The 19 Most Beautiful Things to Do in Ecuador

Orientation: Ecuador Attractions on a Map

On this map we’ve marked all of our highlights in Ecuador so you can get a first overview of the country.

Nature Highlights in Ecuador

Ecuador is above all a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. If you’re a true nature lover, Ecuador will absolutely deliver.

Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands were formed by volcanoes and have an incredible variety of plant and animal life. The islands are the absolute highlight of any trip to Ecuador.
The archipelago sits in the middle of the Pacific and consists of about 100 islands, only five of which are inhabited.

The real standout of the Galápagos is the sheer abundance of wildlife: giant tortoises, penguins, albatrosses, sea lions, and so much more. But the islands also offer fantastic beaches like Tortuga Bay and Gardner Bay.

Note: A vacation on the Galápagos Islands doesn’t come cheap. Round-trip flights from Guayaquil start at around $300, and the national park entrance fee is $200. Activities on the Galápagos are also quite pricey.

Our Hotel Recommendation for the Galápagos Islands

The town of Puerto Ayora on the main island of Santa Cruz is a great base for day trips. The Hotel Galapagos Suites B&B is a beautiful place to stay with a delicious breakfast.

Amazon Region

The eastern part of Ecuador is known as the Oriente and is part of the Amazon region. Here you can go on some seriously cool jungle tours.

The most popular spot for an Amazon excursion is Cuyabeno — the nature reserve is easy to reach from Quito and a variety of tours are available. A great alternative is Yasuní National Park.

Getting to know life in the Amazon is definitely an adventure. On the tours you travel through the rainforest by canoe, go on hiking excursions, discover exotic wildlife, and spend the night in cool jungle lodges.

Many Amazon tours are offered in Quito. It’s best to book them through your accommodation or at a local travel agency.

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is Ecuador’s most famous volcano, and the sight of it is simply spectacular.

You can actually visit Cotopaxi too. For the adventurous, climbing the 19,347-foot summit is an especially unforgettable experience — the view from the top is surreal. The volcano is also the second-highest peak in Ecuador.

If the hike feels too challenging, you can also just walk up to the refuge halfway and admire the volcano from below. Various tours to Cotopaxi are offered from Quito.

To the Cotopaxi Tour to the Refuge from Quito
Note: Cotopaxi is a very active volcano and warnings are issued regularly. The summit hike is therefore often not possible. Check in advance if that’s something you want to do.

Laguna Quilotoa

Another natural wonder in Ecuador is Laguna Quilotoa. It sits inside a crater about 93 miles south of Quito and makes for an incredibly cool photo subject.

You can hike all the way around the crater — the trail stretches 6 miles up and down. If you’re a hiking fan, you’ll love it; the scenery is fantastic. Alternatively, you can walk down from the village of Quilotoa, which sits right on the crater rim, to the lagoon. That’s a bit less strenuous.

A popular option for reaching Laguna Quilotoa is a three-day hike starting from the town of Sigchos. You make your way up to the lagoon day by day. The stages are about 6 miles long each, and you spend the nights in the villages of Isinlivi and Chugchilán, finishing in Quilotoa.

But don’t worry — if that’s not your thing, buses run from Latacunga directly to Quilotoa village.

Our Hotel Recommendation for Quilotoa

In Quilotoa village you’ll find Runa Wasi Quilotoa. It offers great value for money, and breakfast and dinner are included.

Laguna Cuicocha

Like Laguna Quilotoa, Laguna Cuicocha is a crater lake. It’s located north of Quito, near the town of Otavalo.

A 7.5-mile loop trail runs around the crater with a ton of great viewpoints along the way. If that feels like too much, you can simply walk a short stretch along the rim.

There are no accommodations right at the lagoon. Your best bet is to stay in Otavalo. Alternatively, day tours from Quito to Laguna Cuicocha are available that also include a stop in Otavalo.

To the guided tour of Laguna Cuicocha and Otavalo

Cloud Forest in Mindo

The cloud forest of Mindo lies west of Quito and is a genuine highlight, especially for nature lovers. Everything glows in a beautiful shade of green, the landscape is laced with rivers, and you can discover waterfalls and an incredible variety of wildlife.

