This little-known country in South America makes for a very adventurous (and affordable) honeymoon. Its main draw is the Galapagos Islands, a stunningly remote volcanic island chain in the Pacific Ocean where animals outnumber humans. Most people take a weeklong cruise to explore the islands, but be sure to spend a few days discovering the colonial charms of Quito, the capital city, as well as the Amazon River basin.
Wedding Requirements To get married in Ecuador, you will need a valid U.S. passport, as well as an Ecuadorian visa and an affidavit of marriage. The process can require some legwork, and with the language barrier (for those who don’t speak Spanish), it’s best to hire a local wedding coordinator to assist in the planning. For more details, see ecuador.travel.
Things to Do
Quito In addition to an awe-inspiring location high in the Andes, the city boasts attractive Old Town, complete with narrow cobbled streets, historic plazas and gilded churches. Start off in Independence Plaza, anchored by the Spanish-Moorish-style Government Palace on the western end and City Hall on the eastern end. Other attractions include the 16th-century Cathedral of Quito and the nearby Casa Museo Maria Augusta Urrutia, a restored 19th-century Spanish-style mansion with a peaceful courtyard and a collection of art by Ecuadorian painter Victor Hideros.
Dining Quito has a surprisingly good dining scene. Join fashionable locals at Theatrum, housed on the second floor of the National Theater, in the heart of Old Town, to dine on dishes such as Ecuadorian prawns with avocado mousse and grilled grouper with artichoke ragout. Dress to impress at Mea Culpa, an elegant restaurant with beautifully presented seafood and tapas dishes — ask for a table overlooking Independence Plaza. Sushi fans should be sure to make reservations at Sake, where the sushi and sashimi are first-rate, as is the namesake libation.
Galapagos Islands Naturalist Charles Darwin visited in 1835, and the islands are still (relatively) unspoiled today. Fast-food chains, neon lights and paved roads are non-existent; rather, you’ll find an abundance of exotic wildlife. To get there, fly from Quito to Baltra, and take a cruise to Bartolome and Fernandina islands. During the day, hike or snorkel to spot sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and all manner of birds, from albatrosses to blue-footed boobies to bright-pink flamingos; at night, dine on gourmet fare, sip wine and stargaze on deck. Don’t be surprised if the captain summons you from your cabin at dawn to see a pod of dolphins — how’s that for a wake-up call?
Off the Beaten Path There are several ways to explore the Amazon basin in eastern Ecuador. Eco-tourism companies such as Surtrek can arrange jungle-lodge stays in Cuyabeno National Park, home to monkeys, tapirs and 580 species of birds. Or opt for a riverboat cruise along tributaries of the mighty Amazon River, where you’ll meet indigenous Quichua tribespeople in the rainforest. — Jill Fergus
