Friday December 06, 2019 - Posted by SSLA Team

Four incredible spots in Ecuador near Quito — Most people think about Ecuador as a small country you rush through when travelling in Latin America because they want to go to Colombia or Peru. However, Ecuador is one of the most incredible countries in South America, a great destination for a Spanish course too.

Ecuador has it all! It has a beautiful pacific coast in the west, the Andes Mountains in the middle and the Amazon jungle in the south. And on top of that, there is that great island feeling of the Galapagos, the archipelago of 16 islands that inspired Darwin’s evolution theory.

If you don’t have time to visit all of Ecuador after your Spanish course has finalised, visit at least the following Four incredible spots in Ecuador near Quito! You can do those trips during the weekends, while attending our Spanish school in Quito.

Four incredible spots in Ecuador near Quito

1 – Quilotoa Loop: amazing scenery

The Quilotoa Loop is a self-guided multi-day hike in the Andes mountains in Ecuador. It is a ring-shaped trail which connects remote villages in the Cotopaxi region. The Quilotoa Loop is a very popular hike that visits the breathtaking lake in the middle of a crater!

The Quilotoa lake is located close to Quito and is also accessible by public transport. However, we recommend doing the three-day hike up to the lake. Why? Because this hike takes you through the authentic and beautiful countryside of Ecuador, crossing local farms and cute villages, small rivers, and green fields.

You will sleep for two nights in two different villages with friendly Ecuadorians and not many backpackers. The hike is challenging, but it is worth every step of it, as the views are amazing! On the final day, you will reach the highest point, where Quilotoa Lake is located and where you will be able to bask in the satisfaction of conquering a difficult hike.

2 – Baños: the capital of Adrenaline

The small town of Baños is also nicknamed “the capital of adrenaline” because of all the adventure sports and activities you can do here. Baños is located right next to a wild river, at the foot of a volcano and in between beautiful green mountains. Because of this ideal location, you can choose to hike up the volcano or do white water rafting, zip-lining, bungee jumping and rock climbing.

Apart from these activities, you can take a nice ride on a bicycle across the river and admire the beautiful waterfalls. If you get tired of all the adventure activities, you can go for a night out in the centre of Baños and explore the fun bars and restaurants.

3 – Cotopaxi volcano: Instagram proof

The Cotopaxi volcano is picture perfect and Instagram proof! It has the typical volcanic shape and is topped off with a thick layer of snow. Cotopaxi is surrounded by an amazing landscape of green fields, along with cows and other gorgeous volcanos. Cotopaxi is the biggest one, with a height of 8597 meters. Although it is quite large, it is possible to climb this volcano!

Furthermore, there are plenty of fun activities to do around the Cotopaxi area: riding bicycles on the foot, fishing trout in a trout farm or hiking to other summits. If you want to enjoy Cotopaxi for a few more days, we suggest that you book a spot in the Secret Garden hostel. This peaceful place is filled with backpackers and is located at the perfect spot to have a 180-degree view of the volcano.

4 – Otavalo: sweaters, fruits, vegetables & chicken

If you want to find a place where you can buy amazing souvenirs, check out the market of Otavalo! This market is spread out over various streets of the whole city centre! This is a great place to buy t-shirts and alpaca/llama sweaters for a super low price. It´s also perfect for trying the street food at one of the many little stands where they sell fresh dishes and steamy hot soups.
Apart from a market for artisanal products and traditional clothing, you will also find a big indoor food market with typical Ecuadorian fruits and vegetables. If you do not want to buy anything, you should still go here for the great ambience, variety of people, and all the different smells on every corner.

Checking out your options for studying Spanish in Ecuador? We currently offer three Spanish Schools you can choose from, or, combine!! Quito Galapagos Montañita

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