Top 10 Things To Do In Ecuador
Our travel experts give their Top 10 things to do in Ecuador.
The Top 10 things to do in Ecuador are as varied as the country itself. Ecuador offers a breathtaking variety of outdoor adventures, culture, and landscapes within its easily accessed attractions.
Ecuador’s world-famous travel highlights are spectacular. The Galapagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest, the UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital, Quito, and the Avenue of the Volcanoes are more than enough for any visitor.
And that’s before considering Ecuador’s wildlife-rich and verdant cloud forest, its bustlingly authentic Andean markets, incredible hiking, and luxurious and historic haciendas. Oh, and remember that the fantastic coffee, chocolate, and Ecuadorian cuisine will keep you energised throughout your trip.
Here are our current Top 10 things to do in Ecuador.
Visit the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos archipelago is one of the planet’s best-preserved natural sanctuaries. Abundant wildlife lives among dramatic volcanic islands that gifted Charles Darwin his insights into humanity’s evolutionary journey.
On land, giant tortoises, iguanas, and albatrosses and Blue-footed bobbies’ mating dances enchant guests. In the seas, snorkelling with Galapagos penguins, rays, sharks, and playful sea lions are just some of the highlights.
Star attractions include the iconic Bartolomé, swimming with hammerhead sharks at Kicker Rock, hiking Isabela’s Sierra Negra volcano, and snorkelling at Tuneles.
Choose to cruise in style or explore from hotels, with itineraries to suit everyone.
- Galapagos cruises
- Hotel-based Galapagos trips
- Choosing between hotel-based and cruise
- The best Galapagos snorkels
- Day trips from Isabela, San Cristobal, and Santa Cruz
Visit Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest
A third of Ecuador’s land area is Amazon rainforest, lying to the east of the country’s mighty Andean mountains.
Ecuador’s Amazon region is one of the mighty rainforest’s most biodiverse. There are over 300 species of mammals, from jaguars to sloths and armadillos. Harpy eagles, macaws, and parakeets are among the area’s 600 species.
Butterflies (1,000+ species), fish (800+ species), and reptiles (350+ species) call the rainforest home. Notable animals include four species of caiman, freshwater dolphins, many monkeys, and tarantulas.
This extraordinary diversity lives among skyscraper trees, colourful flowers, and beautiful oxbow lakes. Nowhere on Earth can match the immense variety of flora and fauna of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Furthermore, you’ll meet indigenous people at eco-lodges dotted throughout the forests, glimpsing an ancient, traditional, and natural way of life in synchrony with nature.
- Know before you go: An Amazon rainforest guide
- Ecuador’s best Amazon lodges
- Sani Eco-Lodge
- Napo Wildlife Lodge
- Liana Lodge, the perfect Amazon introduction for kids
Wander Quito’s Churches, Museums, and Colonial Magnificence
Ecuador’s capital city, Quito, is a UNESCO-recognised centre bursting with colonial architectural wonders.
Gilded colonial churches like Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, Iglesia Convento de San Francisco, and Catedral Metropolitana are must-sees. They rub shoulders with distinctive art on display at Quito’s art school, La Escuela Quiteña, and the café-lined streets of the Café Cultura area.
Don’t forget the city Museum, Museo de la Ciudad, or the restaurants at Palacio Arzobispal.
The Best Hiking in Ecuador
Ecuador’s dramatic landscapes mean there is a volcano, valley, or forest suitable for every hiker.
Choose from half-day walks through beautiful countryside or test yourself by climbing Chimborazo (6,263m/20,548ft), the furthest point from the Earth’s centre.
The beautifully conical Cotopaxi draws many to its beauty, while the more remote volcanoes, like El Altar, promise solitude and dramatic views. Multi-day treks via historic haciendas are our speciality, from 4-day to 11-day lodge-based hikes.
On journeys along ancient Inca paths, walkers may spot condors, pumas, tapirs, or spectacled bears, and hummingbirds buzz at lower altitudes. Hiking in Ecuador is as surprising as it is rewarding.
