Top Reasons to Go to Ecuador

Commune with turtles: Charles Darwin formulated his theory of evolution here in the Galápagos Islands, and a trip here causes you to ponder the mysteries of nature, too. It's expensive to get here, but the islands are one of the world's top wildlife-viewing experiences.

Something old, something new: Quito and Cuenca contain prime examples of preserved colonial quarters that vibrate with modern activity day and night. Both are refreshing examples of urban renewal making use of a proud past.

Journey to the center of the earth: The equator slices across northern Ecuador just north of Quito, making it a tourist-friendly cinch to straddle northern and southern hemispheres at once. Jump from summer to winter or autumn to spring in a single bound.

Shop till you drop: Otavalo, Ecuador's famous market town, hums with shoppers seeking bargains in carvings and woolens, a daily spectacle set against the Northern Highlands' stunning mountain-lake scenery.

Scale a volcano: All manner of tour operators will take you on a hike to the lower slopes of the nearly perfectly coned Cotopaxi volcano, one of Ecuador's iconic symbols, and have you back down in time to catch your breath to brag about it over dinner.