2008 Woodie Awards
Need a vacation? Explore Ecuador
Aimee Reyes
Issue date: 8/27/07 Section: Features
"Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. From what I've tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if I had to perish twice, I know enough of hate to say that for destruction ice is also great and would suffice."
Robert Frost's poem speaks of the devastating potential of fire and ice, but for the South American country of Ecuador, these two conflicting forces set the stage for one of nature's most awesome displays of might. Ecuador's snow covered volcanoes are some of the highest in the world, and many are still active today. It is their frozen majesty that draws people back year after year, all hoping to catch a glimpse of fire within the ice.
Although it is roughly the size of Colorado, Ecuador can be divided up into three distinct regions: the Amazon jungle, the Andes Mountains and the Pacific coastland. Since Ecuador is right on the equator, the temperatures stay fairly the same all year, though the rainy summer season spans from December to May.
Due to its highly unstable economy, Ecuador adopted the U.S. dollar as its official currency in 2000. This means that American tourists don't have to exchange their money when they travel to Ecuador.
Another added bonus is that the dollar is worth much more in Ecuador, meaning tourists can enjoy more activities for less money.
There are over 25 national parks in Ecuador, and of those there are two that are the most well known. The first is Cotopaxi National Park, which is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Located an hour and a half from the capital city of Quito, this park is home to snow covered Cotopaxi, one of the world's highest active volcanoes. Visitors to the park are allowed to hike on the mountains, though for less experienced climbers a guide is suggested.
The park is also home to many different kinds of birds, and visitors are sure to get their fill of sights during their time there. Admission to Cotopaxi National Park costs $10.
Robert Frost's poem speaks of the devastating potential of fire and ice, but for the South American country of Ecuador, these two conflicting forces set the stage for one of nature's most awesome displays of might. Ecuador's snow covered volcanoes are some of the highest in the world, and many are still active today. It is their frozen majesty that draws people back year after year, all hoping to catch a glimpse of fire within the ice.
Although it is roughly the size of Colorado, Ecuador can be divided up into three distinct regions: the Amazon jungle, the Andes Mountains and the Pacific coastland. Since Ecuador is right on the equator, the temperatures stay fairly the same all year, though the rainy summer season spans from December to May.
Due to its highly unstable economy, Ecuador adopted the U.S. dollar as its official currency in 2000. This means that American tourists don't have to exchange their money when they travel to Ecuador.
Another added bonus is that the dollar is worth much more in Ecuador, meaning tourists can enjoy more activities for less money.
There are over 25 national parks in Ecuador, and of those there are two that are the most well known. The first is Cotopaxi National Park, which is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Located an hour and a half from the capital city of Quito, this park is home to snow covered Cotopaxi, one of the world's highest active volcanoes. Visitors to the park are allowed to hike on the mountains, though for less experienced climbers a guide is suggested.
The park is also home to many different kinds of birds, and visitors are sure to get their fill of sights during their time there. Admission to Cotopaxi National Park costs $10.
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