Ecuador boasts magnificent wildlife diversity, vibrant colonial cities and majestic avenues of volcanoes. With such a wealth of experiences on offer in this Latin American gem, you might find yourself pondering what to include in your itinerary.
In this article, we provide a guide to the 10 best things to do in Ecuador to help you plan an unforgettable holiday in this remarkable part of the world.
Explore fascinating Quito with your private guide
One of the best things to do in Quito, Ecuador, is take a colonial tour of the city, which includes a chocolate-tasting experience. After all, the country is famed for producing some of the best cocoa in the world. Wander around colonial Quito, discovering the treasures hidden along its cobblestone streets.
Its charming maze of whitewashed walls is home to botanical gardens, buzzing plazas and stunning historic churches complete with steeples and cupolas. In fact, Quito boasts one of the best-preserved colonial centres in the whole of Latin America.
During your private tour, you can go to the main plaza to see the Government Palace and visit several of the most significant churches from the 16th and 17th centuries. After dipping your toe in some of Quito’s finest architecture, you can head to the city’s most iconic colonial street: La Ronda.
Here you can learn about the day-to-day life and livelihoods of those living in the city. You’ll also have the opportunity to see the legendary Our Lady of the Panecillo statue. It sits on top of a 200-metre-high hill overlooking the city.
To top off the trip, embark on a guided tour that will teach you all about the country’s rich cocoa-making heritage and partake in a chocolate tasting. With so many unique and exciting experiences on offer on a colonial tour in Quito, this is certainly one of the best things to do in Ecuador.
The unique and beautiful Napo Lodge
Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest is exceptionally rich in biodiversity. It is home to over 300 species of mammal, including three-toed sloths, capybaras and tapirs. Otherwise known as el Oriente, the area encompasses around a third of the country’s entire land area.
With so many fascinating creatures to explore in the rainforest, exploring it is easily one of the most cool things to do in Ecuador. You can investigate the lush jungle landscape on foot, spotting everything from monkeys to turtles and parrots to caiman.
To add to the adventure, you can stay at indigenously owned lodges along the way. Doing so allows you to completely immerse yourself in the wild landscape and its magnificent animal life.
Situated within the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, La Selva Lodge is the perfect place to stay while ticking off one of the top things to do in Ecuador. It comprises 19 sleek staterooms in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Napo Lodge lies deep within the Amazon wilderness. To get here, you take a 2-hour paddle canoe ride along a narrow creek that leads you to the remote haven. The accommodation comprises 20 chic cabins, each of which is built along the banks of the lakes, overlooking the rainforest.
Sacha Lodge is a plush jungle retreat in the wild landscape of the rainforest. The thatched-roofed cabins are made from traditional materials and blend seamlessly into the wild surroundings. The on-site restaurant, La Balsa, offers dazzling views over the glittering waters of Pilchicocha Lake. Here you can dine while spotting the likes of giant otters, caiman and birds.
The incredible bird life of Ecuador
Going birdwatching in the enchanting landscape of the Cloud Forest is certainly one of the best things to do in Ecuador. The lush site is home to over 550 of the 1,660 avian species found in the country. In fact, it is renowned for being one of the best places for birding in the world.
Here you can see the likes of the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Andean Cock on the Rock and Violet-tailed Sylph. The landscape itself is absolutely incredible, with thick, flourishing vegetation, glistening streams and sweeping vistas over primordial-forest-capped mountains.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay while ticking off one of the most fun things to do in Ecuador, there are plenty of accommodations to choose from.
El Monte Lodge is a wonderful option. It comprises private riverside cabañas in the heart of the Cloud Forest. In this exotic oasis, you’ll be surrounded by the noises of birdsong and nearby streams.
Mashpi is another fantastic place to stay in the Cloud Forest. Serving up luxury amidst the untamed landscape, the award wining stylish nature resort is located on a picturesque plateau surrounded by forested mountains.
The majesty of Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi National Park lies situated in a protected area of the Andean Mountains in Ecuador. It encompasses a size of 333.9 square kilometres and is home to the highest active volcano in Ecuador.
Cotopaxi Volcano stands 5,897 metres above sea level and has one of the few glaciers along the equator. The park itself spans three provinces: Pichincha, Napo, and Cotopaxi and offers sensational views over the snow-topped slopes of the Cotopaxi and Antisana volcanoes.
There are a wealth of different hiking trails to choose from in the park. One of the most famous routes is the hike to the Refuge Jose Ribas and Cotopaxi glacier. It treats walkers to glorious views over the park’s unique terrain.
While at Cotopaxi National Park, you can also visit the Interpretation Centre to learn all about the history of the landscape, its major eruptions and the local plant life. As such a fascinating place to visit, exploring Cotopaxi National Park is easily one of the best things to do in Ecuador.
Take in the views of Quilotoa Crater
Hiking the Quilotoa Crater Loop is one of the most fun things to do in Ecuador. The 34.5 km-long lodge-to-lodge trek takes travellers along rolling mountains and arid valleys as towering active volcanoes dominate the sky above.
