Ecuador is a South American country. It has a Pacific coastline, and it extends over both sides of the equator. Ecuador is known as the home of the Incas with cultural influences of Spanish colonialism and pre-Columbian traditions. It is a place to visit if you are looking for rich culture and tradition and lots of nature.

1.) Ecuador Amazon Jungle

The Ecuador Amazon offers different water sports such as swimming, canoeing, white water rafting, and kayaking. You can join rainforest walks to visit jungle communities and bask in the wide varieties of fauna and wildlife. This is a true nature exposure.

2.) Galapagos Islands

The name of the island means tortoise in Spanish. It is an island that houses a fascinating collection of colorful aquatic, plants, and animal including reptilian species which differ from island to island. This is a place where you will appreciate the beauty of nature.

3.) Avenue of Volcanoes

It is a 325 km long valley that stretches between Cordillera ranges. The snow-capped volcanoes provide an enthralling structure against the lush greenery of the valley. Mountaineers can have the opportunity to climb to a very high altitude without much difficulty.

4.) Cuenca

It is the third largest city in Ecuador. If you are into old churches, there are two cathedrals in Cuenca. The New Cathedral which was built in 1800s features a series of sky-blue cupolas, and the old cathedral known as El Sagragrio built in 1500s.

5.) Quito

Quito is the capital of Ecuador and is the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is divided into three parts - the Old City in the center and the Northern and Southern district on either side. The Old City has no less than 40 churches and convents, 17 squares and 16 convents and monasteries, and the Northern district houses the international airport as well as museums, urban parks, restaurants, and nightlife while the Southern district houses the working class. Quito is a place for culture fanatics.

6.) Baños

Baños is in a small city in the Andean highlands. Here, you will find an active volcano named Tungurahua that have small eruptions of lava and ash. As the name implied, there are a lot of hot spring baths that are popular to both the natives and the tourist alike, so hotels and restaurants line the city to accommodate tourists' needs.

7.) Esmeraldas

For those who love the beach, Esmeraldas is where the most popular beaches in Ecuador are. It is a coastal city where tourists come to enjoy the warm topical weather. There are hotels and bar and restaurants for the tourist to enjoy.

8.) Cotopaxi National Park

This national park is located near Latacunga, a cone-shaped, snow-capped volcano. It has a small museum, and it houses different wildlife specie such as wild horses, deer, llamas, pumas, and Andean condors. It is also a perfect place for bird watching.

9.) Otavalo

It is a small quiet town north of Quito. There is a market in the Poncho Square every Saturday mornings where natives bring out their colorful and interesting wares and goods to sell. They sell everything from belts, hats, blankets, and different trinkets all created with the skills of their hands.

10.) Archeological Sites

If you are interested in archeology, Ecuador has a rich resource of archeological sites, and there are several ruins in Ecuador left by the Incas or other Amerindians, and the main site is Ingapirca. Others are Rumicucho, near Quito; La Tolita, near Esmeraldas; and Tomebamba in Cuenca. Then there are Real Alto, San Isidro and Santa Elena where the ancient Valdivia vulture left remains. Santa Elena is noted as the world's oldest known cemetery.

Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos Visit http://www.destinationguide.tv/ecuador to view or share Ecuador travel videos