Cuenca in Ecuador is the perfect mixture of ancient heritage, rich culture, and modern innovation.We've rounded up the best things to do on a budget.
See photos of haciendas in Ecuador in this travel photo gallery from National Geographic.
There are incredible things to do in Ecuador, which is certainly an underrated country. Here's a 7-day Ecuador itinerary to start you off...
A beautiful 2002 shade from the OPI South America collection. How does it hold up 14 years later? Let's see!
Ecuadorian quesadillas are a delicious sweet/savoury snack in Quito and make a nice accompaniment to hot chocolate with mozzarella.
A beautiful 2002 shade from the OPI South America collection. How does it hold up 14 years later? Let's see!
I remember liking the swatches of the MAC Jin Soon polishes from last fall, but didn't feel the need to run out immediately and buy them. I saw Imperial Flower and Ming Blue at the CCO for $10.50 each, which is not a significant savings over retail, but... outlet mentality took over. Sigh. Luckily, I actually like both these shades very much! MAC Imperial Flower - I'm really into oranges this season, I'm not sure what's come over me! Comparison: MAC Imperial Flower and OPI Ecuadorable Coral - I used to think the OPI was retina searing, but in comparison.. wow is it ever tame! XD Comparison: MAC Imperial Flower and Essie Vermillionaire - Loving both of these! MAC Ming Blue - I like this a lot more than I thought I would! The shimmer is not so apparent indoors, but it's still quite pretty! Comparison: MAC Ming Blue and OPI Russian Navy Suede w/ topcoat - I was surprised to find I did not have a dupe for this! So my long winded story: Before purchasing, I asked the SAs if I could take a peek at the brushes to make sure they were not wonky. I was told that, no, I could not because air and germs would contaminate the polish. I was told I could look at a tester polish to see that brush. They did not understand how a MAC polish could have a wonky brush at all. I said I had seen wonky brushes on polishes straight from MAC's website, and their response was: "Well, that's the website. The brushes should be fine if they're from here." Because websites are known for selling irregular items, not outlets. Right? Waitaminute... Anyway, I decided to just buy them, check them right there, and return if necessary. The brushes were fine. I didn't say anything to "educate" the SAs, but it makes me wonder if they thought I was being the weird one. Silly muggles.
The Quilotoa Loop is an epic adventure you don't want to miss! This guide tells you everything you need to know about hiking to Laguna de Quilotoa. Read on.
Things to do in Guayaquil, Ecuador & how to stay safe while doing them in this crime-ridden city. As a solo female traveler, I felt perfectly safe there.
Back to my re-swatch marathon :) These are just some random OPIs! OPI Ski Teal We Drop - The only polish I picked up from the Swiss collecti...
Home of adventure sports, Baños can prove a little costly for budget backpackers. We spent several days exploring the area whilst keeping an eye on the pennies. Here are five awesome things to do in Baños on a budget!
Back to my re-swatch marathon :) These are just some random OPIs! OPI Ski Teal We Drop - The only polish I picked up from the Swiss collection. 2 coats. OPI Ecuadorable Coral - Found this at a dusty last year and LOVE IT. Ooo it's so pretty. It leans more orange than coral on me, though. OPI Green-wich Village - I got this from a blog sale, and don't like it as much as I thought I would. 3 coats.
A day hike in Cajas National Park is one of the best things you can do while visiting UNESCO city Cuenca. Our Cajas National Park travel guide includes tips on how to get there from Cuenca, what to pack, how much things cost, or where to stay - we've got you covered.
Back to my re-swatch marathon :) These are just some random OPIs! OPI Ski Teal We Drop - The only polish I picked up from the Swiss collection. 2 coats. OPI Ecuadorable Coral - Found this at a dusty last year and LOVE IT. Ooo it's so pretty. It leans more orange than coral on me, though. OPI Green-wich Village - I got this from a blog sale, and don't like it as much as I thought I would. 3 coats.
Back to my re-swatch marathon :) These are just some random OPIs! OPI Ski Teal We Drop - The only polish I picked up from the Swiss collecti...
Back to my re-swatch marathon :) These are just some random OPIs! OPI Ski Teal We Drop - The only polish I picked up from the Swiss collecti...
Back to my re-swatch marathon :) These are just some random OPIs! OPI Ski Teal We Drop - The only polish I picked up from the Swiss collecti...
Taking an Ecuador vacation? This Ecuador travel guide has the best things to do and places to visit in Ecuador: cloud forest, Andes, Amazon, Galapagos, beaches, national parks, and more.
Plan the perfect two week Ecuador trip with this adaptable itinerary and a free, printable download.
Unmissable things to do in Ecuador; exciting adventures, exotic wildlife, fascinating cultures and phenomenal scenery
Tips for Hiking Rainbow Mountain in Peru. How to organize a 1 day trip from Cusco, even for non-hikers. How much does it cost, what to bring and photo tips.
Cuenca is the third-largest city in Ecuador, and it is one of the prettiest colonial cities you can visit in this country. If you decide on traveling to the southern part of Ecuador, read our travel guide on the best things to see and do in Cuenca and its close surroundings. Let's discover why Cuenc
High up in the cloud forests is the tiny town of Mindo. Home to butterflies, rare birds, waterfalls and adventure sports, is the perfect antidote to a big city life. In this guide you’ll find the best things to do in Mindo, where to eat, where to stay and how to get there.
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A light and fluffy meringue cream dessert that's a traditional favorite in Ecuador!
20 incredible Galapagos Islands animals and birds with amazing photos of Boobys, owls, sharks, seals, sea lions, iguanas, lizards and crabs.
