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Latest news from Akorn Ecuador
How the rainy season will affect clients heading to the Ecuadorian coast
With 80 degree (F) / 27 degree (C) weather and plenty of sun, the period between December to May is most Ecuadorians' favourite time to visit the beach. Technically, though, this is the rainy season, and the occasional downpours can make our favourite coastal haciendas muddy and difficult to visit. As such, we recommend clients avoid all coastal haciendas and the ecological reserve of Cerro Blanco at least throughout the month of March.
Renovations on tap for Termas de Papallacta
The Termas de Papallacta, one of Ecuador's top spas, will be undergoing environmentally motivated renovations through March, 2012. The thatched roofs previously featured by the hotel and spa proved to be unsustainable, prompting a switch to longer-lasting wood tiles, which will be more dependable and have less environmental impact.
New wine cellar for the J.W. Marriott's La Hacienda Restaurant
With 879 bottles, the brand new wine cellar within La Hacienda promises to make a significant splash in Quito's wine scene. With the new addition, La Hacienda, an excellent Argentine restaurant, will offer diners an excellent and vast selection of top quality wines from around the continent.
Fare changes imminent for all internal flights
We have recently been informed of pending changes in fuel subsidies for internal airfare. The Ecuadorian government has announced that they will be rescinding the fuel subsidy for all internal flights as of January 1, 2012. This includes all flights to/from the Galapagos. Aerogal will be adding a $50 surcharge each way for Galapagos flights from Quito and Guayaquil, which TAME will add $60 each way from Guayaquil and $70 each way from Quito. This surcharge applies regardless of whether flight reservations have already been made or not. Please contact us for more details.
JW Marriott Quito Recognised by TripAdvisor and the Rainforest Alliance
The JW Marriott Hotel in Quito has become the first 5-star hotel in Ecuador to be verified by the Rainforest Alliance. The verification recognises organisations within the tourism industry which have achieved significant and measurable progress in sustainability. In addition, the hotel has received a 4.5 rating out of 5 and a Certificate of Excellence for 2011 from TripAdvisor. The score is derived from client reviews on TripAdvisor.com, giving an excellent firsthand insight into the quality of the hotel.
Cotopaxi Airport Opens to Air Traffic
The new Cotopaxi Airport has opened for business. Located in Latacunga, capital of Cotopaxi Province, the airport will handle both passenger and cargo traffic. Saereo will maintain daily flight (excepting Sundays) to and from Guayaquil, while TAME will be instituting similar service with three 50-passenger aircraft.
Astronomy Museum Opens in Quito's Historic Observatory
Ecuador's first museum of astronomy has opened in the 138 year-old Quito Observatory. The observatory, one of the finest in the world upon its opening, has been completely refurbished to offer space for the museum as well as continuing research. The museum features multiple salons focusing on different elements of astronomy and its history. Touch-screen displays offer both English and Spanish language descriptions.
New Folkloric Dance Show at Quito's La Choza Restaurant
La Choza, one of Quito's top destinations for authentic Ecuadorian food, is now offering a Dinner Show featuring the Jacchigua Folklore Ballet. Every Saturday evening, this incredible dance troupe will perform and demonstrate the traditions and culture of Ecuador. Dinner is served with your choice of delicious typical Ecuadorian dishes.
TAME Resumes Quito to Manta Service
After suspending air service to the coastal city of Manta in 2009, TAME has announced a resumption of flights. Since the end of June, TAME has been offering two daily flights to Manta Mondays through Fridays, with one outgoing flight to Manta on Saturdays and a return flight on Sundays.
ITINERARY IDEAS: Looking for a unique Dive destination – it doesn’t get much better than Galápagos!
Thankfully you don’t need to be an experienced diver to dive in the Galapagos and whilst there are advanced and specialist courses from PADI available in the islands; there is also room for the novice to spend time acquiring the basic PADI qualifications in some of the richest and most unusual waters on earth! Whilst there are a number of dedicated dive vessels available such as the Galapagos Sky, a programme based around day trips from lodges dotted throughout the islands offers the most flexibility for groups with divers and non-divers. If you have clients interested in seeing everything from Iguanas to Moray Ells and from Barracuda to Stingrays don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts to advise you on the best options.
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