A real standout is the butterfly garden, which is home to a huge number of species. Admission is $7.50.

To the day tour to the Mindo Cloud Forest from Quito

Our Hotel Recommendation for Mindo

It’s worth spending at least one night in Mindo, as there are some really cool nature lodges. Our pick is the Terrabambu Lodge. The setting right in the middle of nature is a dream, and so is the large outdoor pool.

Nariz del Diablo

Nariz del Diablo means Devil’s Nose and refers to a rock outcropping near the town of Alausí. It juts into a canyon along the Río Chanchán, and a breathtaking railway line runs right past it.

The train ride is pure spectacle — the route runs from Alausí to Sibambe, and looking out the window at certain points, you’re staring straight down into an abyss.

The train departs daily at 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 2:00 PM, and the round trip takes 2.5 hours.

You can buy tickets online at the Ticket Exito website.

Chimborazo

At 20,564 feet, Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador, yet it doesn’t get quite as much attention as Cotopaxi — which is a shame, because it’s actually the point on Earth closest to the sun.

Even though it’s considerably lower than Mount Everest when measured from sea level, the volcano’s proximity to the equator makes it the farthest point from the Earth’s center anywhere on the planet.

Several tours into Chimborazo National Park are available, including cycling tours. We were a bit adventurous and actually hiked all the way to the summit — we wrote up our experience in a trip report.

Cities in Ecuador

Amid all that breathtaking nature, Ecuador also has a few truly beautiful cities to offer. Here are our four favorite cities in the country.

Quito

Quito is the capital of Ecuador and usually the first stop on a road trip through the country. It sits at roughly 9,200 feet above sea level and just about 15 miles from the equator.

With its many churches and colonial-style historic center, Quito is definitely worth a visit. We think it has the most beautiful old quarter of any capital city in South America. For a great panorama over Quito, head to the Virgen del Panecillo viewpoint.

Our Hotel Recommendation for Quito

The Friends Hotel & Rooftop is located right in the heart of Quito’s historic district. The views are fantastic, the rooms very cozy, and the breakfast delicious.

Cuenca

Architecturally speaking, Cuenca is our favorite city in Ecuador. The old colonial city actually reminded us a little of Europe.

The historic center is full of beautiful churches, and you can easily lose yourself wandering its streets. The top must-sees in Cuenca are the New Cathedral, Santa Ana Street, and the Pumapungo Museum.

Our Hotel Recommendation for Cuenca

The Hostal Suite Le Fabrique is stylishly decorated and the service is top-notch. There are several courtyards and the whole place has a wonderfully cozy feel. The central location is great too.

Baños de Agua Santa

Baños is our favorite town in Ecuador because there’s so much to do here. Whether it’s bungee jumping off a bridge, cycling past waterfalls, or hiking to one of the many viewpoints — there’s always something going on in Baños.

Our absolute favorite thing here are the hot springs. There are a ton of them in Baños, making it the perfect place to simply relax on your South America trip. We tried the Termas de la Virgen in the center and can highly recommend them.

Our Hotel Recommendation for Baños

The Hostal & Spa Casa Real is located right next to a hot spring and has its own spa area. The view from the hotel is fantastic.

Guayaquil

Many tourists don’t have Guayaquil on their radar at all and only pass through because most flights to the Galápagos Islands depart from here.

Yet Guayaquil is totally worth a visit in its own right. Unlike Quito or Cuenca, it’s a commercial city with a large port — a completely different vibe.

Our top pick is Cerro Santa Ana. From up there you get a great view over the city, and there’s a lighthouse at the top.

Note: Guayaquil is currently an unsafe travel destination in Ecuador. You can find out more in our travel tips for Ecuador.

Our Hotel Recommendation for Guayaquil

We love the Hello! Las Peñas Siglo XXI B&B. The location is central and the rooms are large and spacious. You also get a lovely view of the river.

Beaches in Ecuador

If you love beaches or surfing, you definitely shouldn’t skip Ecuador’s coastline. It’s best to pick one or two beaches that suit you most and plan a few days there for a proper beach getaway.

