Ecuador

Ecuador is a compact country sandwiched between Colombia and Peru and holds the position of straddling the equator at Mitad del Mundo.  Despite its small size it offers rainforests, jungles, mountains, islands, snowcapped peaks, and deserts and comprises 46 ecosystems. With borders along the Amazon accessible from the town of El Coca, and Quito perched at the gateway to the Andes, exploring the far ends of Ecuador is a plausible trip.

Hiking a glacier-capped volcano and relaxing along the palm-fringed beaches are all doable on the same day. The often-overlooked beaches along the Pacific coast boast seaside villages offering freshly caught seafood and a chance to languish the afternoon with barely another person. Here, birding, jungle hikes, and whale watching offer diversions.  The pride of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands home to unique wildlife and volcanic landscapes is a plane ride away.