Ecuador is a country with vast natural and cultural wealth. The country has four diverse regions which have a hundred of thousands of species of flora and fauna. There are about 1640 species of birds, 4,500 species of butterflies, 345 reptiles, 358 amphibians, and 258 mammals among others. Wildlife lovers will definitely be attracted by the famous Galapagos Islands with its volcanic landscapes. Tourists can see massive tortoises, marine iguanas, doe-eyed sea lions, prancing blue-footed boobies and other unusual species of animals. A lot of white-sand beaches are scattered around cities across the country for tourists to engage in various activities of their choice. National parks which are open for tourists to take part in activities such as mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking amongst others. Tourists visiting the country are sure to enjoy their time with the plethora of activities on offer.
Tourism is one of the most important sectors in the economy of the country. In 2013, a total of 1,366,267 foreigners visited the country. The Ecuadorean government is putting in a lot of effort to ensure that the country receives much more tourists in the years to come.
Any crime relating to the trafficking or use of illegal drugs is greatly frowned at. Studies have shown that over 90 % of foreign prisoners are in jail for drug-related crimes.