Marcela & Ben
Things To Do In Ecuador!
Parque Seminario - Park of the Iguanas
A great place to visit in Guayaquil - where you can buy a bag of mango slices and feed the many, many green iguanas that call the park home. Marcela was bitten once - so be sure to throw the mango slices down, don't try to get an iguana to eat out of your hand!
casacay
Beat the heat by dropping into the pools of the Rio Jubones, near Marcela's grandparent's cacao farm. (Ask Marcela for the best way to get there) We will be hosting one of our main events here!
Jambeli
It's an island where locals go to get their beach on! You can rent overnight cabins at places like Las Tortolas and eat delicious seafood while enjoying a beautiful island. You get there from the Puerto de embarque a Jambelí en Puerto Bolivar. On the way into the island you get to go through mangroves.
Puerto Bolívar
see food galore
Centro de Servicios La Ruta Del Sol
La Ruta Del Sol is great way to spend a couple of days before or after the wedding in Ecuador. Think of this as California Route 1. It takes you down the Ecuadorean coast, through all the towns and cities. Along the way you can stop at many beautiful beaches, eat the very signature dish of each province, and enjoy all the beauty the Ecuadorian coast has to offer.
Salinas
beach
Cuenca
Cuenca is a beautiful mountain city, just a few hours from Pasaje, but around 8,000 feet above sea level. The central part of the city is a UNESCO heritage site, and features beautiful buildings like La Catedral Nueva and artisinal markets - including a lovely flower market! There is bus service to/from Pasaje to Cuenca, and to/from Cuenca and Machala or Guayaquil. Cuenca is also an excellent base camp for day trips to El Cajas National Park and the Inca ruins of Ingapirca.
Plaza de las Flores
As you are walking around downtown Cuenca and need a place to sit down and take a rest there is no better way to do that than here surrounded by flowers in this beautiful plaza
Mercado de Artesanias Rotary
This is one of my favorite places in Cuenca. Come ready to spend a morning or afternoon wandering along the stalls filled with artesanias of many kinds. The little restaurants and carts nearby will keep you fueled!
Parque Nacional Cajas
Stunning views! Picturesque lakes! Llamas ready to spit at you! This national park has all of those things and more. If you are visiting Cuenca it is well worth a day trip. More adventurous people may want to try a long hike - but be sure to acclimatize - the road summit is around 13,000 feet!
Ingapirca
The largest Inca ruins in Ecuador, just a short bus ride from Cuenca.
Los Frailes Beach
https://www.alongdustyroads.com/posts/2015/6/12/the-ultimate-guide-to-ecuadors-beaches-playa-los-frailes A beautiful beach to visit. But read all about it before you go. the surrounding beaches might be a better bet if you don't fancy a hike.
RESTAURANTE PICANTERIA PIGUARI
good local spot for breakfast and lunch.
La Olla Criolla
more local restaurants!
Asados De Mandi
get arroz con menestra y carne azada. you are welcome
El Nuevo Eden
best seafood in Puerto Bolivar. get the arroz marinero o ceviche mixto
7 Cascadas
7 waterfalls. really pretty
Petrified Forest Museum Puyango
https://www.ecuador.com/attractions/protected-areas/puyango-petrified-forest/ "The Puyango Petrified Forest, or the El Bosque Petrificado de Puyango, is a very unusual reserve. It is home to the largest known area of exposed petrified wood, of which a lot comes from the Araucarias family - a tree that is not often fossilized. Forests like this are not easy to come by, as trees that are dying will normally just decompose. However, here we have an excellent example of fossilized trees and marine fossils due to the dry nature of the ecosystem. The marine fossils that you will find in the forest occur because of the area having once been completely under water. The area is estimated to be about 500 million years old."
Las Peñas Lighthouse
This lighthouse sits at the top of the Diego Noboa steps - 444 stairs that lead through the historic Las Peñas neighborhood, leading past cafes, restaurants, and galleries to the amazing views the lighthouse offers at the top.