The Amazon leads the tourist destinations in Ecuador that cannot be missed in 2023; here the ‘ranking’ of the best sites

Receiving the Best Tourism Villages 2022 recognition, granted by the World Tourism Organization, makes Aguarico, in Orellana, and Angochagua, in Imbabura, lead the list of tourist destinations to visit in Ecuador during 2023, according to information from the Ministry of Tourism ( MinTur).

Last year, 1,072,027 foreign tourists arrived in the country; this means a growth of 85% compared to 2021. A large percentage of visitors come from the United States. Ecuador recovered faster from the ravages of the pandemic in the tourism sector than countries such as Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru and Chile, according to the MinTur.

Government announces the list of holidays between 2023 and 2025 for Ecuador

Holidays in 2022 generated $480 million. Manabí, Santa Elena, Guayas and Azuay were the most visited provinces at the end of 2022.

This 2023 the objective is to increase this figure and, especially, to encourage Ecuadorians to carry out local tourism. This is why the Government published, in December 2022, the list of holidays between 2023 and 2025. The objective is that Ecuadorians can plan their days off in advance and travel the country.

For Holbach Muñeton, president of the National Federation of Provincial Chambers of Tourism of Ecuador, although visitor numbers are approaching pre-pandemic levels, there are still problems that must be resolved in order to fully reactivate local tourism in 2023.

It indicates that, although the sector’s recovery figures are positive, these must be analyzed separately to have a better x-ray, since industries such as bars and nightclubs are still 40% away from reaching 2019 levels; the hotel industry is below, with 35%.

“In airlines, the figure for 2019 has already been exceeded. Now we need you to help us in time to pay off the loans, because we have not yet reached the break-even point, and to refinance what is owed in the IESS (Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security) . We cannot deny that the curve since 2020 has been upward“, He says.

For the executive, it is important to seek to promote local tourism, since most businesses depend on this movement. He affirms that security must be worked on so that people have the confidence to move. In addition, he affirms that stoppages and mobilizations, such as those announced by Conaie, should be avoided, because that also scares away visitors.

“The foreign tourist is more concerned about strikes, and the local tourist is more concerned about safety. These are two aspects that we must work together to improve. Create safe circuits, avoid strikes… In October, concerts and festivals were held in Guayaquil, and the figures for that month exceeded the figures for previous years, that is, we demonstrated that coordinated work can be done. However, in November the Government decreed a curfew, a state of emergency”, he points out.

Muñeton considers that this year the recovery of the tourism sector will continue to rise, and believes that it is very likely that the year will close with the same levels as 2019, provided that the appropriate impulses are given.

In which Latin American countries are there more holidays?

EL UNIVERSO asked the MinTur for the list of recommended tourist destinations to visit this 2023 in Ecuador. Here the list.

aguarico

It is located in Orellana. It has a high representativeness of lagoons that are located within the Yasuní National Park and the Cuyabeno Faunal Reserve. The initiatives that the canton is taking are community tourism at the Sacha Ñampi and YakuWarmi centers.

This canton has shown that tourism can be enjoyed without altering the balance of the environment and the cultural manifestations of the Huaorani nationality, such as the traditional game of the blowpipe, dance, making handicrafts woven with natural fiber; Knowing the customs and experience of the Quichua culture. Here the guide that describes the place.

Angochagua

Meanwhile, the town of Angochagua is part of the Imbabura World Geopark of Ecuador, the first and only one to date, as it is a territory with a high diversity in nature with different altitudinal floors that allow having the main water sources, such as Guaraczapas, that provides drinking water to the city of Ibarra.

It also has ecosystems where endemic species of South America live, such as the spectacled bear, the Andean tapir, the puma, the condor, the white-tailed deer, the Andean toucan, the mountain guan, hawks, hawks, owls, etc. ., the most representative species of the area and that pass through the territory that borders the Cayambe-Coca National Park. These species motivate the visit and encourage research and conservation processes. Here the guide that describes the place.

Galapagos

The podium is closed by the Galapagos Islands. Famous for its unique biodiversity in the world, it is an example of sustainable development. In this region you can enjoy delicious organic coffee grown in its volcanic soils, and a variety of exquisite seafood-based dishes obtained from responsible fishing.

