When Bethany Pitts was backpacking around the world in 2004, she found the most magical experiences in Ecuador. She'll never forget paddling silently through a jungle lagoon at night in a dug-out canoe, the water's surface covered with lily pads illuminated by fireflies. Returning to Ecuador in 2009, she realized there was nowhere on earth she would rather be and relocated there soon afterwards. She has spent the last decade exploring the country's astonishing diversity. Bethany has worked as a translator, editor and writer, but her true passion is environmental activism. From indigenous defenders, she learned that community-led eco-tourism enables them to protect threatened ecosystems and unique ways of life. This led her to write Moon Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands with a focus on ethical travel. She is passionate about enabling travelers to make informed choices about how their visits can directly benefit Ecuador's unrivaled biodiversity, its warm, welcoming people, and the preservation of their ancestral traditions. Originally from England, Beth lives in a small village on Ecuador's Pacific coast, where she has hummingbirds and passionflowers in her garden.
"""Far from narrow minded, each Moon travel guide gives itinerary options for a variety of travelers' budgets--from frugal to lavish. They make books catering to those who love the outdoors, those who have limited time, those staying exclusively in cities and those who've fully committed to living abroad. In all, they have hundreds of titles, ranging Bermuda to Budapest, that'll teach you to embrace a new culture.""--Gear Patrol, ""The Best Travel Guidebooks for Every Journey"" ""Moon guides are perfect for the relaxed road tripper or outdoor explorer.""--No Small Plan ""Moon handbooks are always a pleasure to read. The writing is crisp, the research impressive, and the recommendations practical and down to earth.""--Chicago Tribune ""Moon handbooks are known for cannily combining logistical information with cultural background of a country or state.""--Los Angeles Times ""Moon handbooks have become known as well-written and exceptionally informative guides.""--The New York Times ""The books are more easily readable than other guides. The main attractions are also marked with a special icon and sidebars and boxes highlight special information, making the Moon handbooks one of the most user-friendly guides in terms of visual appeal and organization...the quality is uniformly excellent.""--Transitions Abroad"