www.ecuadors.org

[worldtraveler]

I have not seen much info on this thread about Ecuador (other than Galapagos, which are sort of out of my budget at this time)

Does anyone have any suggestions about places worth visiting around Guayaquil? (other than the River waterfront boardwalk thing)

Also...is it possible to visit Cotopaxi on a full daytrip from Quito?

Any companies you may suggest who do tours in the Quito area?

I was thinking about doing downtown Quito on my own (and also check out the Mitad del Mundo/ 0 degrees equator spot)

again...any suggestions would be appreciated. (any info about Guayaquil or Quito you'd like to share)

[sullivan]

Oh yes, you can visit the Cotopaxi National Park in a day from Quito, and see the volcano itself, and walk up to the refuge if you want. If you actually want to climb to the summit you need a guide and to stay overnight.

By downtown, do you mean the colonial centre of Quito? Yes you can do this alone. The trolleybus is one easy means of transport. The Museo del Banco Central is often recommended, as well as the Basilica and the church and square of San Francisco.

To get to the Equator, there are lots of buses going north along, for example, avenida Americas. Check that they say Mitad del Mundo and hop on.