Visiting Ecuador

To reach the Galápagos Islands, you will travel through mainland Ecuador - a diverse land of lush rainforests, imposing mountains and a long Pacific coastline where golden beaches merge into striking precipices. While it is one of the smaller South American nations, dwarfed by its larger neighbors Colombia and Peru, Ecuador has so much to offer and is well worth exploring before or after your Galápagos trip.

Reasons to Visit Ecuador

Step into every traveler’s dream, with geographical diversity offering completely unique experiences; hike in the mountains, relax on the beach and explore the rich rainforests.
Taste delicious Ecuadorian cuisine where dishes vary between regions; seafood specialties, such as zesty ceviche, to highland flavors like the warming locro de papa.
Meet kind and hospitable locals everywhere you go, with various groups including indigenous communities, Afro-Ecuadorians and Amazon tribes.
Boasting five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Ecuador offers the chance to discover historic old towns, preserved national parks and the ancient Incan roads.
Experience Ecuador’s deep-rooted history with museums, ruins and even centuries-old Incan structures.

Top places to visit

Quito

The bustling capital city high in the Andes makes for a dramatic view - urban apartment blocks rise and fall to the rhythm of the valley with mountain peaks emerging in the distance. Tangled streets full of colonial churches, vibrant markets of traditional handicrafts and colourful architecture make up the historic centre. La Mariscal district offers a buzzing nightlife with a dynamic array of clubs, bars and even a thriving craft beer scene. Just outside the city, nature awaits with volcanic hikes, turquoise lakes and untouched national parks.

Guayaquil

Protected from the open ocean by a lip in the jagged coastline, Guayaquil is a port city featuring high-rise buildings and hillside favelas. Bursting with color is the popular Cerro Santa Ana, a sloped neighborhood filled with colorful bars, galleries and restaurants which leads down to the waterfront promenade, a defining part of Guayaquil. This may be Ecuador’s largest city, but that does not mean wildlife isn’t thriving; the iguana park is a must-visit where hundreds of green iguanas hang out in plain sight.

Chaski 03.25 Ecu Mainland Amazon Napo Wildlife Centre Sunset

The Amazon Jungle

The Amazon jungle conjures up images of teeming wildlife, majestic waterfalls and indigenous tribes. Visiting Ecuador’s Amazon is exactly that! Immerse yourself in the oldest surviving Amazonian cultures by heading deep into Huaorani territory, one of the world’s most isolated tribes, and witness their unique customs and rituals. Bathe in the hot springs of Papallacta, hike to the echo of thundering waterfalls and explore terra firma where armadillos, capybaras and even jaguars roam. For an adrenaline-charged adventure, Baños offers waterfall bungee jumping, intrepid canyoning and zip-lining above the Amazonian tree line.

Chaski 03.25 Ecu Mainland Cloud Forest Mashpi Lodge Landscape Rainforest (1)

The Cloud Forest

In the north of Ecuador, rolling clouds engulf a part of the canopy elevated by the Andes. This small town called Mindo, found 4000 ft above sea level, is like stepping into a mythical land in the skies. Filled with exotic orchids, ferns and bromeliads, along with waterfalls and crystalline rivers, the cloud forest is a breath of fresh air. Not to mention, this is one of the best areas for birdwatching in the world, with the chance to see rare golden-headed quetzals, delightful tanagers and the legendary long-billed toucan.

Avenue of the Volcanoes

Named by the famous explorer Humboldt, this volcano-lined corridor stretches through the heartland of Ecuador where green and gold pastures give rise to imposing snow-capped peaks. The most impressive of all is the picturesque Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world, with a perfect cone shape dusted bright white. Surrounding farmland is peppered with indigenous communities, verdant national parks and even the dramatic Toachi canyon where powerful streams have etched veins that run deep into the heart of Ecuador’s terrain.

Cuenca

Nestled amongst towering mountains in Southern Ecuador is Cuenca, a small city with a strong Spanish colonial identity. From above, the views show off church spires and the eye-catching Cathedral of Immaculate Conception which stands proud amongst the sea of terracotta and white houses with its baby blue domes and grandiose stone arches. Charming bridges of Cuenca’s old town cross the Rio Tomebamba, a fast-flowing stream that gushes from high in the Andes, and condors soar over Cajas National Park, a pocket of untouched alpine that lies just beyond the city.