Ecuador is a small coastal country that offers travelers a full monty of outdoor adventures from the Amazon jungle to gorgeous beaches, the mystical Andes Mountains &  the beautiful Galapagos Islands. 1. No Currency Exchange No need to spend your time figuring out exchange rates because Ecuador has been using the U.S. Dollar as currency since 2000 when it retired the Sucre. In addition, prices are lower, so you get a lot for your buck. 2. Short Flights within The Americas If you live in Miami or the southern US, a trip to Ecuador can actually be a weekend getaway; a one-way flight to the capital city of Quito takes only four hours. In the Fall, the country's largest airline, Tame, also introduced a nonstop flight from New York to Guayaquil (Ecuador's largest city) that takes about six hours. 3. Good weather all year round Ever heard of an endless spring? Since the country sits on the equator, mainland Ecuador stays at an average of about 66°F, pretty much all the time. Also, temps and weather conditions vary by region/geography, so no matter the month, you'll always be visiting a section of Ecuador at the perfect time. QUITO WEATHER   4. Beaches and whale watching season With 530 miles of coastline, it's no surprise that Ecuador boasts some beautiful beaches. Coastal towns to visit include the popular Salinas, Salango for snorkeling/scuba diving, Atacames, and Montañita to get your party on, Puerto Lopez you can visit the Isla de la Plata, and if you are in the months of July, August and September you can see the Humpback whales and the Galapagos Islands, of course. For smaller beach towns, there's Montañita, a surfer hippie escape with open-air cafes and bars that stay open until dawn.   5. Mountains & Volcanos