What do I need to know about Ecuador’s new digital nomad visa? Launched in November 2022, Ecuador’s digital nomad visa joins a number of other nations tempting remote workers. Brits, alongside members of other 182 countries, are eligible. To apply, you’ll need to prove you earn three times the Ecuadorian ‘basic income’ — which, in 2023, is £1,090 per month — plus a contract indicating you work remotely. You’ll also need a clean police record and health insurance


with coverage in Ecuador. The process begins with an online application followed by a visit to the Ecuadorian embassy in London, costs £365 and can take two to four months. consuladovirtual.gob.ec A one-bedroom apartment


in Quito starts from around £405 a month, while hot desking at a coworking space can cost travellers an additional £95. Slick hostel and coworking chain Selina is a popular alternative with youthful nomads, promising guests a strong sense of


community. Its four locations, including the party town of Montañita and Amazon gateway of Baños, will set you back around £290 a month for both coworking and accommodation. selina.com Wi-fi speeds are reliable


in major cities but less so in rural areas. However, with this country home to the wildlife bonanza that is the Galápagos Islands, handsome Andean cities and volcano-stippled national parks, you may find yourself working less and travelling more. STEPH DYSON


Which wildlife-watching experience on the Pacific Coast would you recommend? Ecuador’s Pacific Coast is a microcosm of the country’s staggering biodiversity — it has thick jungles full of howler monkeys, massive marine creatures passing through its diving hotspots and hundreds of unique bird species to keep an eye out for. Travellers can spot a


variety of them upon arrival in Guayaquil, the Pacific Coast’s biggest hub. Surrounded by mangroves, rivers and


estuaries, it’s the ideal habitat for Ecuador’s endemic and migratory seabirds. There are 14 dedicated birdwatching routes in and around the city: watch herons, stark-white against the dense green mangroves in the El Morro and El Salado reserves, or find colonies of frigates and blue- footed boobies nesting on Manglecito island. For easy access to the Pacific


Coast’s other animal sightings, base yourself at Tanusas Hotel in Boca de Cayo. The luxury property sits in the shadow


of the cloud forest mountains of Cantagallo, filled with hollering howler monkeys and prowling pumas. Yet, its access to the Pacific’s marine wildlife is even more enticing. The nearby waters are home to species including manta rays and cruising sea turtles, while humpback whales can be spotted hugging the coastline from June to October. You can organise excursions via Tanusas Hotel, alongside other activities such as surfing or bike riding. From £208, B&B. tanusas.earth SJ ARMSTRONG


I’d like to go beyond Quito to see volcanoes and hot springs. Where do you suggest? Many of Ecuador’s natural highlights are within reach of the elevated capital. From cloud forest retreats to national parks, there’s a wide choice of day trips that put nature front and centre. If it’s breathtaking scenery


you’re after, the impressively conical Cotopaxi volcano takes some beating. Though reaching its snow-covered summit might be a stretch, that doesn’t mean you can’t marvel at its lofty grace from ground level. Walk the one- and-a-half-mile-long trail at Lake Limpiopungo in Cotopaxi National Park, gazing up in wonder to search for soaring condors, or get expert knowledge on indigenous wildflowers and fauna, like Andean foxes and white-tailed deer, from a guide. national-parks.org The Quilotoa crater can also


be visited in a day, and the journey here along the Avenue of Volcanoes means you can see several highlights for the price of one. Once at the caldera (crater), you could spend a few hours taking in its majesty from lookout points around the tree-lined rim. Alternatively, hike inside the rocky interior down to the jewel-green water’s edge. Finally, the perfect antidote


to long days spent hiking or travelling has to be the Termas de Papallacta. These hot springs are only an hour outside Quito, and so relaxing you might just wish you’d booked an overnight stay. Opt for a massage or spa treatment, or just let yourself drift in and out of the warm water in heavenly surrounds, breathing pure, cool mountain air. termaspapallacta.com NORI JEMIL


ECUADOR 2023 49


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52