Best and cheapest shopping in the world. Just watch your wallet.

To take pictures of the "Virgin" Panacillo from the front you may stop halfway on the street upwards.
At the statue the park is behind her so you'll see her back or climb down again!

Train to "Nariz del Diablo"
There is a train every Wednesday/Friday/Sunday at 7 am. Tickets available one day in advance from 2.30 pm at the station, costs for one way 11$ per person (2007).
Tickets are numbred - only the cabin's number but not seats! - so you should be waiting early in the morning to get a good seat with windows (there are some without!). Prefer seats on the rightside - there is the view!

The trip starts in Riobamba and after Alausi there comes the most exhilarating part of the journey, said to be one of the most spectacular in the world. The train zigzags up and down 45-degree gradient called "Nariz del Diablo" (Devil’s Nose).
Prepare for derailings and delays!

After landing in Baltra (Airport) you can take the free shuttle to the canal - takes about 5 min.
Cross the canal by ferry (50 cents) and take there a bus to Puerto Ayora - about 45-60 min. (1.80 USD)

The Angelique is highly recommended for 4 or 8 day cruises. Lovely refurbished wooden sailing boat with great food and comfy ensuite cabins.

Banos is the gate from the Andes to the Ecudorian jungle. Unfortunately it's overcrowded with tourists and lots of adventure agencies can be found here. Nevertheless it's worth visiting! Hike up the local hill and enjoy the view over Banos. The best thing to to is to rent some bikes and ride down to Puyo, which can be found on the Amazon basin! From there just put your bike on the roof of a bus and go back. If you like volcanoes, Tungurahua is an active one in the area, although sometimes too active and therefore Banos has to be evacuated...

Beware- the infamous "German/Austrian" backpacker who smells like cigarettes and shakes when he talks and gives this story how his money got stolen can you give him some, is no longer in Belem, Brazil (you can read about him in that section of the guidebooks) we saw him at the bus station in Machala in September 2007, luckily we had already been to Belem and new about him. It was so clear he was the same guy so it seems now he is in Ecuador.

The people of Quito are extremely friendly and accommodating. There are PLENTY of adventure trips leaving for the mountains every hour of the day. Horse back, biking, kayaking, you-name-it! Internet bars are plentiful as are hostels for backpackers.

Ecuadorians use the USD, so conversion is unnecessary. However, Ecuadorians will NOT do business with you if they don't like you.

There's a wonderful art fair in the park every Saturday. Totally worth a stroll.

Unfortunately, the cuisine is less than appetizing for my taste.
It's very beany, ricey, potatoey. The national dish is cui (whole deep fried guinea pig). I'd recommend the Magic Bean for the biggest pancakes you've EVER seen.

Ok i would like to say Quito is a great city wiht amazing people.....

Loved it immensely. Travel a lot to the surrounding areas.