Reviewed on Jan 15, 2021
Reviewed on Feb 20, 2019
Named for its location along the equator, Ecuador is one of the hottest places in the world-and that's not just because of the temperature. Its hot climate welcomes travelers from around the globe to enjoy its vibrant cities, gorgeous terrain, incredible outdoor sports attractions and the Galapagos Islands, one of the most mysterious, bio-diverse places on the planet. So dig in. It's time to enjoy your Ecuador travel.
Spend your evening at Turtle’s Head Bar in Quito, where delicious German beer and sausages blend well over games of pool.
Dance the night away at Quito’s El Aguijon music and dance bar, which regularly plays salsa, reggae, and ska.
Dine at the celebrated Mea Culpa Restaurant in Ecuador’s capital, Quito, serving delicious stone crab and boasting a great view of the plaza.
Stay at the unique El Rancho, an indigenous family-run home outside Otavalo with a view of the Cotacachi volcano and freshly prepared traditional food from the garden.
Visit Used Books in Cuenca, a delightful used book shop carrying English-language literature.
Visit the small Andean town of Mindo, where visitors can stroll through orchid and hummingbird gardens, taste fresh artisan-brewed beer, and join the Tours de Fotographia for a photographic tour of the surrounding cloud forest.
Climb the challenging 20,500-foot Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest mountain.
Explore the grounds of Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, including the Ethnographic Museum, Quitsato Sundial, and Intiñan Solar Museum.
Bathe in Baños’ famous mineral hot springs located in the Ecuadorian Andes.
Ecuador vacations should feature trips to the Galapagos Islands, home to marine iguanas as well as sea lions and tortoises.
Journey to the Jatun Yacu River outside the town of Otavalo and marvel at the breathtaking Peguche Waterfall.
Rent a mountain bike, hike mountains, or take a 3-day-trip on horseback through Las Palmas forest reserve in the peaceful town of Vilcabamba
Enjoy kayaking, rafting, and canopy climbing in the one-of-a-kind jungle town of Puyo.
Discover Ecuador’s lush foliage at Quito’s Botanical Gardens, boasting a myriad of tropical orchids, bromeliad, and simulated cloud-forest ecosystems.
Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands and marveled at the rich diversity of its flora and fauna. Sitting about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, travel to the Galapagos can be done via boat or plane. There are 19 main islands, made up of volcanic rock and playing home to dozens of native animals, plants, reptiles and bird life. Vist Española to see the Waved Albatross. Fly into San Cristobal Island from the mainland and see varied species including sea lions, giant tortoises, red-footed boobies, dolphins and iguanas. You can take a cruise or catamaran to the islands, but plan on spending many days exploring this diverse, beautiful place.
Capital Quito is situated high in the mountains, with incredible views of the snow-capped Andes towering around the city. Quito is a colonial city that holds on to its past while bursting forward into the future. Look out for the statue of the Virgin Mary sitting high atop El Panecillo; roam Parque Metropolitano Guanguiltagua, the largest urban park on the continent; stop by the Quito Observatory in the center of La Alameda; stroll Calle de la Ronda in the Old Town. Be sure to visit Plaza de la Independencia, an area rich with culture, history and religion. Travel to Ecuador would be incomplete with a trip to Guayaquil, its largest city. A seaport with an active volcano, it boasts a Caribbean feel where island music and seafood are bountiful.
