intertwine as the material and spiritual worlds do for the Quichuas.

Illustration inspired in a Tigua painting. The Tigua village is found in the region with the same name, close to Zumbahua in the Cotopaxi Province (Southern Andes). Tigua art is extremely colorful and traditionally rather flat. This is why it is called naïf art. The themes depicted recreate traditional life, with bucolic scenery, quaint adobe houses, sheep, llamas, and snow-caped mountains.

Colorful and folkloric marzipan figurines are elaborated in Calderón, a dry village North of Quito. Originally most traditional shapes were bread children, little horses or llamas. But now artisans have branched out to more creative design: nativity scenes, picture frames, dolls, napkin holders, Christmas tree decoration, etc. These marzipan figurines used to be part of the All Souls Day tradition.

Perhaps the most interesting, because of their symbolism and popularity, are the Año Viejo and the Corpus Christi masks.

Illustration inspired by symbols of the Secoya indigenous culture of the Amazonian region. According to the Amazonian cultures' Cosmo vision, red and black are the basic colors of life. Red symbolizes strength, power, luck, fertility and terrestrial life; while black represents mystic life and the hidden forces of the rainforest. More information »

Illustration inspired on the cloud forests that dress the steep slopes of the Andes with their generous vegetation. These forests are correctly termed pre-montane/ subtropical rain forests, and are one of the richest ecosystems of the world.

Did you know that three out of each ten bananas in the world are produced in Ecuador? Ecuadorian bananas are found worldwide under the following brands: Bonita, Dole, Chiquita, Favorita, Del Monte, Goldfinger, among others. The country's favorable climate and luminosity all throughout the year, added to highly fertile soils, allows for a rich high-quality banana production. For more information about bananas and other tropical plantations, our section Haciendas in the Coastal region

Illustration inspired in one of the most traditional neighborhoods in colonial Quito: La Ronda Street. This short two - block street was recently restored, bringing back its long artistic and bohemian tradition. A variety of cultural activities are organized both on the street and inside the different bars and cafeterias.

During this month of May, the green marine turtles (Chelonia midas) are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant and Puerto Egas (Galapagos). These herbivorous sea turtles are listed as an endangered species by the IUCN.

On the past month of April, UNESCO delegates visited the Galapagos Islands and confirmed serious threats to the conservation of this unique archipelago, and welcomed ambitious measures announced by the Ecuadorian government to preserve this site on the UNESCO's World Heritage List

Illustration inspired in the various colorful handcrafts that are produced in the country. This month we have introduced a new section in our magazine, which aims to share with our readers the richness of Ecuadorian products, which together with the skillful hands of its inhabitants, result in amazing handcrafts. Enjoy our first article, prepared by Folklore Olga Fisch: Tagua: Carving an Alternative Future.

In Ecuador, especially in Quito and Ambato, artisans have been passing the skill of candle- making from generation to generation since the end of the XIX Century. These colorful cirios (candles) handmade in the country are especially used for religious ceremonies and processions. Given that Holy Week represents the most important time for Catholics, this time of the year is an opportunity for visitors to witness first-hand the extent of the Ecuadorians' faith and the many traditions that are practiced throughout the country.

A fascinating vision of the Ecuadorian Handicrafts is exposed at the new Ethno historic Museum of Handicrafts in Quito. This interesting museum has been recently inaugurated. It offers the North Andean and Amazonic Cosmo vision through the interpretation of the work that these cultures have done on the past and now a days. These cultures are still living in the territory that today is Ecuador.

We dedicate this cover to the Amazon region. On February 12th, 1542, Francisco de Orellana and his crew flowed into a river of enormous proportions later to be called Amazonas, after a navigation that started on the Napo River, Ecuador. The expedition's initial goal was that of reaching El Dorado and the Canela Country, which were rumored to be located East of Quito.

The Polylepis forest that belongs to El Angel Ecological Reserve is the only millenarian Polylepis tree forest in the world. This tree, also known as paper tree, is famous for its fine bark that is constantly being shed. Up in the paramo lays a small valley of glacial origin that covers 12 hectares of this marvelous forest.

The Ecuadorian Rainforest is a unique ecosystem: a paradise for nature lovers and scientists. Take an adventure into this area of exuberant vegetation and visit the San Rafael Waterfalls as well.

Ecuador is developing specialized tourism. Use This is Ecuador to take a quick but magnificent trip through Ecuador.

The Spring Equinox takes place on March 21 so during the entire month the Indigenous Communities from the province of Imbabura celebrate the Pawkar Raymi, festivities to honor the germination of the seeds, thanking the Pacha Mama (mother earth) for allowing their crops to grow. Dances, parades, traditional rituals, and even sport events are part of this celebration.

The VII edition of BITE (Bolsa de Turismo del Ecuador) will take place in Cuenca on the 19, 20, and 21 of April. For this reason THIS IS ECUADOR dedicates its cover to this charming city that with its unique republican architecture, location surrounded by rivers, outstanding handicrafts, and diverse cultural offer, is a jewel in the Andean valley.

Ecuador is a rich country in avifauna with 17% of the species of the birds in the world. Ideal for birdwatchers. In this month’s edition we highlight how this resource is developing a specialized tourism. Loja Province, located in the southern sierra, takes special care of it’s reserves such as the Tapicha laca where the Jocotoco Antpitta was discovered in 1997.

The Galapagos Islands were incorporated as Ecuadorian Territory on February 12, 1832. To honor this unique natural resource, and extraordinary tourist destination. "This is Ecuador" presents an article on Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the tourist capitan of the Archipelago. Our designer dedicates this month's cover to the grandeur of Galapagos on land as in the sea.