Few countries pack as much cultural and geographical diversity into such a small space as Ecuador. This jewel of history and nature is one of the less travelled destinations in South America, but that just means you’ll have more of it to yourself. From the charming Spanish colonial vibe of Cuenca and Quito to the colourful ethnic villages dotting the fertile valleys in the Avenue of Volcanoes, travellers can move between the nature and the culture with ease.

The rugged Andes Mountains form the spine of Ecuador from north to south. Perfect conical volcanoes and deep valleys make a stunning backdrop for exploring alpine national parks like Cotopaxi. Ecuador’s western lowlands are covered in hills and valleys divided by the many massive rivers which flow down from the mountains to the sea. There are beaches to explore and heavily populated coastal port towns like Guayaquil to provide a touch of urban flavour.

To the east of the Andes lies the lush rainforests of the Amazon Basin, known as El Oriente, where several indigenous tribes maintain their traditional way of life. Ecotourism is helping open this amazing region to visitors while seeking to protect the environment and its native people. Off Ecuador’s coast lie the legendary Galápagos Islands, where the wildlife still lives unaware of humanity thanks to strict limits on tourism.

Accommodation in Ecuador varies depending on where in the country you visit. The capital city, Quito, offers a range of five-star accommodations as well as comfortable mid-range hotels and guesthouses.

As in much of this region of South America, Ecuador’s history is steeped in mystery and culture. Pre-Incan civilisation is believed to date as far back as 12,000 BC beginning with Asiatic nomads and ending with small cultural groups such as the Valdivia and Chorrera. By 600 BC these societies began to fall under a collective caste system ruled by powerful shamans and merchant traders. Over the centuries, these groups fought, made alliances and populated the region eventually congealing into the stable Duchicela society. This culture had less than 200 years to rule, however, before the domineering arrival of Incas around 1450.

When the Spanish conquistador Pizarro reached Ecuador in 1532, indigenous life came to a brutal and bloody end. The Inca’s mighty ruler Atahualpa was captured and executed, marking the end of the Incan empire. Quito resisted the Spanish for two more years until it was finally razed by its own people to avoid being captured by the conquistadors. The city was rebuilt by the Spanish in 1534, giving it its present form. Only one Incan site within Ecuador remains intact from that era - Ingapirca.

Life for the surviving locals was harsh under Spanish rule but they did not rebel. It wasn’t until the arrival of Simón Bolivar in 1822 that Ecuador and much of South America was liberated from the Spaniards. But Ecuador’s independence has been marred by internal fighting between the liberals based in Guayaquil and the religious conservatives in Quito. Ecuador’s first century was politically unstable, resulting in more periods of military rule than civilian rule.

Ecuador relies heavily on oil exports from El Oriente, although tourism in becoming increasingly profitable. In 2000, the country switched its currency to US dollars and its government decided it was time to crack down on the rampant corruption. A series of presidents have proven unable to control this corruption and the country remains in a state of flux and development. The current president Rafael Correa looks set to continue this trend.

Although Ecuador’s weather varies widely depending on the region, it basically has two seasons: wet and dry. Ecuador’s coastal regions average 30°C throughout the year, with a brief but very wet rainy season soaking the coast between January and April. Fortunately, the sun usually reappears following the afternoon thunderstorms so it’s not that bad. The dry season from June to November is often cloudy, though it doesn’t actually rain.

The highlands of the Andes enjoy a cool dry season from June through September, when the weather is at its finest for outdoor excursions. The rest of the year temperatures only vary by a few degrees, but altitude plays a big role in how cold it gets. Quito has an average daily high of just 19°C due to its high elevation, and nights can be quite chilly throughout the year in the mountains.

In the Amazon rainforests of El Oriente it rains practically all year round, but January through April is the worst. The best chances of dry weather in El Oriente can be found between October and early December. The Galápagos Islands also see periods of light rain though conditions are generally mild and dry. October through May is its warmest period. The peak travel season in Ecuador is from June to September, and over the Christmas period. But in general the weather is pleasant any time of the year. Bring warm clothes if you plan to travel in the uplands.