Top 8 Books about Ecuador

1. Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

by Danny Palmerlee, Carolyn McCarthy, and Michael Grosberg - Climb the snow-capped peak of Volcán Chimborazo, the most distant point from the center of the Earth. Get up close and personal with capuchin monkeys in the central plaza of Misahuallí. Step back in time at Ingapirca, Ecuador's finest example of Inca architecture. Take in the surf scene on the south coast. Sophisticated cities, glaciated volcanoes, the lush Amazon Basin - our inimitable guide gives you access to all the treasures of exotic Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands.

2. Footprint Ecuador and Galapagos (English)

Husband-and-wife team Robert and Daisy Kunstaetter bring a combined total of 40 years of living and traveling in Latin America to their coverage of this tiny equatorial nation, leading readers on excursions both on and off the "banana pancake trail," including Quito, the jungle, the Pacific Coast, the national parks, and volcanoes. Footprint Ecuador and Galapagos also includes full coverage of the islands that inspired the theory of evolution, from the legendary "center of the earth" to the Avenue of Volcanoes.

3. Ecuador Map

Laminated road and travel maps with city plans.

4. Climbing and Hiking in Ecuador

By Rob Rachowiecki, Betsy Wagenhauser Guide to some off-the-beaten-track hikes, but reader will need to check trail status and consult other maps.

6. Culture Shock!: Ecuador

By Nicholas B. Crowder History, geography, economy, class structure, social and business customs, festivals, food, arts and language described for the travler to Ecuador.

7. The Native Leisure Class: Consumption and Cultural Creativity

By Rudi Colloredo-Mansfeld, Rudolf Joseph Colloredo-Mansfeld Anthropological view of the success of the Otavaleno Indians in marketing their weaving and maintaining their traditions.

8. A Traveler's Guide to the Galapagos Islands (Non-Series Guidebooks) 4th Edition

by Barry Boyce (Author) - "Barry's book is objective, comprehensive and as up to date as a printed guide can be given that boats are launched and agencies change hands, and includes detailed information on the tour operators, their specializations (e.g. birding, diving, etc.) and even the individual boats. The book reveals why you can not do the Galápagos justice with a land-based trip, nor in most cases (depending on your trip goals) with a large cruise ship." Reviewer's comment.