Coordinates: 2°00′S 77°30′W / 2.000°S 77.500°W / -2.000; -77.500
Restaurants in Ecuador
5.0 based on 46 reviews
4.5 based on 172 reviews
If you are an orchid lover and have planned to visit ECUADOR, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world where more than 4,200 species of Ecuadorian Orchids grow, home to more than 1600 species of birds, 16 ethnic groups, 70 volcanoes in the Andes Highlands, and its wonderful beaches... We invite YOU to visit the SOUTH AMERICA'S LARGEST ORCHID NURSERY... "ECUAGENERA". It is located in the South part of Ecuadorian Highlands, 40km near to Cuenca City in the Province of Azuay. A privileged area with an altitude of 2200m above sea level and a temperature of 17oC that allow us to grow orchids of different microclimates: Coast, Highlands and Amazon. Visit us and enjoy this wonderful weather, take amazing pictures of all the Ecuadorian orchids that are in bloom and be part of the experience. As well, you will learn about the conservation program Ecuagenera is caring out, orchids growing process, commercialization and exportation. We are sure that your visit to this wonderful place will result you a FASCINATING EXPERIENCE AND MARVELOUS ADVENTURE.
Travel in a pandemic has its pluses. Ecuagenera makes money by attending 70+ orchid shows per year - all cancelled in 2020. So our family lucked into a private tour of Ecuagenera with its welcoming President, the bilingual Jose Portilla. Mr. Portilla taught us about orchids from germination to flowering. One orchid seed pod has 3 million tiny seeds because a vanishing fraction actually germinate. The company history is equally fascinating. The Portilla brothers grew up in an Amazonian village and were compelled to help the Salesian Padre who taught them in school with his orchid fascination after school and weekends. Years passed and the drudgery morphed into an incredible business opportunity. Mr. Portilla is now available to take orchid/nature lovers on tours to the Amazon. Do it! And if you can’t, tour the Ecuagenera facility in Gualaceo.
4.5 based on 2,268 reviews
This must visit park, located in what was the Arms Square of the New Town in the late 17th century, is home to a large number of land iguanas (some quite large) who roam its lawns and pathways – you must watch where you put your feet. The iguanas are not concerned with people (I actually touched one of them!), they mostly seem to just want a sunny spot in which to bask. Their stand out feature was the length of their tails plus length/shape of their fingers/toes. Rarely do they venture outside of the park but if they do, traffic stops and they return to the park. At night they climb the trees to sleep – out of reach of any predators. This Park is also home to a 14’ high monument (erected 1889) of Simon Bolivar on horseback. Bolivar was a big hero in these parts, helping secure the independence of six South American countries, including Ecuador in 1822, from the Spanish. The Park is across a street from the Metropolitan Cathedral.
4.5 based on 5 reviews
As soon as you walk back from the Boardwalk / Malecon 2000 into the Gardens the temperature drops by about 10 degrees. That's the first win. Then the plantings and open spaces between provide shade and a relaxed feeling, just being there. We walked within this garden area for as long as we could before leaving the park. We loved the water wheel with spilling waters continuously shifting the wheel back and forward with the weight of the water in the scoops. There are numerous statues within the garden and even a few iguanas. Loved it!
ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.