Rough Guide to Ecuador, Second Edition [Paperback]

Harry Ades (Author), Melissa Graham (Author)

Book Description

Series: Rough Guide Travel Guides | Publication Date: November 27, 2003

This guide to Ecuador examines this fascinating and dramatically diverse country and includes complete coverage of the unique Galapagos islands. A colour introduction gives an insight into the country's highlights from snorkelling in the Galapagos to exploring Quito's colonial churches. Detailed accounts are given of these attractions as well as all the others from the unspoiled jungle of the Oriente and the highland farms of the central sierra to partying at the capital's latest nightspots. There is also practical advice on a range of activities from learning Spanish in Quito to shopping in Otavalo's bustling markets or climbing Volcan Cotopaxi. There are up-to-the-minute reviews of the best places to stay, eat and drink, plus the pick of the cyber cafes and shops. Finally there are over 50 maps and background on Ecuador's history, culture, indigenous peoples and environmental issues.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Melissa Graham has travelled widely in the Andean countries and is co-author of The Rough Guide to Chile.

Harry Ades was born in Oaxaca and has spent many years travelling through Central and South America. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Rough Guides; 2nd edition (November 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843531097
• ISBN-13: 978-1843531098
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #884,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Opening the door to Ecuador, January 2, 2001

By 

[e-mail] (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rough Guide to Ecuador (Paperback)

We have just returned from a month in Ecuador and found the new Rough Guide invaluable. Each chapter is clearly laid out and gives an accurate summary of regional highlights. It definitely made our trip planning and travel much easier. Ecuador is an amazing Andean country, with rainforests, tropical pacific coastline, high active volcanoes and the Galapagos Islands.

The Rough Guide provided us with essential information on how to travel and tips on safety and health proved very helpful.

Thanks also to the authors for including information on the damage being done to Ecuador's pristine rainforest and indigenous communities by a few oil companies. This is something that senstive tourists need to be aware of - the rare and fascinating tribal communities, the jungle wildlife and natural beauty we travelled to see are in real danger because of the actions of a few short term organisations who are right now planning a big push into the Oriente region.

Overall this is a really good, clear guide book with excellent recommendations for where to stay, what to do and even good tips on where to eat, drink and party. Don't go up the jungle without it! Thanks from Carmel McConnell and Catherine Purkiss

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Starting Point, December 1, 2008

By 

Abe (Florida) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Rough Guide to Ecuador - Edition 3 (Paperback)

I spent a month in Educator, definitely not enough time to experience the entire country, but with this guide, I was able to experience more than I would have otherwise. The initial historical context set up by the book prepared me for what I would encounter in the country - I even loved that they touched, albeit briefly, on the tenuous race relations between Ecuadorian ethnic groups. As a black woman who loves to travel the world, I'm always curious to know how I will be perceived/what reception I will receive, so this tidbit of information was extremely helpful. I was participating in a language immersion program, so I stayed with a host family and thus can not speak to the hotel recommendations, however, I did have opportunity to visit a many of the recommended restaurants and night spots and I have to say, they were spot on with their selections. I think this book presented an authentic picture of Ecuador, covering the major regions quite adequately. I also had the Lonely Planet guidebook, but this was the one that rarely left my side and it is definitely part of the reason I had such an enjoyable time in Ecuador.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as other rough guides, February 26, 2011

By 

Emi - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Rough Guide to Ecuador (Rough Guides) (Paperback)

I generally really like the Rough Guide and have used it in maybe 10 or 15 countries. However, the one for Ecuador is poor. I moved to Ecuador a year ago and bought the 2010 version as soon as it came out. I have been consistently disappointed by the lack of information it has and is even completely missing common and well-known restaurants and hotels. I have a car and it does not have helpful information on how to get places other than by bus. I am usually not a fan of Lonely Planet, but for this country, it is much better.