Ecuador is a South American country located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. It sits at the intersection of the world’s longest mountain range, the Andes, and the world’s longest parallel, the equator. The interaction of these factors has made this tropical country one of the most species-rich on the planet.
General Info
- Zoogeographical Region: Neotropical
- Climate: Very diverse, ranging from semi-desert hot areas on the southwest coast to snow-capped mountain peaks. However, most of the country has a humid tropical climate.
- Altitude range: 0 to 6,263 meters (0-20,549 ft)
- Capital: Quito
- Main language: Spanish
- Currency: U.S. Dollar
- Best time to visit: All year round
Ecuador is extraordinary for wildlife lovers. To give you an idea, an area representing just 0.2% of the world’s land area is home to approximately 8% of the world’s diversity of amphibians, 5% of reptiles, 8% of mammals, and a whopping 16% of all bird species. More than 40% of all the world’s hummingbird species can be found in Ecuador.
All told, this exceeds the species richness of the entire United States and Canada. Nowhere in the world do we find more animal species per square kilometer than Ecuador.
This breathtaking variety of life forms in Ecuador is the result of its immense diversity of biomes. Imagine almost any type of landscape, and there is a good chance that you will find it in one of Ecuador’s 91 ecosystems. The arid and almost desert areas of the southwest and, just a few hundred kilometers to the north, one of the wettest places on earth, the Chocó. On a clear day, you can see the hot, tropical coast from the chilly peaks of snow-capped volcanoes. Then there is the magical Amazon and, as the icing on the cake, the Galapagos archipelago.
The overall height of the Andes – their steep slopes and deep, isolated valleys – have provided excellent conditions for the evolution of new species. The terrain of the Andes is so impenetrable that even such mobile creatures as birds find it difficult to cross. For this reason, many species (including birds) are found only in very small areas. Often, driving a few dozen minutes in your car is enough to enter a world inhabited by completely different species than in the place you just left.
Reasons to Visit
South America is sometimes called the bird continent. That doesn’t mean you won’t encounter other classes of animals, but feathered creatures play a major role here. From the Pacific coast or the Amazon basin to the snow-capped mountain peaks, hundreds of bird species can be photographed in a few weeks. Some of the most attractive are hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, barbets, trogons and quetzals, and motmots – but also skulking antpittas, antbirds and a variety of raptors, including the majestic harpy eagle.
Other wildlife photographers will also find much to enjoy. Whether you’re an avid photographer of amphibians, reptiles, or a variety of invertebrates, especially insects, Ecuador has much to offer. Only if mammal photography is your primary interest might your memory card fill up a little slower – but only a little. Ecuador is not lacking in mammals. A total of 424 species is an impressive number. Just don’t expect to see large herds like in the savannas of Africa.
Still, if you’re lucky, you can photograph many species of monkeys, bats, even a tapir, armadillos, deer, sloths, pink dolphins, as well as some carnivores such as otters, tayras, culpeos, or Ecuador’s largest carnivore, the spectacled bear (which I wrote about previously here). The summer months offer great opportunities to photograph the jumping humpback whales, too. It truly is a wildlife photographer’s paradise.
Ecuador is also a paradise for landscape photographers. Photographing a comprehensive collection of all 91 of Ecuador’s ecosystems is a task that could take half a lifetime. Most photographers’ hearts will leap at the sight of the Andean mountains with their snow-capped volcanoes. If you are fit enough to stand on one of them at sunrise, it is an unforgettable experience. If you’re lucky, one of the active volcanoes will be erupting smoke and hot pyroclastics.
Coastal and lowland areas also offer interesting views and photographic opportunities. Boat trips into the green gloom of the Amazon lowlands will take you back hundreds of years to the days of Francisco de Orellana, the first European to navigate the majestic Amazon. Sunsets over a lake in the middle of a primary forest, crystal clear streams in a mountain forest, waterfalls, exotic flowers, empty beaches, or the green world of a tropical jungle. These and many other themes are offered by the Ecuadorian nature.
And then, of course, there are the people. The Ecuadorians are generally very nice and friendly and will gladly agree to be photographed if you are interested in documentary work. Fortunately, paid photography has not yet penetrated this part of the world, at least not on a large scale. Therefore, a few Spanish words or at least a nice smile will usually suffice.
