◀ REGRESAR

96.364 domestic and foreign tourists visited protected areas on holidays

The four regions of the country received visitors who came to enjoy nature during the three days of rest.

Ecuador has 50 state protected areas that are available to the public free of charge except for the Galapagos Park and Marine Reserve.

The holiday decreed by the Independence Day of Ecuador gathered this year around 96,364 domestic and foreign tourists on the protected areas.

The records of the Ministry of Environment showed that most visitors chose the Coast region to enjoy with family or friends on holidays. 14,555 people visited Puntilla Santa Elena Marien Reserve, while 9,529 attended Santay National Recreation Area.

Those who did not have the chance to go to the beach visited the protected areas of the Sierra region where besides enjoying the unique landscapes in the region could see spectacular snowcapped mountains, flora and fauna typical of cold weater, as curiquingues, wolves, and the luckiest ones including spectacled bears and condors. This is the case of Cotopaxi National Park, which in this holiday held one of the preferred places of visitation, because it received 8,306 tourists, while Ilinizas Ecological Reserve received 7,115 visitors.

All protected areas of Ecuador, except Galapagos, are open to the public 365 days a year for free. The Ministry of Environment constantly works to improve infrastructure, security and capabilities of the rangers who are the custodians of natural resources and provide the rules that visitors must follow to make your visit as satisfactory and memorable.