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If I have to describe my home country in one word, that would be magical! Although Ecuador is a small country in South America, it’s packed with a big dose of biological and geographical diversity. From pink dolphins to giant turtles, from pre-Hispanic ruins to gorgeous colonial towns, there is so much to see and discover in Ecuador!
Did you know that Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world? Sharing the beauty of Ecuador to my children has been a great resource to help them feel connected to their Ecuadorian heritage. It is also another way for them to learn about the things that bring me a wonderful nostalgia and a physical link to my childhood. Below I share 6 of the magical places that I recommend to visit with kids in Ecuador.
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6 Magical Places to Visit With Kids in Ecuador
Mount Chimborazo
Mount Chimborazo is the first thing that you might see through your window when your plane begins descent for landing in Ecuador. This inactive volcano is part of the Cordillera Occidental range of the Andes and if you measure from the center of the Earth, this is the world’s highest peak! If you are a serious hiker, Mount Chimborazo offers a great hiking experience, but if you aren’t, you should still visit this majestic place for the breathtaking views and gorgeous landscapes.
Galapagos Islands
Visiting these group of islands is truly a wild experience! The Galapagos Islands are known as the “Enchanted Islands” because of their amazing biodiversity. They inspired Charles Darwin’s book The Origin of Species after his visit in 1835. Take a walk by the shore and you will see some of the rarest species on Earth including many beautiful animals that are only found there. The gigantic turtles and the blue footed bird are my children’s favorite animals to see.
Equator Line
Ecuador is crossed by the equator (from which the country takes its name), the imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern hemisphere and Southern hemisphere. The Equator monument complex is a fun place to visit with children, it offers museums, a planetarium, shops, restaurants and cultural events. However, you have to know that the exact location of the equator is a few miles north of this complex.
Credit: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest on Earth and covers 40% of South America. The sight of the vast forest, the smell of the delicious flowers, the unfamiliar sounds of an array of animals, all of that, steals your heart and challenges you to be a new person. It is a place every kid must see! Read more about my experience visiting the Amazon rainforest here.
Pre-Hispanic Ruins
Ecuador was home to Amerindian groups before the arrival of the Incas so pre-Hispanic archaeological sites are found all over the country. It is a great experience to take the kids to these sites and learned about fascinating facts about these groups of people. The ruins of Ingapirca is my family’s favorite pre-Hispanic site in Ecuador where kids can explore freely and safely.
Cocoa Plantations
Did you know that Ecuador is home of some of the best cocoa in the world? My children love exploring plantations so we visit them often when we are in the country. I especially like to take them to see cocoa plantations where they usually have the opportunity to harvest the beans. Banana plantations are also also another favorite of them!
If you are interested to learn more about Ecuador, I recommend to read the books below. They contain great facts and beautiful photography that will make you want to book a trip to my beautiful home country as soon as possible!
Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
The Amazon Rainforest: Animal Facts & Photos
Galapagos: Islands Born Of Fire
For more great books don’t miss our Pinterest board on Multicultural Children’s Books!
This post is part of our series Global Learning for Kids. Each month we will feature a country and host a link party to collect posts about teaching kids about that country–crafts, books, lessons, recipes, etc. It will create a one-stop place full of information about the country.
This month we are learning all about Ecuador, so link up below any old or new posts designed to teach kids about Ecuador – crafts, books, lessons, recipes, music and more!
This post is also part of our fifth annual Hispanic Heritage Month series and giveaway! Through the month (September 15 – October 15), you’ll find great resources on the series main page to share Hispanic Heritage with kids, plus you can enter to win in our great giveaway and link up your own posts on Hispanic Heritage!
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Beautiful post! This is a dream trip for any family and I love the places and activities that you’ve highlighted here!