My dad has always loved a good adventure. As kids he took us on long overnight backpacking trips into the Colorado Rockies, car rides to just about ever part of the U.S., and week long vacations camping or in a houseboat on Lake Powell. But the start of our biggest adventure began with a trip to Baja California, Mexico.
My parents decided it would be fun to load everyone up in the van and drive from Colorado to California and into Mexico. The goal was to drive to whole length of the Baja. It didn’t work out, but it started a dream in my parents minds. They loved the laid back life of the people of Mexico.
Several months later a couple we knew decided to move to Ecuador. Ecuador? Why Ecuador? Whatever the reasons, my dad got an idea. He could take his family to Ecuador.
A couple of years later we were on a plane to Ecuador. What a time we had! We moved to Ecuador. But many families would probably enjoy and Ecuadorian adventure as much as we enjoyed our life in Ecuador.
Sights for Families
In our time in Ecuador we’ve seen some neat things. We went to the base of the highest mountain in the world (when measured from the center of the earth) Chimborazo. We swam in hot springs heated by a nearby volcano. We rafted one of the tributaries to the Amazon river and more!
Banos: This great little tourist town offers many family friendly activities. One, the hot springs mentioned above. Plus you can ride horses or rent mountain bikes. There are also hikes into the nearby mountains.
This colorful town has many food and hotel options to suit any budget.
Quito: The capital of Ecuador offers a great mix of colonial and modern times. Several markets and many gift shops have great souvenir opportunities.
You can take a ride on the Teleferico, one of the highest cable cars in the world, and take in amazing views of the city.
Plus, if you have a kid wishing for a taste from home, Quito has McDonald’s and Burger King.
Rafting: A variety of family friendly raft trips are available in Ecuador. Banos, mentioned above, has options. Or if you would like a taste of the rain forest head to Tena. You can enjoy an exhilarating ride down a river flanked by beautiful jungle scenery.
Galapagos Islands: Visit these famous islands, which form part of Ecuador. You can take a cruise to the different islands to enjoy the unique plant and animal life found on them.
Scuba diving is also available for those who would like to check out what’s under the waves.
Pacific Coast: A variety of beach towns line to coast of Ecuador. Whether you want to relax and surf some awesome waves, you’re sure to find a great beach town you’ll love. Plus watch for whales at certain times of the year.
This is just a small taste of the activities available in Ecuador!
Is Ecuador Family Friendly?
Can a family, even a family with small children, enjoy an Ecuador vacation? Yes. But there are some things to consider. Not all activities cater to children. Check for things suitable to your child’s age and interests. Check out parks and playgrounds for safety hazards before allowing your children to play.
Walking is usually part of time in Ecuador. And using a stroller can be difficult due to uneven roads and sidewalks. But having some option for carting around tired little ones can be handy. There aren’t many specific places to take care of nursing or changing a baby in Ecuador. But taking care of these things in public is not looked down upon.
The Ecuadorian people love seeing families traveling together, so having a kid in tow can be a great ice breaker. A great time can be had for all. And what an experience for kids to share when they get back!
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