Gay Travel In 2010 To Ecuador
Although small, Ecuador offers a vast array of diversity when it comes to geography and various indigenous people with unique languages and cultures. From tropical coastlines to volcanoes that spend much of the year covered in snow, Ecuador is home to varying landscapes that make any time of year a great time for exciting gay tours.
While the Galapagos Islands are perhaps the most frequently visited attraction in Ecuador, the mainland is also filled with numerous activities and sightseeing opportunities that ensure gay tours to Ecuador will be exciting, fulfilling and memorable. Whether you seek an outdoor adventure, a spiritual journey or gay travel that consists of exploring the LGBT community in Quito, trekking through the rainforest and spending lazy afternoons on the beach, you will surely see why so many travelers return to this popular tourist destination year after year.
Travelers will find that Quito is largely the center of LGBT life and has the most visible community. This is particularly true in the La Mariscal neighborhood, which is the location of the Quito Pride celebration each year in June, as well as the district where LGBT-friendly clubs, bars, cafs and other establishments can be found. This bohemian neighborhood is a popular afternoon hangout and is the place to go for a night on the town on Fridays and Saturdays.
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.
Rights and protections in Ecuador have expanded over the past decade, allowing for gay vacations that are more enjoyable and safer. At the same time, there is still an air of machismo permeating the culture, which means discretion in most public places is still a good idea. One way to avoid issues and more fully enjoy your voyage to Ecuador is to plan to participate in gay tours when embarking on gay vacations to this diverse country.
This will allow you to focus on enjoying your Ecuador trip, while professionals manage the logistics of the journey and make sure you do not miss out on the most enticing natural, cultural and historic attractions.
Score by Howie Holben about Ecuador gay couples travel. Spirit Journeys also offers gay rafting adventures.