At first glance, Riobamba may not be the most attractive city to visit in Ecuador. I’ve got to say, however, that each time we visit I find myself liking it even more and more. On one end, it serves as a great hub for adventure-based tourism in Ecuador, but it also has some gems of […]
Tag: South America

El Altar: The Challenge that Blew My Mind
I am super excited to be able to share this last trip of ours – our trek to the Volcano Crater Lake “El Altar” in Ecuador. This extinct volcano collapsed in the 1400’s and was once known to be the tallest volcano in the world. It now stands at over 5,000m, tucked away in Ecuador’s […]

What’s the Hype with Montañita?
This month we had the delight of taking another motorcycle adventure, this time to Montañita. For those of you who don’t know, Montañita is famous for being a surfer destination and party town. It may just be one of the most internationally diverse cities in Ecuador. You’ve got your locals, North Americans, and Europeans, but […]

Adventure in Baños de Agua Santa
Baños de Agua Santa, mostly commonly referred to as Baños, is one of the most visited destinations for tourists and Ecuadorians alike. Its popularity is well-deserved for the amount of adventure activities concentrated within the region (heck I’ve already been there four times!). Situated on the border between the Andes mountains and the jungle, the […]
A Perfect Day in Cuenca: Where to Go & What to See and Do Like A Local
Whether you’re a tourist or a resident, a perfect day in Cuenca totally exists. After living here one year, I still relish in the beauty of the city and take the chance to play tourist from time to time. Each day I fall more and more in love with this beautiful city of Cuenca, Ecuador. […]

What Not-to-Miss in Ecuador (On a Budget)
Ecuador is called “El pais de 4 mundos” (The Country of 4 Worlds) for good reason. In just one day you can pass through the Oriente (Amazon), Sierra (Andes), and the coast! Ecuador is such a beautiful country and has SO MUCH to offer for a traveler on a budget. If you are backpacking, you […]
The Best Day Trips from Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca has so much to offer in its centro historico, but if you are a resident or a traveler with some extra days, you should consider venturing out of town! Whether you’re looking to hike or visit artisan towns, check out these recommendations below! I have personally traveled to all of these spots (mostly by […]
How to do Cajas National Park
Cajas National Park is a MUST if you are traveling Cuenca or the southern provinces of Ecuador. For me Cajas is a mystical land full of geological mystery. Every time I arrive to Cajas I feel like I’m in a land that could be Narnia. Really, you won’t see anything else like it anywhere. Between […]
Why do Ecuadorians drink instant coffee?
If you walk into a Cuencana grandmother’s kitchen, you’ll likely be presented with one of two options: instant coffee or cafe pasado. Cafe pasado is coffee prepared using the region’s traditional technique: a long coffee sock used to pass water through coffee grounds. This concentrated coffee can be saved for days and prepared with hot water […]
Photos That Will Put Ecuador at the Top of your Travel Wishlist
Cajas National Park Cajas National Park lies outside of the city of Cuenca. Spend one day hiking or a whole week. The park is HUGE and offers hundreds of lakes. Volcan Cotopaxi View of the Cotopaxi Volcano from a hobbit home (Hostal Secret Garden) Pailon de Diablo The fearless stairs facing the huge waterfall in […]