15 Amazing Places to Visit on Your Ecuador Vacation

Located on the equator in northwest South America, Ecuador is known for its abundant biodiversity, high-altitude capital city, Andean history, and exciting array of activities for families, couples, and backpackers. Here are 15 amazing things to do and see while backpacking Ecuador or enjoying an adventurous Ecuador vacation! 

Hike to the Quilotoa Lagoon on Your Ecuador Vacation

If you’re looking for amazing places to visit in Ecuador, visit Quilotoa! This jaw-dropping volcano is perfect for taking stunning photos of its glowing green lagoon and embarking on a challenging hike into (and out of) the crater. Quilotoa stands over 12,500 feet high so prepare to take it slow and steady for an enjoyable experience. 

I used a reputable tour company called Ecuatraveling for my Quilotoa day trip and enjoyed the full-day experience as a group trip. I’m smiling in the photo but this was one of the hardest hikes I’ve ever had to do, thanks to the soft volcanic sand and my not-so-great cardio skills (hello, high altitude). I was the last to make it back up, but it is still one of the most beautiful hikes in the world to me.

EcuaTraveling provided me with a press pass for this particular trip, but it usually costs $50 per person. As part of the tour package we visited a local market, Andean home in the mountains, and ate traditional Andean food (amazing soup) at the end of the hike.

Explore the cloud forest in Mindo, Ecuador

Less than two hours from Quito, visit the cloud forest 7,200 feet above sea level in Mindo. During your Ecuador vacation you can explore a vast community of hummingbirds, and learn about bird life and the subtropical rainforest ecosystem. 

In an effort to support sustainable tourism, I took a day trip and visited the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve to hike one of their 20 hiking trails and take advantage of bird photography opportunities. Serious bird watchers should definitely look into this one. 

I liked that the trails were not strenuous; great low to medium-impact activity for older travelers or those with physical limitations/injuries.

Cruise Around the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands is famous for inspiring Charles Darwin’s evolution theory. Home to over 200 known species, nature and wildlife enthusiasts flock to these volcanic islands to cross the world-famous excursion off their bucket list.

With 18 major islands dotted across just over 3,000 square miles, small ship cruises are the only way to truly encounter Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.

Visitors love that the range of flora and fauna found in the Galapagos differs from island to island. As documented in The Voyage of the Beagle, Charles Darwin found that animals adapted genetically to a given island’s unique ecosystem.

Thanks to its remote location and UNESCO/National Park designation, the wildlife of the Galapagos is both plentiful and peaceful. Penguins, sea lions, giant tortoises, and marine iguanas are mostly unafraid of humans.

And, as confirmed by Bret and Mary of Green Global Travel, the snorkeling and diving opportunities there are spectacular!

Visit the Beautiful city of Quito, Ecuador

Quito is one of the prettiest South American cities I’ve been to (I’d say a close second to Cartagena de Indias, Colombia) – and at over 9,000 feet in altitude, also the highest capital city in the world.

With the exception of everyone being drastically shorter than me (I’m 5’9″) I rarely felt out of place and loved exploring the city. I stayed at a modern apartment in the safe neighborhood of La Floresta and often took the street metro to get around.

Top sites to see and things to do in Quito:

• shopping in Old Town
• visit Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús (basically a church with gold interior that you can’t photograph to prove you were there)
• visit Iglesia la Basilica (Gothic church that took FOREVER to complete)
• Casa de la Cultura
• the Government Palace (gorgeous!!!!! and passport required)
• Plaza Grande

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If you need a place to stay, here are some referrals: check out the amazing Quito Airbnb I stayed at. Gorgeous city views and very modern.

If Airbnb isn’t your thing, try booking.com for highly rated hotel and hostel options. It’s my favorite website and I book with them for myself all the time, so naturally I now earn affiliate income from them whenever someone uses my link to book a hotel (at no extra charge to you).

New Users: Sign up for Airbnb here to get $15 off your first Airbnb Experience or $40 off your first Airbnb stay.

Find a Galapagos Alternative at Isla de la Plata

The Galapagos Islands is one of the most popular places to visit in Ecuador on vacation, but also pricey for many budgets. If you want to go to the Galapagos and save money, don’t book your trip ahead of time. Instead, hop on a last-minute cruise while you are there and take advantage of deep discounts. 

We saw many whiteboards outside of tour offices in Quito advertising discounted cruises in the $300-500 range.