Los Frailes

Setting aside the beaches on the Galápagos Islands, Los Frailes is our favorite beach in Ecuador. It sits right in the middle of nature and, with its stunning surroundings, makes for a gorgeous photo subject. The viewpoint in particular offers a spectacular perspective.

You can only reach Playa Los Frailes via small trails, as there’s no infrastructure around the beach — which is exactly what makes it such a perfect spot to kick back and relax.

Our Hotel Recommendation for Los Frailes

The nearest town to Los Frailes is Machalilla. There we recommend the Hostería del Parque. It’s a simple place to stay, but the location right on the neighboring beach is great. There’s also a pool and a jacuzzi.

Montañita

Montañita is one of the most popular beach destinations in Ecuador. The small fishing village draws especially surfers and backpackers, and it’s also a great spot for going out and partying.

There isn’t a whole lot to see here, but if you want to let loose for an evening, crave that beach vibe, and want to learn to surf, Montañita is exactly the right place.

Our Hotel Recommendation for Montañita

The Hotel Kundalini is right on the beach and the outdoor area is beautiful. The value for money is incredible and a delicious breakfast is included.

Mompiche

Mompiche is the quieter, more laid-back alternative to Montañita. The beachside village is very small and consists mainly of accommodations, tucked away in rugged natural surroundings where you can take wonderful walks along the beach and breathe in the sea air.

Mompiche is also great for surfers — especially from December through May, when the waves here are excellent.

Our Hotel Recommendation for Mompiche

Stylish and cozy with a beachy vibe, The Mudhouse Hostel Mompiche is a lovingly run hostel with a one-of-a-kind architectural style.

Playa de Salinas

Salinas is the go-to vacation spot for Ecuadorians. The town is especially popular with families, as there are tons of activities for both kids and adults, and it sits on a narrow strip of land that forms a kind of peninsula.

All the development and tourism have, in our opinion, stripped the town of some of its charm — but the beaches are still beautiful. And the calm water makes it really great for kids to swim in.

Our Hotel Recommendation for Salinas

The Hostería Ecológica El Faro is located just outside Salinas in beautiful natural surroundings right on the beach, with a great ocean view. It’s perfect for animal lovers — there are even monkeys living on the property.

Cultural Highlights in Ecuador

Of course, there’s plenty of culture to experience in Ecuador too. To wrap things up, here are our three favorite cultural highlights.

Otavalo Market

Otavalo is a small town just under 62 miles north of Quito. It feels like half the town makes its living from its high-quality textiles, which are sold all over the world.

That’s exactly why the Otavalo market is so famous — here you can get those sought-after goods straight from the source. Saturday is the market’s biggest day, when it spills out not just across the Plaza de Ponchos, but throughout the entire town.

Our Hotel Recommendation for Otavalo

A simple but lovely place to stay is the Hostal La Rosa Otavalo. The central location, practically right next to the market, is unbeatable — and it’s super affordable on top of that.

Middle of the World

As the name Ecuador already suggests, the equator runs through the country — “Ecuador” is literally the Spanish word for equator.

Just about 15 miles north of Quito, the equator passes through, and this is where the Mitad del Mundo monument was built. It’s hugely popular with visitors because you can take a photo standing with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere.

Since the “Middle of the World” is such a popular tourist attraction, there are also a number of other activities on offer, such as a planetarium and several museums.

Admission to Mitad del Mundo costs $5 USD. A day trip from Quito works perfectly.

To the guided tour of Mitad del Mundo including admission

Ingapirca

The Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru are world-famous. Far less crowded is Ingapirca in Ecuador. The name translates to Inca Wall — and it’s Ecuador’s most important archaeological complex and the country’s largest Inca ruin.

Ingapirca is located about 50 miles north of Cuenca, and what makes it especially fascinating is that both the Inca and the Cañari — a separate indigenous people — once lived here. So you get to learn about two distinct cultures at once.

Admission costs $2 USD.
To the day tour to Ingapirca from Cuenca