Ecuador may be slightly dwarfed by other South American countries, but it punches well above its weight. It’s tempting to pass through only the mainland en route to the celebrated Galapagos Islands, but our specialists would urge you to vacation in continental Ecuador, too. They’re able to help you experience all the country’s beguiling variety in a tailor-made Ecuador vacation.
Lovers of textiles and artisan crafts can head to the animated markets of Otavalo and the capital, Quito, or observe authentic Panama hats being made in the colonial city of Cuenca. You can explore, and hike on, the geological spectacle of the almost conical Cotopaxi in the Avenue of Volcanoes. One of the feathers in Ecuador’s cap is its restored railway network, which offers visitors panoramic vistas of the Andean landscapes. Meanwhile, you’re able to immerse yourself in birdwatching and horticulture in cloudforest reserves.
Suggested tours for Ecuador
Encountering fearless wildlife in the Galapagos, listening to birdsong in the cloudforest, and visiting remote indigenous markets in the highlands — whatever you’re interested in, our suggested itineraries are a great starting point as you begin to plan your trip to Ecuador.
Suggested activities for Ecuador
Enjoy a guided walk around Otavalo Market, follow a naturalist on hikes into the Amazon rainforest, and take a private tour through downtown Quito. Whatever your interests, our specialists will suggest experiences designed to enhance your trip to Ecuador.
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El Cajas National Park El Cajas National Park
CuencaEl Cajas National Park
The El Cajas National Park is a 28,000 hectare area of some 230 lakes and quinoa forest starting at 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) that is home to a variety of wildlife including the Andean Gull, black frogs, hummingbirds and condors as well as a variety of indigenous plants including many rare bromeliads and orchids.
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Jungle Excursions Jungle Excursions
Jungle Excursions
There are jungle treks where experienced and knowledgeable guides will answer your questions and identify wildlife, piranha fishing excursions in the blackwater creek and stargazing in the evening.
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Otavalo Market Otavalo Market
OtavaloOtavalo Market
The market features a dazzling array of crafts, textiles and jewelry, all of which are of high quality and good value.
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Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Ecuador, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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Useful information for planning your vacation in Ecuador
The official language of Ecuador is Spanish, although 13 Indigenous languages are also spoken. You’ll generally find English-speaking staff at hotels and larger restaurants.
The official currency of Ecuador is the US dollar ($). Ecuadorian coins are still minted and are identical in shape and value to US coins. You’ll find ATMs in cities and larger towns, and credit cards are widely accepted.
If you’re planning to bring cash, bring small denominations (US$20 or less) and avoid ripped or dirty bills because they won’t be accepted.
In Ecuador, you should try bolon de verde (a ball of mashed green plantain filled with meat and cheese), llapingachos (potato cakes), and fritada be chancho (fried pork served with hominy or beans). Most Ecuadorian dishes are based on meat or fish served with corn, rice, or plantain, but you’ll find local ingredients such as cuy (guinea pig) are a staple in the highlands.
For something sweeter, look out for ice creams and juices made from tropical fruits such as naranjilla, maracuya, and guanabana, or drinks such as chicha de piña (boiled pineapple rinds spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and allspice) and canelazo (a warm, alcoholic drink made with naranjilla, aguardiente liquor, and cinnamon).
A tip of 10% of the total is standard in restaurants in Ecuador. Drivers and guides will appreciate a tip, and in jungle lodges, any tips are usually split between your naturalist guide, the local guide, and general staff.
For the latest travel advice for Ecuador, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the .
Pack a wide variety of clothing for a trip to Ecuador including base layers, waterproofs, and warm clothing. Although the coastal lowlands and the Amazon rainforest can be hot and humid, destinations at higher altitudes can be cold, especially at night.
You can canoe through the Ecuadorian Amazon, visit artisan markets, and see the extraordinary wildlife of the Galapagos in Ecuador. A small country that offers an incredibly diverse range of attractions, Ecuador combines natural wonders with historic cities, active volcanoes, and rich traditions.
You can hike or canoe through the Amazon Rainforest searching for monkeys, toucans, and river dolphins, visit highland cloudforests to find delicate orchids, learn about the nation’s complex history on a guided city tour, or take a switchback railway down the slopes of the Andes.
Elsewhere, you could climb volcanoes in Cotopaxi National Park, see Panama hats being made in the Gualaceo, or visit local communities to learn about cocoa cultivation, chocolate making, and the challenges of forest conservation at La Selva Negra Mountain Resort and Coffee Estate.
In Ecuador, you can stay in regal townhouses, restored haciendas, and rainforest lodges. The choice of hotels can be a highlight of your visit, for example you can get an insight into the country’s history with a stay at an elegantly restored mansion or some time on a working hacienda.
In the highlands, you’ll get the chance to track birds and see delicate orchids from a cloudforest dome, you could head into the jungle to stay at a rainforest lodge to learn about conservation efforts, or choose a river cruise on the Napeo River, a tributary of the Amazon, instead.
For some more ideas on where to stay, browse our collection of Ecuadorian hotels.
Some of the top places to go in Ecuador include Quito, Otavalo, the Amazon, and the Galapagos Islands.
Quito, the Ecuadorian capital, is a vibrant and absorbing city with narrow streets lined with churches, monasteries, mansions, and markets. By comparison, Otavolo feels more rustic, its residents are often seen in traditional dress and its markets are filled with artisan crafts and intricate textiles.