However, if last-minute Galapagos pricing is still beyond your budget and you’re looking for a Galapagos alternative in Ecuador, Sharee from Winging the world suggests a visit to Isla de la Plata.

Also known as the ‘Poor Man’s Galapagos’, Isla de la Plata is the perfect day trip for travelers whose budget doesn’t quite match the cost of a cruise around Ecuador’s famous islands.

Home to many of the same species the Galapagos is known for, visitors can take in the sights of Cormorants, Blue Footed Boobys, and even the almighty Albatross (if you’re lucky)!

Day trips can be arranged for between $35-45 USD in both Puerto Lopez and Montañita. They usually include a hike around the island as well as the opportunity to snorkel. Though you won’t spot hammerhead sharks here, sea turtles are plentiful and the fish are some of the most colorful seen in South America.

Shop around a Local Indigenous Market

During my day trip to Quilotoa, we stopped at the famous local market of Saquisilí. Here you found animals, baked goods and produce, and home staples for sale.

This market is more laid back than the more popular tourist attraction that is the Otavalo market, but they are all quite wonderful to experience. On Sundays, you can visit the Pujili market instead of Saquisilí (visited on Thursdays).

Hike Around Cuicocha Lake for Breathtaking Views

As mentioned, Otavalo is a very popular place to visit on a Ecuador vacation. It is known for its huge, colorful Saturday market: where artisans and local vendors come from all over the valley to sell their own products.

For outdoor adventurers, however, the highlight of a trip to Otavalo can very much be a hike around Cuicocha Lake, instead! It’s a spectacular 15km (about 9 miles) walk with a relatively low elevation gain (3100m – 3450m). 

Isabella from Boundless Roads shares that the best part about this hike is it can be done on your own, with no guide. Every now and then you may meet other walkers, which lets you know how much trail is left.

The lake hike looks (and feels) neverending, but is so enjoyable that you almost don’t want it to end. For more information on how to get there and other tips, you can read her post on it.

Visit a traditional Andean home

Many tour companies in Ecuador can help you book a trip or experience that includes a stop in the Andes mountains to interact with Andean people and visit a traditional family home.

You will see guinea pigs being saved for special occasion consumption, vibrantly woven ponchos worn by Andean villagers, and creatively built homes that likely require you to squat to enter. We experienced this trip as part of our Quilotoa excursion, and most tours will offer something similar.

Have Fun in the Ecuador Beach Town of Montañita

How could you not fall in love with Montañita’s small beach town? With laid back vibes, jewelry makers, and surfers galore, you’ll find yourself wanting to stay longer than intended. This spot has tons of personality for its size, and is a great launch point for water adventures.

Get comfortable, brush up on your Spanish and surfing skills, and take advantage of the super cheap late morning breakfast stands and evening drinks down cocktail alley.

Watch out for street food meat, though. While I am a huge supporter of street food, I found Montañita’s fluctuating electricity (the power went out a few times) and hot, humid climate meant raw meat sitting out for street burgers is probably not the best idea. Just ask Alex’s belly and bowel… they’ll attest to that!

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A post shared by O. Christine | Travel • Wellness • Outdoors (@ochristine)

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A post shared by O. Christine | Travel • Wellness • Outdoors (@ochristine)

To accentuate our stay, we booked a penthouse Airbnb that overlooked the small town and beach and was just a five-minute walk from all the action.

It was such an awesome place that Airbnb featured my photo on their Instagram and approx. 12,000 people LOVED it. 

Bike Along la Ruta de las Cascadas (Waterfall Route)

If you’re one for adventure, one of the most amazing things to do in Ecuador is to cycle down the Andes along the Ruta de las Cascadas (the Route of the Waterfalls).

Starting in Baños, where it is easy to rent a bike, follow the road downhill.

As you slowly descend from cloud forest and active volcanos to the Amazon rainforest far below, you pass several waterfalls – cascading down the hills beside you, and even across the road in parts.

James from Travel Collecting suggests you don’t miss the incredible Devil’s Cauldron – a thundering waterfall reached on foot down a wooden walkway.

When it is time to return home at the end of the day, you can mount your bike on the roof of a bus from Puyo back to Baños, and soothe any sore muscles in the Baños hot springs.

Take a River Cruise through the Cuyabano Wildlife Reserve

There are many options for experiencing the Amazon, as it spans across nine of South America’s countries, including Ecuador. The world’s largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon is famous for its biodiversity of plants and wildlife.