As you journey through remote areas of the Ecuadorian Andes, you pass by awe-inspiringly beautiful landscapes and tiny Andean villages. The Quilotoa is an active volcano that last erupted in the late 13th century.
This caused the top of the volcano to collapse and create a 3-km wide caldera. The crater itself is filled with deep blue water and creates the most incredible spectacle. Along the route, you’ll find charming and sustainable lodges perched high in the mountains, providing serene havens to unwind and rejuvenate after days spent trekking through the Andes.
Most of the lodges are run by those who have lived in the area for many years and make delicious, traditional food for guests.
Intricate work of a Master Weaver
Delving into traditional Andean culture is another of the best things to do in Ecuador. There are so many remarkable and exciting ways you can do this during your trip. You can find some of our favourites below.
Visit the art galleries in the community of Tigua. The artwork on display beautifully captures the folklore unique to this special Andean region. You’ll quickly discover the area’s distinctive artistic style.
The pieces are often characterised by bright colours and depict key aspects of life in the high Andes – indigenous communities, majestic volcanoes and soaring condors. Visitors can also visit the studio of Tigua’s first-ever painter, Julio Toaquiza.
Visiting the workshop of a master weaver is one of the most unusual things to do in Ecuador. Miguel Andrango was the country’s leading traditional weaver and you can visit his workshop in the village of Agato. His family’s products are made entirely of natural materials and dyes.
A homestay allows you to lodge with a local family and experience what life is like for those living in Otavalo. The city is famed for its indigenous population, many of whom make their livelihood by selling handicrafts and playing Andean folk music.
The Craftsman Trail refers to the route between the traditional settlements of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. Both villages are nestled within the Andes and offer glorious views over the dramatic landscape. While here, you’ll meet local families who make textiles in the way of the “Cañaris” (the pre-Inca inhabitants) and visit the workshops of local jewellery makers, guitar makers and orchid farms.
Try horse riding at a working Hacienda
Immerse yourself in authentic Ecuadorian heritage and culture by visiting operational haciendas. These working homesteads offer a unique insight into a fascinating facet of the country’s heritage. Discover two of our favourite haciendas below.
Experiencing the magic of Zuleta is one of the top things to do in Ecuador. The 17th-century hotel and working farm is owned by the former president, Galo Plaza Lasso. It is home to stunning antique rooms and has a plethora of fun activities on offer including horseback riding on Zuleteño horses, hiking along mountain trails and mountain biking through the valleys. Food at Zuleta is some of the best found in any hotel in Ecuador.
La Danesa is a family-owned working hacienda situated in the country’s coastal region, a one-hour drive from Guayaquil. The stunning family-run farm estate is home to swathes of cacao and sugar plantations, an apiary and orchard. While here, guests can trot through the landscape on a quarter-pinto horse, try their hand at beekeeping and go river tubing through the lush landscape.
Hike the Avenue of Volcanoes
Road-tripping along the Avenue of Volcanoes is another of the most fun things to do in Ecuador. Named by legendary explorer Humboldt, the site is a corridor lined by snow-capped volcanoes – many of which are still active.
Nestled along the Avenue of Volcanoes is Toachi Canyon, a steep valley enveloped in lush tropical forests and farmlands housing indigenous villages. Whether you choose a self-guided journey or join an organised tour, road-tripping offers a great way to discover the diverse and captivating landscapes that define this extraordinary area of Ecuador.
See Marine Iguanas and blue-footed boobies
Taking a cruise around the Galapagos Islands is often hailed as the best thing to do in Ecuador – and for good reason. The Galapagos Islands constitute one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. It showcases an array of rare and unique creatures found nowhere else on the planet.
Wildlife residents include the likes of marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises. A Galapagos cruise provides the ideal way to discover the archipelago in all of its glory as they enable you to experience and appreciate the exceptional diversity each island has to offer.
The incredible Giant Tortoise
If you don’t fancy a cruise, you can do a land-based island-hopping tour in the Galapagos Islands. Land-based tours allow you to explore various islands during the day while returning to land accommodations each night. Whether you’re prone to seasickness or simply prefer terra firma, this approach offers a fantastic way to discover the archipelago.
During your stay, you can explore the likes of North Seymour, home to nesting grounds of blue-footed boobies and the archipelago’s biggest colonies of the glorious Frigate birds. Santa Fe Island is another great destination to add to the itinerary. It is thought to be the native homeland of the giant tortoises.
There are so many brilliant things to see and do in Ecuador. From ticking off one of the best-preserved colonial centres in the whole of Latin America to one of the most biodiverse places on earth. You cannot go wrong with a trip to this spectacular part of the world.
Are you planning a trip to Ecuador and wondering what to do while you’re there? Check out our range of Ecuador holidays that take you to all of the best areas of the country including Quito, the Galapagos and the Amazon Rainforest.
