Top 5 Reasons to Travel to Ecuador Post Covid-19
Travel to Ecuador Post Covid. While the world continues to fight against Covid-19, tourism has started to have a slow recovery. However, amidst these difficult times, the world stands as beautiful as it has always been, and the time will soon come, when borders will fully open, flights will flood the skies, passports will be stamped, pictures will be taken, nature will be admired, and life will resume as vivid as ever. Tourism is returning and Ecuador is waiting for you!
Top 5 Reasons to Travel to Ecuador Post Covid-19
The travel industry is going to adapt to a new set of challenges, and the priorities of travelers are going to shift. Some travel destinations are going to be better suited for the new times, and among these optimal travel destinations, Ecuador is our top pick!
There are countless reasons to travel to Ecuador Post Covid. However, 10 of them will be mentioned and 5 highlighted:
- The Galapagos Islands
- Family and group-oriented travel
- Jungle, Beaches, Mountains – All-in-one
- Budget prices
- Nature and open spaces
- Great climate all year round
- Underrated food
- People are friendly with foreigners
- Short travel distance within Ecuador with good transportation systems and airports
- Tourism oriented country
1. The Galapagos Islands
“Unique” is a word that is used lightly nowadays. However, for the Galapagos, the islands that were of paramount importance for the elaboration of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, and the islands with the highest level of endemic species in the world; “Unique” is fitting.
Travelers shouldn’t think twice about visiting the Galapagos Archipelago, where one can engage in activities such as beautiful landscape sightseeing, chillin’ on pristine beaches, adventurous activities like snorkeling and diving, unforgettable island hiking, and a lot more. Visiting this destination is often described as a “one in a lifetime” experience.
What about the safety concerns due to the virus?
The Galapagos Islands have had, even before the COVID-19 crisis, and with more reasons after the COVID-19 crisis, strict safety protocols. The population of the Galapagos Islands between the ages of 16 and 65 is 100% vaccinated after a great effort from the public and private sectors. All members of the tourism industry in the Galapagos and continental Ecuador, are also fully vaccinated. Very few new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the archipelago in recent weeks.
97% of its territory is a protected National Park. All entrances to the islands are strictly monitored, both on the mainland and in the islands. All planes and boats undergo a special disinfection process, and there are health and safety procedures within all facilities. After all, Galapagos inhabitants have had decades of experience in protecting the Island’s habitat from different types of diseases and threats. There is a culture of preservation inside this magical place.
Moreover, simply put, there is no mass tourism in the Galapagos Islands. In 2019 only, about 65,000 visitors went inside the National Park. Compare this to the 7 million visitors to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This number is going to be significantly less this year, and probably the year after. A traveler that decides to go to the Galapagos Islands is going to have the place almost to himself/herself! No gigantic cruises or cargo ships are allowed on the islands, and there is limited air travel between the islands which is focused especially on travelers that are uncomfortable with speedboat travel.
All of these reasons make The Galapagos Islands one of the safest places in the world!
2. Family and Group-oriented
Ecuadorian society has strong familiar roots. Families tend to be large; it is not rare for sons and daughters to live with their parents until they get married, grandparents are largely respected and children are a vital part of society. Many businesses are run by families. Because of this context, it is an ideal destination for families or small groups to travel together and feel comfortable and safe. Many artisanal products are hand-made instead of mass-produced. It is even possible for entire venues to be chartered for a single-family or group! Perfect for social distancing and private traveling.
3. Jungle, Beaches, Mountains. All-in-one
Households most likely are going to have to make up for the time that has been lost in the crisis. Travelers may have less time for their dream holidays, so, should they choose to travel to the city or to the countryside? To the beach, to the mountains, or to the jungle? It’s a difficult choice, so why choose at all? Being a small but one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Ecuador provides all of these options at a short traveling distance from each other. For instance, in just a couple of days, it is possible to visit Quito, the country’s Capital city; the imperious Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world; Quilotoa, a mesmerizing green-water lagoon in the crater of an inactive volcano, and many other movie-like landscapes in the Andes. Likewise, in two to three weeks, it is possible to visit the Amazon, the Andes, the Coast, and even the legendary Galapagos Islands. The possibilities are endless with a well-elaborated itinerary!
4. Budget Prices
The travel industry has received a harsh blow because of the crisis. Businesses within the industry have estimated a 70% loss in 2020 in relation to 2019. This is unfortunate, however, for the traveler, it may generate opportunities to find tours at discounted prices. Many businesses in Ecuador are run by small groups or by families, many suppliers of accommodation, food, or services are part of the local community and are dependent on the income they receive from the services they provide. This also means that they will go the extra mile to ensure to maintain the quality of what they do. By making the decision to travel to Ecuador, travelers create a win-win scenario, in which they get a memorable travel experience at a good price, and they help communities in much need to continue developing and growing. Also, Ecuador is a dollarized economy, thus travelers won’t have to go through all the fuss and loss of exchanging money for a less common currency.
*Pro Tip: You can book a trip now to travel later, taking advantage of the flexibility to reschedule the trip!
5. Nature and Open Spaces
Ecuador, without a shadow of a doubt, is the perfect destination for social distancing tourism because of its deep connection with nature. Don’t be mistaken, Ecuador does have many cultural landmarks, great museums, amazing baroque churches, and colonial architecture. For those reasons, Quito obtained the award for South America’s Leading City Destination in 2019 (World Travel Awards), and it is also regarded as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity. However, many of the most impactful sceneries within Ecuador are its towering snowy mountains, its vast beaches, and its pristine jungles. It is a country full of wide-open spaces where one can forget about the fear of the virus. As a matter of fact, close to 20% of the country’s surface is covered with protected areas. Also, numerous accommodation options provided in Ecuador are lodges or “haciendas” focused on nature rather than on maximizing guest capacity. Ecuador is a place to go and get a grasp of fresh air.
In conclusion, dear traveler, take care of yourself and always stay safe, but don’t let the fear of the coronavirus stop you from living your life to the fullest and traveling again. Always check the recommendations from the Official Authorities. When you decide to travel to Ecuador Post Covid, our team at Rebecca Adventure Travel will be glad to be of any assistance in preparing your journey.
Written by Gabriel A.
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