Ecuador Honeymoon Ideas
Are you a nature lover, adventure seeker and culture enthusiast looking for that special honeymoon? Well, Ecuador might just fit the bill.
Sitting on the Equator in South America, this small country offers incredible diversity from the spectacular scenery of the mountains and volcanoes of the Andes to the rugged Pacific coast, from the unique bio diversity of the Amazon Jungle to the Galapagos Islands.
Amazing nature is underpinned by the cultural heritage mix of the indigenous peoples and the European settlers and an infrastructure catering to the most adventurous as well as those seeking every creature comfort.
Cities, culture and comfort
Quito
Ecuador’s capital city, and the world’s highest at 2,850 metres (9,350 feet) above sea level is normally the first port of call. A bustling colourful city whose colonial center, markets, squares and hills are just waiting to be explored.
Take your time, acclimatize and start your honeymoon in the comfort, opulence and romantic setting of a restored colonial mansion. Amongst those are Casa Gangotena, Plaza Grande and the Illa Experience.
Baños
Gateway to the jungle and adventure centre of its own, is a quaint town surrounded by lush nature. Explore the city on foot or be more adventurous.
Nearby there are options for rafting, walking, biking, canyoning and much more. Base yourself at the Luna Volcan Hotel perched on top of the hills overlooking the city. Perfect for a romantic interlude. Bathing in the pool perched on the hillside with incredible views of the valley and city below at sunset will be an extra special memory.
Cuenca
Andean Trails recommends: Alan’s honeymoon choice is the city of Cuenca. He says: “This is a beautiful UNESCO World heritage city located in Ecuador’s Southern Andes. A city of charm to be walked.
The flower market next to the blue domed cathedral is a good place to start and then continue with the colourful markets and some of the many museums such as the Municipal Modern Art Museum Finish with a Panama Hat Factory. Spoil yourself and your partner with a stay at the elegant colonial Mansion Alcazar Hotel.”
Haciendas and country style
Ecuador’s mountainous spine, the Andes Mountains, with its valleys, soaring peaks and snow covered volcanoes, offers the perfect setting for that romantic interlude.
Some places to consider are:
Termas de Papallacta: Spa where you can get away from it all and enjoy nature’s beauty at the entrance to the Cayambe Coca Natural reserve and pamper yourself in the natural hot springs.
Hacienda San Agustin de Callo: This colonial hacienda is a 75 minute drive south of Quito and was built on the site of an ancient Inca temple or palace. During the day trek, horse ride or mountain bike and in the evening relax and enjoy the personalized service that comes with one of the 7 rooms.
Polylepis Lodge: Go off the beaten path at this lodge located in the buffer zone of the Angel Ecological reserve, a 4 hour drive north of Quito. Explore waterfalls and trails as well as the only remaining millenial Polylepis forest of volcanic and glacial origin. Return to the lodge for comfort and snuggling up at the fireplace.
Hacienda El Porvenir: In the foothills around the Cotopaxi Volcano. Stunning location, stunning place for a stunning time. Options are available to explore Cotopaxi National park or for the very adventurous, add some mountaineering to your honeymoon.
Andean Trails recommends: Hacienda Zuleta. This is Tom’s choice. He says: “This historic hacienda has some lovely suite rooms, great food and the feeling you are staying somewhere extra special. You can be as active or indulgent as you wish. The nearby cloud forest is home to spectacled bears and is made for lovely hikes. There hacienda itself has a lot of cozy nooks and crannies where you can enjoy a drink, read a book in front of a real fire or simply enjoy such sumptuous surroundings.”
Jungle, Cloud Forest and Wildlife
Ecuador offers wildlife enthusiasts great opportunities to see nature at its finest with opportunities in the Amazon Jungle, Cloud Forest or Galapagos Islands.
In fact, the Galapagos Islands have so much to offer honeymooners that there is a separate blog.
The Amazon Jungle is an experience where nature will play with you. The thick canopy of vegetation means that the wildlife is fleeting, hidden and surprising. The sounds of the jungle are a symphony and the sightings of monkeys or brightly coloured parrots flying overhead are a joy.
Fine lodges from where to experience the Amazon, typically on a 5 day/4 night all inclusive package from Quito all year round will give the honeymoon that extra special experience.
This can be done in comfort from Lodges such as La Selva Lodge offering luxury and a spa in the jungle. Maybe a suite in the jungle at the Napo Wildlife Center might be the best place to cuddle up on your honey moon after a day exploring the forest trails, paddling in canoes and visiting the incredible parrot clay licks.
A luxury Amazon river boat for a 5 day cruise might be honeymoon heaven. The Manatee Amazon Explorer with its 14 suites, 4 of which are 23m2 with whirlpool baths and private balconies will give your jungle honeymoon that extra special touch. 4, 5 or 8 day cruises are on offer.
The cloud forest a couple of hours north of Quito is that getaway into the hills in the clouds and where the amazing birdlife, particularly the humming birds will astonish and delight. Those seeking the extra luxurious touch will not go wrong with a stay at the Mashpi Lodge with its contemporary architecture letting it blend in to its natural environment.
Those looking for a more down to earth and rustic experience might opt for a superior room at the Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge.
Honeymoon Trek
Are you a keen trekker and looking for a magical honeymoon doing what you love best?
Andean Trails recommends: Kathy has no doubt in suggesting the 4 day Ecuador Lodge to Lodge Cotopaxi Hike as part of that honeymoon. She says: “all accommodation is lovely with spacious en-suite rooms and good food. Two of the lodges have a spa with jacuzzi and massage available. They all have open fires where you can enjoy a cosy evening supping wine and relaxing after a good day of walking. You are way off the beaten track. You walk through a range of eco-systems, starting in the cloud forest with plenty of tropical bird life like humming birds and tanagers. You trek gently upwards through remote mountain paths into superb high altitude scenery with wildlife such as Andean condors, black chested buzzard eagles, wild horses, and Andean foxes. This is the ideal treks to enjoy the vast open spaces of the Ecuadorean paramos and ascend Ruminahui peak, one of the iconic summits in Cotopaxi national park.”
Plan your honeymoon
So, if you are starting to think about where to go on honeymoon then do consider magical Ecuador.
