Ecuador

For a country the size slightly smaller than the state of Nevada, Ecuador has it all: beautiful coastline, Amazon jungle, historic colonial cities of Cuenca and Quito both designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Cotopaxi, highest active volcano on Earth in the snow-capped Andes range; and of course the Galapagos Islands, one of the last places on earth with rich and abundant marine wildlife.

Originally known as The Republic of the Equator, Ecuador is a definite destination for nature lovers with its rich fauna and flora of the jungle and high grasslands. It is also a great destinations for adventure travel, trekking in the Andes, mountain biking, horseback riding and surfing.

With its varied landscapes, Ecuador is a year-round destination with optimal visiting times per region. Together with its proximity to the US it makes an ideal vacation destination even with a limited time constraints.