Ecuador’s Best Local Markets
Colourful indigenous markets are a highlight of any trip to Ecuador. Unique artisanal gifts make perfect souvenirs, while many markets retain their primary function as a trading place for locals.
Purchases bring many benefits to local families, with bartering interactions often a highlight of a visit.
Some of the best local markets to visit include the daily Otavalo market, Pujili (daily, best on Sunday), and Saquisili (Thursday). Zumbazua (Sat) impresses with locals arriving on llamas and horses.
Luxury at Historical Hacienda Zuleta
One of Ecuador’s most historic haciendas is Zuleta, nestled among the Andes and offering the finest food and activities.
This colonial working farm features 17 rooms, each with its own fireplace. Relax in the reading room, which has hosted many Ecuadorian presidents, or stroll the peaceful gardens.
Homegrown organic vegetables, cheeses, and trout decorate the beautifully presented homemade meals. Burn off the excess on the many hiking trails, on horseback, or trying to spot spectacled bears that live nearby.
The Quilotoa Loop
The Quilotoa Loop offers an instantly Instagrammable emerald-green volcanic lake and incredible Andean mountain views.
Located 110 miles (179km) south of Quito, the Quilotoa Loop is a popular hike into a volcanic crater lake. It also takes in the surrounding mountains, passing quaint villages and stunning views throughout.
Some people kayak in the Quilotoa crater’s lake while others horse ride down to the beautiful waters. There are many lovely places to stay in and around Quilotoa, which sits at a mighty 3,910m/12.830ft above sea level.
The Avenue of the Volcanoes
Ecuador’s 220-mile (350km) Avenue of the Volcanoes is one of the Earth’s finest mountain artworks. Haciendas line the valley and are perfect bases for exploring.
People hike, horse ride, ride bikes, and do much more throughout the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Many mountaineers aim to climb ice-clad peaks like Cotopaxi, Cayambe, and Chimborazo.
Popular trips encompass:
- Pasochoa Volcano and its wonderful day trek
- Tackle Pichincha to help acclimatisation
- Cayambe Volcano is a glacier-covered peak suited to beginners
- Climb the conical volcano of Cotopaxi.
- Summit Chimborazo, the highest volcano of all
Peaks range from 5,000 to 6,263m (16,400 to 20,550ft), so remember to acclimatise to high altitudes before attempting high summits.
- Top Ecuador Volcano Walks
- Climb Ecuador’s Volcanoes
- Ice climb on Cayambe
- Avenue of the Volcanoes Hiking Tour
Cloud Forests of Ecuador
Ecuador’s rare and beautiful cloud forests cloak the country’s Andean slopes between 900 and 2,500m (2,950-8,200ft).
Such varied terrain has created many different types of cloud forests, from the Chocó Andino to Intag to Mindo-Nambillo. Each boasts a unique ecosystem and rich flora and fauna to delight the curious to expert birders.
Orchids, humming birds, monkeys, and bears are a few of the highlights in these woodlands, with many species under threat of extinction.
Eco-lodges dotted throughout Ecuador’s cloud forests bring people close to the wildlife action in these protected havens, including upmarket options like Mashpi.
The Fine Foods of Ecuador
Ecuador’s cuisine reflects its diverse landscapes and people. The ocean, rainforest, valleys, and mountains provide incredible ingredients. Expert chefs then fuse Andean, Spanish, and African-Ecuadorian recipes to produce some of the tastiest food on the planet.
Highlights include:
- Ceviche: a spicy raw fish dish marinated in citrus juices, onions and spicy pepper.
- Llapingachos: Fried potato patties stuffed with cheese.
- Hornado: Baked pork with a delicious crispy skin.
- Encebollado: Ecuador’s national dish. Fresh tuna, yuca, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro soup are spiced and served with pickled onions and tomatoes.
- Humitas: Ground corn, onions, and pork (or other regional variations) are steamed in corn husks.
- Canelazo: A hot, spiced rum drink.
The Top 10 things to do in Ecuador
These are our Top 10 things to do in Ecuador. Remember, there are many more wonderful experiences awaiting, from rafting to biking or boosting your wellness at a relaxing spa.
