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Ecuador

Check out this year's Best in Travel winners

Postcard-pretty town centers, waves splashing white-sand beaches, Kichwa villages, Amazonian rainforest and the breathtaking Andes: a dazzling array of wonders is squeezed into compact Ecuador.

Best Time to Visit

Best Places to Visit

Attractions

Must-see attractions

León Dormido

Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham)

About an hour’s boat ride northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is León Dormido (Kicker Rock), so named because of its resemblance to a sleeping lion. León…
El Chato Tortoise Reserve

Isla Santa Cruz (Indefatigable)

South of Santa Rosa is El Chato Tortoise Reserve, where you can observe giant tortoises in the wild. When these virtually catatonic, prehistoric-looking…
MAPRAE

Puerto Ayora

The first of its kind in the world, this museum uses augmented reality to showcase a permanent exhibition of 55 pre-Columbian artifacts. The ancient…
Volcán Alcedo

The Galápagos Islands

The summit of this volcano (1097m) is famous for its 7km-wide caldera and steaming fumaroles. Hundreds of giant tortoises can be seen here, especially…
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús

Quito

Capped by green-and-gold domes, La Compañía de Jesús is Quito’s most ornate church and a standout among the baroque splendors of the Old Town. Free guided…
Museo del Banco Central ‘Pumapungo’

Cuenca

One of Ecuador's most significant museums, Pumapungo houses great modern art downstairs, but the highlight is on the 2nd floor. Here begins a…
TelefériQo

Quito

For spectacular views over Quito’s mountainous landscape, hop aboard this sky tram, one of the world's highest aerial lifts, that takes passengers on a 2…
Casa Museo Guayasamín

Quito

In the former home of the legendary painter Oswaldo Guayasamín (1919–99), this wonderful museum houses the most complete collection of the artist's work…

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Top picks from our travel experts

The 10 best things to do in Ecuador

Curated by Mayra Peralta

Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo

Central Highlands

Volcán Chimborazo and Volcán Carihuairazo are both within the Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo. It is called a ‘fauna-production reserve’ because…
Parque Nacional Machalilla

Ruta Spondylus

Preserving isolated beaches, coral formations, two offshore islands, tropical dry forest, coastal cloud forest, archaeological sites and 200 sq km of…
Parque Nacional Yasuní

The Oriente

Yasuní is Ecuador’s biggest mainland park at 9820 sq km, boasting all manner of terrain from marshes to rivers to tropical rainforest. A Unesco Biosphere…
Laguna Quilotoa

The Quilotoa Loop

About 14km north of Zumbahua, the famous volcanic-crater lake of Laguna Quilotoa is a gasp-inducing sight. A lookout on the precipitous crater rim offers…
Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

Central Highlands

The centerpiece of Ecuador's most popular national park is the snowcapped and downright picture-perfect Volcán Cotopaxi. At 5897m, it's Ecuador's second…
Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco

Quito

Construction of the convent, the city’s largest colonial structure, began only a few weeks after the Spanish establishment of Quito in 1534, but wasn't…
Palacio Arzobispal

Quito

On the northeast side of Plaza Grande, this former archbishop’s palace is now a colonnaded row of small shops and restaurants, located between Avenidas…
Sinchi Warmi

The Oriente

Founded, built and run by a group of Kichwa women, this community center introduces visitors to their culture through activities such as jungle walks,…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Ecuador offers some of the most incredible travel experiences on earth. From the Amazon and the Andes to the Galápagos, here are the top things to do.

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Things to Know

These insider tips on health, safety and etiquette will help you make the most out of your trip to Ecuador.

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Transportation

Start planning your trip now with our expert advice on how to travel around Ecuador safely and efficiently.

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Visa Requirements

Don't miss out on the magnificent attractions Ecuador has to offer because of a little paperwork. Here's everything you need to know about visas.

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Money and Costs

It may be more expensive than its South American neighbors but that doesn't mean you can't visit Ecuador on a budget. Here's what you need to know.