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San José Province, Costa Rica
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Quito, Ecuador
Start in Quito’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Walk a short loop:
* Plaza Grande (Independence Square)
Colonial civic core — Presidential Palace, Archbishop’s Palace, and Cathedral. Good for understanding how Spanish colonial power was spatially organised.
* La Compañía de Jesús
This is the standout. One of the most richly decorated Baroque churches in South America — gold-leaf interiors everywhere. Very intense but incredible craftsmanship.
* San Francisco Church & plaza
Huge monastery complex + plaza that shows layered colonial development over centuries.
👉 Focus here: façades, courtyards, and how religious buildings dominate urban form.
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craft + souvenirs:
* Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal
Better for textiles, crafts, and Ecuadorian design objects.
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Lunch — simple local food
In the Old Town or La Mariscal area:
* try locro de papa (potato soup with cheese/avocado)
* or hornado (slow-roasted pork)
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Afternoon — Views + modern contrast
* Take a taxi or cable car to TelefériQo Quito
This gives you a huge spatial understanding of Quito’s geography — long thin city in a valley surrounded by volcanoes.
If you prefer architecture instead of altitude:
* walk parts of the New Town (La Mariscal / Avenida Amazonas)
More 20th-century development, international-style buildings, embassies, and cultural mix.
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Optional late stop (if energy)
* La Ronda Street (Calle La Ronda)
Restored colonial street with small workshops, chocolate, and crafts. More atmospheric in the evening.
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Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos Islands
$200 each in CASH for entrance !!!!! CASH
Santa Cruz – activities
* North Seymour snorkelling: Boat trip with blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, sea lions and reef snorkelling.
* Bartolomé Island tour: Iconic volcanic views plus penguins and snorkelling with turtles and reef sharks.
* Santa Fe Island trip: Calm turquoise snorkelling with sea lions and large schools of fish.
* Tortuga Bay (shore): White-sand beach walk with marine iguanas and sometimes reef sharks in shallow water.
* Highlands tortoise reserve: Walk among wild Galápagos giant tortoise in natural lava landscapes.
🐢 Santa Cruz – wildlife
* Galápagos giant tortoises: Found in the wild highlands, especially around moist forest areas.
* Marine iguanas: Common along rocky coasts, often basking in large groups.
* Sea lions: Very common around Puerto Ayora docks and beaches.
* Blue-footed boobies: Seen on nearby islands like North Seymour during nesting displays.
* Frigatebirds: Often seen soaring overhead and displaying red throat pouches.
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Isabela Island, Galápagos Islands
🌋 Isabela – activities
* Los Túneles snorkelling: Calm lava tunnels with turtles, sharks, seahorses and rays.
* Las Tintoreras tour: Short boat trip with reef sharks, penguins and iguanas in clear waters.
* Sierra Negra volcano hike: Walk across one of the world’s largest volcanic craters.
* Concha de Perla snorkelling: Easy shore snorkel with sea lions and turtles.
* Flamingo lagoons: Wildlife viewing around saltwater lagoons near town.
🐢 Isabela – wildlife
* Sea turtles: Very common in shallow lagoons and snorkelling sites.
* Penguins: Rare Galápagos penguins often seen around rocky coasts and Tintoreras.
* Reef sharks: Frequently spotted resting in lava channels and snorkel areas.
* Marine iguanas: Dense colonies along Isabela’s volcanic shores.
* Flamingos: Seen in brackish lagoons near Puerto Villamil.
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San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos Islands
🐬 San Cristóbal – activities
* Kicker Rock snorkelling: Swim in a volcanic channel with sharks, rays, turtles and huge fish schools.
* 360° Island tour: Full-day boat circuit with multiple snorkel stops and coastal wildlife viewing.
* La Lobería snorkelling: Easy shore snorkel with sea lions right off the beach.
* Punta Carola / Tijeretas: Calm snorkelling spots plus coastal walks and viewpoints.
* Playa Mann: Relaxed beach with sea lions and occasional snorkelling close to shore.
🐢 San Cristóbal – wildlife
* Sea lions: Extremely abundant, often sleeping on beaches and swimming alongside you.
* Sharks & rays: Reef sharks and eagle rays commonly seen on snorkel trips like Kicker Rock.
* Sea turtles: Frequently spotted while snorkelling around bays and offshore sites.
* Frigatebirds: Constantly overhead, especially males with red inflated throat pouches.
* Blue-footed boobies: Seen along cliffs and rocky shores, especially during nesting season.
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Quito, Ecuador
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Cotopaxi, Ecuador
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Quito, Ecuador
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Madrid, Spain