Relaxing vacations are considered differently by everyone, but no matter how you define it, having a plan before you leave home will avoid many pitfalls.  Determining what you’d like to see and what types of activities you want to do in Ecuador will help decide what cities you should visit, in addition to the climate you should expect to encounter.

You first need to examine the reasons for your trip.  If you have an explorative personality and want new experiences, your vacation will look very different than a sun goddess’s idea of getting away.  If you hate extreme temperatures, or have a favorite climate or season, this fact may limit your travel choices and help you determine your destination city.  Ecuador boasts many climates, as the higher altitudes of cities like Quinto are cooler and milder than lower locations like Salinas.  Research as much as possible before you leave; it’s always hard to relax when you’re not aware you should have packed a jacket instead of a bikini!

Decide what you would like to do while away from home.  Do you want to learn something new, or visit a historical landmark?  Quinto boasts many national parks and museums for this purpose.  If you want to relax on the beach instead, you probably want to splurge on a five-star hotel or resort in Playas or Salinas.  You can easily find one online at sites such as HotelsCombined.com.  If you’re an outdoorsman, landscape and wildlife are probably more important factors to you.  Consider visiting the Galapagos Islands, where unique wildlife and ocean creatures give you a perfect opportunity for hiking and snorkeling.

Don’t pack your itinerary so tightly that you begin to feel haggard and sleep-deprived.  Plan to do nothing in between the museums or day trips you plan in order to reenergize.  Booking a massage or spa treatment, reading a book, and taking a nap or sleeping late will help you feel renewed.  Another stressor tends to be monetary worries.  Make sure you have accounted for every possible cost involved, then account for more.  Unexpected taxi cab trips and lost or stolen luggage will take you by surprise if you’re not prepared!

Learn about the history, language, and customs of Ecuador.  Trying to learn a few new phrases in Spanish is always appreciated by the locals, and you’ll have new information to pass to your friends when you return home.  Create a personal connection with the area by learning a new piece of local history at Quinto’s Historical Centre, or how to make a signature dish on Salinas’s coastline.  Each time you use your new skill at home, it will serve as a relaxing reminder of your stress-free travels in Ecuador!