Ecuador’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites to Visit
Ecuador is abundant with interesting points that can sway visitors to try the tourism industry of the country, starting with the Latin American country being home to the Galapagos Island, which is considered to be one of the world’s most traveled destinations for wildlife viewing. RODRIGO BUENDIA/Afp/AFP via Getty Images

Ecuador, which has vast cultural and natural wealth, boasts of being a nation with the first UNESCO World Heritage site. The country's rich wildlife and beautiful landscapes make it a great tourist destination.

The Galapagos Island, considered one of the world's most traveled destinations for wildlife viewing, is situated off the coast of Ecuador.

Ecuador is smaller as compared to its neighboring countries, Peru and Colombia. But it has a rich history and diverse culture, with world-famous landscapes and tourist destinations. It also has plenty of volcanoes and mountains.

Famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ecuador

The first UNESCO World Heritage site was Ecuador's Galapagos Island, which has one of the richest marine ecosystems globally.

Ecuador has a total of five sites inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Three of its inscribed properties on the list were "cultural," while the remaining two were in the "natural" category.

Some sites are on the tentative list, meaning those properties are for consideration for nomination. In the meantime, let's take a look at some of the famous UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ecuador that you can add to your 2023 travel bucket list.

City of Quito

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on top of the Inca city ruins. Colonizers then built structure and their architecture in the topographical environment.

Quito then witnessed pre-Colombian cultures and the arrival of Spanish colonizers. UNESCO noted that the Ecuadorian city creates harmonious sui generis, wherein actions of man and nature are infused together.

Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca

The historic town showcases the characteristics of being an inland colonial town. It was founded in 1557 by Spanish colonizers on a green-field site. It is in Cuenca town, which is entrenched in a valley with four rivers, namely Tomebamba, Yanuncay, Tarqui, and Machangara.

The Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca houses the Old Cathedral and Carmelite Monastery. The UNESCO World Heritage site also features the Santo Domingo Church.

Qhapaq Nan - Andean Road System

This UNESCO heritage site is considered to be an extensive Inca communication, trade, and defense extending to 30,000 kilometers.

It was selected to emphasize the social, political, architectural, and engineering feats of the network while also showing the important processes of exchange of goods, communication, and cultural traditions within the cultural area of the empire of the Inca civilization.

The Qhapaq Nan impresses people with its road stretching to some of the world's most extreme geographical terrains.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites - From UNESCO