If you want to explore the Amazon during your Ecuador vacation, you’ll be in for a treat.

Ecuador is home to a plethora of eco-friendly lodges, incredible biodiversity, multi-day tours, and affordable cruises. Whichever you choose, your excursion will teach you a lot about the rainforest’s medicinal plants, flora, fauna, and tribal life.

One of the coolest ways to explore Ecuador’s Amazon is to take a river cruise, like the one Lora from Explore with Lora took through the vast area.

During the river cruise in the Cuyabano Wildlife Reserve, she spotted six species of monkeys, anacondas, crocodiles, river dolphins, macaws, toucans, and sloths. It’s an experience well worth a spot on your Ecuador bucket list.

Visit the Toachi Canyon Crater in Pujili

On route to (or coming from) Quilotoa, you can drive by the gorgeous Toachi Canyon Crater for epic views and a photo op; perfect if you’re hiking the Quilotoa loop or taking a day trip to the lagoon.

The canyon’s dramatic structure is directly linked to volcanic flow from Quilotoa’s eruptions — the last one being nearly 1,000 years ago.

While the river that runs through it is not as impressive in some parts, the high view, desert contrast with the mountain green, and opportunity for a short stroll, more intensive hike, or adventure sport makes it all the more interesting.

I was terrified taking photos at this cliff. It felt a lot steeper than it looks in the photo. The average drop is 40m, but the highest goes up to 100m.

Swing from a Tree House in Baños, Ecuador

The Baños Swing — also known as “The Swing at the End of the World” has its name for a reason. Behold a massive swing attached to a tree, that when ridden, gives you breathtaking views of the Baños below. 

Aside from the swing, climbing up into the treehouse it belongs to will offer pristine views of the entire valley. Though the swing might look scary from photos, the drop isn’t as steep as it seems, thanks to a hidden hill below. 

If you want to try the swing yourself, get to Casa del Arbol (the official location). Travel there by bus for $1 or taxi for about $20-$30 RT. The trip up the mountain takes about 1 hour from Baños town, and it costs $1 per person to use the swing.

According to Samantha at Intentional Detours, the amount of time you have at the swing will depend on the queue. The more people, the less time allotted.

With the swing becoming more and more popular, it’s best to visit on weekdays or during off-season. Since the weather is quite unpredictable in Ecuador, even the rainy season can provide some sunny days, offering a swing opportunity with little to no line!

Experience the Amazon in Puerto Misahuallí

For those who want to explore the Amazon rainforest, but don’t have the time/budget to travel to Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve or nook an extensive trek, Puerto Misahualli is a perfect alternative.

Puerto Misahualli is a small town in Ecuador perched on a bend in the Río Napo, a feeder river for the Amazon.

There are tons of activities to enjoy here, and tours in the Puerto Mishauallí area can be tailored to include Amazon experiences that fit your adventure style.

Lozzy from Cuppa to Copa Travels suggests the best way to explore the area is by longboat.

A custom longboat adventure takes you down river to your chosen spots, which can include Amazon rainforest hikes to learn about medicinal plants of the area, river tubing, or an informative visit to Amazoonico, a rescue and re-release centre for abused exotic pets.

Go Hiking Near Cuenca at Cajas National Park

If you are looking for adventurous and outdoor things to do in Cuenca, consider taking a day trip to the nearby Cajas National Park. Located at 3900m above sea level, Cajas National Park is unlike most national parks.

Marked by its unique tundra vegetation and sudden change in weather, hiking in Cajas National Park is one of the most amazing things to do in Ecuador.

Sean, from Living Out Lau, advises there are plenty of hiking trails in the park ranging from an easy stroll (though no stroll is truly easy at 3900m) to days-long treks.

Cajas National Park is the perfect way to escape from cities and see the beautiful landscapes and scenery Ecuador has to offer.

Want to visit any of these Amazing Places to See & things to do in Ecuador?

There are so many beautiful places to visit and adventurous things to do in Ecuador — it can get overwhelming! I hope you found this list of suggestions to be both helpful and inspiring.

These adventures are perfect for couples, solo travelers, and groups to experience. Whether you’re backpacking Ecuador on a budget or splurging to your heart’s content, there’s something for everyone!

Taking an Ecuador vacation or know someone who is?

Save and share this list on the best things to do and see on your Ecuador vacation! Remember, Ecuador uses the American dollar as currency so if you’re coming from the States, that is one less thing to worry about.

Have fun and happy traveling!

xx, O.

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