In the Andes, you can see Panama hats being made in Cuenca or climb the conical peak of Cotopaxi in the Avenue of Volcanoes where crater lakes and snow-capped mountains form the backbone of the country.
For jungle walks and vividly feathered birds, the Ecuadorian cloudforest and Amazon offer a wilderness experience, while the Galapagos Islands are a natural wonder brimming with rare and endemic wildlife lulled into fearlessness by a lack of predators.
It takes around seven hours to fly from the East Coast of the US to Ecuador, and around nine and a half hours from the West Coast.
The time zone in Ecuador is UTC-5 hours. Daylight Savings Time isn’t observed.
The best way to get around in Ecuador is by car. We can arrange for a private car and driver to accompany your trip or for private car journeys between destinations. You’ll need to fly if you want to visit the Galapagos Islands, and flying into the Ecuadorian Amazon at Coca can save time on windy, badly maintained roads. In the Andes, the train trip along the Devil’s Nose is a dramatic way to see the mountains.
US citizens don’t need a visa to visit Ecuador for stays of up to 90 days, however, evidence of return or onward travel must be provided.
Your doctor can provide you with immunization advice for Ecuador, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the .
Check that your passport is valid for at least six months after your date of departure from Ecuador.
Rest on arrival and drink plenty of water, and you shouldn’t find the altitude a problem in Ecuador. Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world so it’s not unusual to feel fatigued, have a headache, or be a little short of breath on arrival, but your body will acclimatize quickly if you take it easy for your first few days.
Our specialists will plan your trip so the increase in altitude is gradual, and listen to your body, as altitude affects everyone differently. If you still feel uncomfortable after a few days, see a doctor, or descend to lower altitudes.
Ecuador in pictures
Our expert guides to traveling in Ecuador
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Ecuador. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Ecuador at its best.
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A specialist's guide to Ecuador
See our suggestions for what to do and see in the vibrant country of Ecuador, from the Devil’s Nose train journey to the scenic Cotopaxi National Park.
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A typical day in the Galapagos: what to expect A typical day in the Galapagos: what to expect
A typical day in the Galapagos: what to expect
Michael, one of our specialists, takes you through what to expect on a visit. He outlines a typical morning, afternoon and evening routine on a cruise boat, and explains the major differences between a cruise and land-based stays.
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Where to go in the Amazon: planning your journey into the rainforest Where to go in the Amazon: planning your journey into the rainforest
Where to go in the Amazon: planning your journey into the rainforest
Audley specialist Rebecca shares why she loves the Amazon, but explains that planning a trip there comes with a few caveats. She suggests you ask yourself: what is it I really want to see and do in the rainforest?
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Wildlife highlights of the Galapagos Islands Wildlife highlights of the Galapagos Islands
Wildlife highlights of the Galapagos Islands
Galapagos specialist Holly shares her top wildlife experiences in the Galapagos Islands. She looks at its unique variety of bird, marine and animal species including giant tortoise, albatross, penguins, sea lions and iguanas.
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What to do in Ecuador: our highlights guide What to do in Ecuador: our highlights guide
What to do in Ecuador: our highlights guide
Although famous for the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador offers the visitor a wealth of other attractions, from active volcanoes and spectacular train journeys, to UNESCO World Heritage cities and wildlife trips to the Amazon.
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My perfect trip: a grand tour of mainland Ecuador My perfect trip: a grand tour of mainland Ecuador
My perfect trip: a grand tour of mainland Ecuador
Ecuador’s more than the Galapagos Islands: it’s South America in miniature. Specialist Caroline talks you through her ideal trip, which includes some of the country’s unsung heroes — from Andean highlands to Amazon backwaters — and her pick of its finest properties.
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Ecuador's wildlife beyond the Galapagos: the Amazon and cloudforest Ecuador's wildlife beyond the Galapagos: the Amazon and cloudforest
Ecuador's wildlife beyond the Galapagos: the Amazon and cloudforest
While Scott from our Latin America team believes that the Galapagos are fundamental to any amateur naturalist’s trip to Ecuador, he’d also encourage you to consider exploring the mainland’s Amazon and cloudforest regions as part of your Ecuador wildlife tour.
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Machu Picchu plus one: tried-and-tested South American combinations Machu Picchu plus one: tried-and-tested South American combinations
Machu Picchu plus one: tried-and-tested South American combinations
Did you know that thanks to ever-improving flight connections, you can easily combine Machu Picchu with other South American destinations such as the Galapagos and Argentina — without the need to extend your trip drastically? Our specialists explain how.
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South America’s greatest railway journeys: Peru’s Andean Explorer & Ecuador’s Tren Crucero South America’s greatest railway journeys: Peru’s Andean Explorer & Ecuador’s Tren Crucero
South America’s greatest railway journeys: Peru’s Andean Explorer & Ecuador’s Tren Crucero
Travel on South America’s foremost luxury sleeper train service, Peru’s Belmond Andean Explorer, or voyage down Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes on comfortable day trains. Audley specialist Holly describes why you might want to experience the continent from a railway carriage.
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Other popular destinations
Still looking for ideas? If Ecuador has captured your interest, we think you might also like these destinations.