In Galapagos you can visit the top ten tourist attractions. You can do water activities, such as sea kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, surfing, wildlife observation, among other activities. In the following hyperlink you can download the portfolio of recommended tourist attractions in Galapagos. Here is the portfolio of what can be done in Galapagos.

Napo

The fourth place that the MinTur recommends is Napo. This Amazonian province is ideal for agrotourism. Producers have opened the doors of their farms to allow visitors to learn about the work, culture, and worldview behind these production systems.

The agrotourism offer is varied, allowing visitors to learn about the production of dairy products, coffee, chocolate, guayusa and countless ornamental, fruit, and medicinal species, among others. The biggest reference point for agrotourism in Napo is its ancestral production system known as chakra, which is a living space where people, plants and animals interact; is led by the chakramama or ‘woman of the farm’, who is in charge of her care.

This province is also ideal for adventure tourism. You can practice activities such as climbing, canyoningcycling, kayaking, rafting, trekking Y tubbing. It is the fourth province with the highest percentage of ecosystems: of the 91 ecosystems that exist in Ecuador, 18 are concentrated in this province, covering an area of ​​1’072,864.31 ha, which is also home to the Napo River, one of the largest and most mighty rivers of the Amazon basin, whose length is 491.85 km and its average flow is 1,800 cubic meters per second. Here the guide of adventure activities in Napo.

palanda

The top five is closed by Palanda, in Zamora Chinchipe. Here you can learn about the place of origin of cocoa: on the site are the oldest traces of the use of cocoa in America. There are also nature and adventure activities in the Podocarpus National Park.

You can also visit an archaeological settlement located between the Santa Ana and La Florida neighborhoods, five kilometers from Palanda. This place was inhabited by the Mayo Chinchipe (3500 BC, early period), Tacana (500 years BC and AD, period of regional development) and Bracamoros (1300 AD, period of development) cultures. late period). In addition, you can visit the Cresta del Gallo hill, the San Luis waterfall or the Urahua spa. Here the guide of activities in Palanda.

Other tourist activities

Ecuador is recognized worldwide for its megadiversity, so in every corner of the country there is always something new to discover. This is why the MinTur also recommends carrying out the following activities in Ecuador.

• Know the magical towns

In Ecuador there are 21 magical towns, localities that stand out for their unique natural or cultural attributes and that allow the visitor to know and enjoy the customs and traditions of the population and the local gastronomy. You can also complement the visit with different activities that each town offers. In the following link you can know the itineraries that can be done in each magical town.

Patate, Zaruma, Alausí, Cotacachi, San Gabriel, Portoviejo, Guano, Ibarra, Rumiñahui, Azogues, Chordeleg, Agua Blanca, Shushufindi, Lago Agrio, Pimampiro, Floreana Island, El Chaco, Cayambe, Esmeraldas, Calvas and Saraguro are the magical towns in Ecuador. Here the catalog of magical towns.

• Visit community tourism centers

Community tourism centers (CTC) are tourist services developed by local communities that take advantage of the natural or cultural heritage of the region in which they settle to develop and offer activities characterized by the participation of their population that lead to promoting their sustainable development. You can visit the CTC and learn about the customs and traditions of the different communities of the Andes, Amazon and Coast.

Playa El Oro, San Miguel, Los Gilces commune, Dos Mangas, San Jacinto de Santay, on the coast; Yunguilla, Lago Verde Quilotoa, Pondoa commune, Matiavi Salinas, Royal Palace, Tolte commune, Quilla Pacari, La Moya, in the Sierra; and Sani Lodge, Shayari, Yaku Warmi, Sacha Ñampi, Carachupa Pakcha, Napo Cultural Center, Napo Wildlife Center, Pacto Sumaco, Santa Rita, Amarun Pakcha, Shiripuno, Sinchi Warmi, Unión Muyuna, Ayllu Awarina, Ecovillage Shandia, Sharamentsa and Shuar Suwa , in the Amazon, are all the CTC registered in Ecuador. Here the CTC portfolio. (YO)