| Gay Trip Ideas For Ecuador |
| Written by Howie Holben | |
| Saturday, 17 April 2010 | |
|
Although a small country, Ecuador boasts a wide array of geographic and cultural diversity, including a variety of indigenous groups with distinctive cultures and languages. From snow-capped volcanoes and rainforests to tropical shorelines, Ecuador has varying landscapes and climates, making it wonderful for gay tours or exciting adventures a great idea any time of the year.
Although a small country, Ecuador boasts a wide array of geographic and cultural diversity, including a variety of indigenous groups with distinctive cultures and languages. From snow-capped volcanoes and rainforests to tropical shorelines, Ecuador has varying landscapes and climates, making it wonderful for gay tours or exciting adventures a great idea any time of the year. Perhaps best known for the Galapagos Islands, the mainland is also home to many attractions and sightseeing opportunities that make gay tours to Ecuador well worth the trip. Whether you are in search of a spiritual retreat, an outdoors adventure or gay travel that includes getting to know the LGBT community in Quito, exploring the rainforest and lounging on the beach, you are sure to discover the many reasons that Ecuador is such a popular travel destination year after year as soon as you step off the plane. Quito is the main city where you will find an LGBT community, particularly in the bohemian neighborhood of La Mariscal. This is where the Quito Pride celebration is held each June and is home to the various community nightspots, cafs and friendly establishments that Quito has on offer. As for nightlife, La Mariscal is the place to party on Friday and Saturday nights, but is also a wonderful afternoon hangout any day of the week. Sitting 9,200 feet above sea level and with the 13,000-foot volcano, Pichincha, nearby, Quito can be - quite literally - a breathtaking city when you first arrive, but you are sure to acclimate soon after arrival. Many streets are lined with shops, cafs and art galleries, and the historic center of town has been dubbed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, increasing the appeal of this diverse city. Major attractions include the Centro de Arte Contemporaneo, the Museo de la Ciudad, the Capilla del Hombre Guayasamin and the Parque el Ejido, which is lined with open-air stalls with handicrafts for sale. Since the late 1990s, legal rights have expanded in Ecuador with protections that make gay vacations to this beautiful country safer and more enjoyable. However, discretion in public is still a good idea in many places, particularly due to the high level of machismo the still permeates the culture. Those who are considering gay vacations to Ecuador may want to take advantage of pre-arranged gay tours, which allow for a higher level of security and a focus on fun, while travel professionals manage logistical aspects of the voyage and ensure that you will not miss out on some of the most appealing cultural, historic and natural attractions that Ecuador has to offer. This allows you to more fully enjoy your excursion with minimal worries and to explore this diverse country with like-minded travelers. The Article Author: Howie Holben wrote this essay about gay travel to Ecuador advice. He is the caretaker of Spirit Journeys, a gay men retreat company. Spirit Journeys makes available spiritual gay travel vacations world wide. |
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