Places to Visit
Ecuador is a relatively small but very diverse and jagged country. You could easily spend a lifetime photographing its wild inhabitants and still have plenty to shoot. For wildlife photography, I recommend spending at least a couple of days at each location so you can get to know the place, see what lives there, and have time to think of some interesting shots.
If you have limited time, say two weeks, I recommend that you stay in northern Ecuador. To photograph as many species as possible, you will want to visit both sides of the Andes, from the lowlands to the mountain steppe (the páramo). If you have a few extra days, it’s also worth visiting the coast.
If you decide to visit the Amazon rainforest, depending on your budget, choose one of the many lodges in Yasuní or Cuyabeno National Park. A great advantage for photography is if the lodge has its own observation tower, giving you access to the canopy where most of the rainforest life takes place. Visits to the clay licks are also very attractive, with large numbers of animals – mostly parrots – gathering to replenish missing minerals.
On the Amazon side of the Andes, highland and lowland species mix around 1500 meters. From the Eastern Foothills, there are several options for day trips into the surrounding lowlands. For example, to the town of Loreto, near which is one of the nests of the majestic harpy eagle, or to Puerto Misahuallí, where you can photograph two coquettes (an attractive species of hummingbird) in one garden.
Near the town of Papallacta, at an altitude of around 2,700 meters, you’ll find a paradise for mountain hummingbirds. You’ll also be able to photograph the beautiful green and turquoise jays, the torrent duck, or the gray-breasted mountain toucan. Perhaps the best place to photograph high mountain species is Zuroloma, on the western slope of the Pichincha volcano.
An ideal starting point for photography trips on the Pacific side of the Andes is the small town of Mindo. Hundreds of bird species can be observed and photographed there and in the surrounding area. It’s hard to recommend just a few places for photography, but you can’t go wrong by visiting Paz de las Aves, Milpe, Alambi, or Sachatamia. Take a day trip to Mashpi Amagusa, where you’ll have the chance to photograph many of the Choco’s endemic species. These include the orange-breasted fruiteater, moss-backed tanager, toucan barbet, and many others.
If you don’t have the time or budget to visit the Galapagos Islands, but would like to photograph typical marine and coastal wildlife, visit Machalilla National Park. The fishing village of Puerto López is a great place to stay and a perfect starting point for photographic excursions. In addition to fishermen, you can photograph frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, and many others. Instead of the Galapagos Islands you can visit a small island about 40km off the coast, Isla de la Plata. On the way to the island you can photograph jumping humpback whales.
Travel tips
Spanish is the primary language in Ecuador. Learning a few words of Spanish will open many doors that would otherwise remain closed.
Download Ecuadorian bird calls to your phone (such as the free Merlin app) so that you can learn to identify the target species.
Also, download high quality offline topographic maps to your phone before you go. The memory card with your great shots will survive months in the Ecuadorian wilderness, but you probably won’t. Excellent and free maps are available at Mapy.cz.
Ecuador is a country with few health risks. Food is relatively safe, even in local restaurants. Don’t hesitate to visit them. Be sure to try the ceviches de camaron or the roasted guinea pig (cuy).
The security situation in Ecuador has deteriorated somewhat in recent years. However, as long as you avoid some of the more notorious places like Guayaquil, Manta or the province of Esmeraldas, you should be safe. Of course, these sorts of situations are always fluid, so do careful research beforehand on the locations you intend to visit.
Payment in Ecuador is in US dollars and mostly in cash. However, be prepared for problems with bills larger than $20. Always carry enough smaller bills. ATM withdrawals are possible, but usually limited to a few hundred dollars.
Although Ecuador is a tropical country, be prepared for very cold temperatures. Expect that even temperatures around 5°C (41°F) can feel uncomfortable at high altitudes and high relative humidity. It’s better to bring several layers of well-drying clothing as opposed to a single thicker down jacket.
Ultimately, the easiest way to visit Ecuador is with a tour operator or a local guide. But if you are more adventurous, I recommend renting a car and traveling around Ecuador on your own. It’s not that complicated.
Let me know if you have any questions about traveling to Ecuador, and I’d be happy to answer!
