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Although a small country, Ecuador boasts a wide array of geographic and cultural diversity, including a variety of indigenous groups with distinctive cultures and languages. From snow-capped volcanoes and rainforests to tropical shorelines, Ecuador has varying landscapes and climates, making it wonderful for gay destinations or exciting adventures a great idea any time of the year.
Perhaps best known for the Galapagos Islands, the mainland is also home to many attractions and sightseeing opportunities that make gay travel to Ecuador well worth the trip. Whether you are in search of a spiritual retreat, an outdoors adventure or gay travel that includes getting to know the LGBT community in Quito, exploring the rainforest and lounging on the beach, you are sure to discover the many reasons that Ecuador is such a popular travel destination year after year as soon as you step off the plane.
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.
Since the late 1990s, legal rights have expanded in Ecuador with protections that make a gay vacation to this beautiful country safer and more enjoyable. However, discretion in public is still a good idea in many places, particularly due to the high level of machismo the still permeates the culture. Those who are considering gay vacations to Ecuador may want to take advantage of pre-arranged gay tours, which allow for a higher level of security and a focus on fun, while travel professionals manage logistical aspects of the voyage and ensure that you will not miss out on some of the most appealing cultural, historic and natural attractions that Ecuador has to offer.
This will allow you to relax and get the most out of your journey, while professional travel organizers take care of the logistics and ensure that you will have the chance to experience the many historic, cultural and natural attractions that Ecuador offers.
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