This lowland city is near the home of the Colorado Amerindians. These native people get their name from their unique appearance: They rub red dye on their skin and hair (
colorado means colored red). The native dress is also unusual, but seldom worn. They "dress up" for tourists, but otherwise wear unremarkable—that is, Western—clothing. To visit them, hire a taxi from Santo Domingo. Birders will also find the region particularly attractive: It is home to nearly 400 species, including the aracari, blue-tailed trogon, Esmeraldas antbird and Guayaquil woodpecker.
Santo Domingo can be visited on a
very long day trip from Quito, but it's better to spend a night. (Bear in mind that the road from Quito can be impassable during the rainy season.) The town's hotels are not especially appealing, but there are haciendas in the region that are good bases for birding.
50 mi/80 km west of Quito.