Things To See & Do in Ecuador
Quito
Quito sits high in the Andes at 2,850m, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. You’ll see many of the main Old Town sights during our tour on Friday, so these are a few other places worth exploring. TelefériQo: Ride up Pichincha to 3,947m for sweeping views over the city. Adventurous hikers can continue toward Rucu Pichincha at 4,696m. Guayasamín & Capilla del Hombre: Powerful work by one of Ecuador’s most important artists. Mercado Iñaquito: Local market near the hotel for fruit, juices and traditional food. A little adventurous — definitely not a Canadian grocery store! Mercado Artesanal: Good for Ecuadorian crafts, textiles and souvenirs. Mitad del Mundo: Stand on the equator and visit Intiñan nearby. Martin thinks it’s far and overrated, but visitors always seem to love it, so take his opinion with a grain of salt.
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is one of Ecuador’s most famous volcanoes, about 2 hours south of Quito. It works well as a day trip or an overnight stay. Stay Secret Garden Cotopaxi: Rustic and social, with great volcano views. El Porvenir: Traditional hacienda, especially good for horseback riding. Tambopaxi: Inside the national park, ideal for hiking. Chilcabamba: Quieter and more comfortable mountain lodge. Do Hike to the refuge at 4,800m, walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon, ride horses through the páramo at El Porvenir, or hike Rumiñahui for something more challenging. Our Tip We did the refuge as a day trip from Quito, packed sandwiches and snacks, and had a blast.
Mindo Valley
Mindo is a small cloud-forest town about 2 hours from Quito, known for hummingbirds, waterfalls, chocolate and incredible biodiversity. Great for a day trip or an overnight stay. Stay Casa Divina: Quiet eco-lodge surrounded by forest. Terrabambu: Comfortable lodge with great valley views. Mashpi - An incredible option if you want a more immersive stay and luxury experience. Do Take the tarabita across the valley and hike the waterfall trails, go birdwatching for hummingbirds and toucans, visit a local chocolate maker, or take a guided night walk through the cloud forest.
Haciendas
Ecuador’s highland haciendas are one of our favourite ways to experience the Andes — historic estates with horses, fireplaces, local food and beautiful countryside. Perfect for a night or two. Our top picks, in order: Hacienda Zuleta: Our absolute favourite Hacienda El Porvenir: Near Cotopaxi Hacienda Cusín: Near San Pablo & Otavalo Hacienda Pinsaquí: Near Otavalo (Martin grew up coming here) Hacienda La Ciénega: Near Cotopaxi
Cuenca
Cuenca is one of Ecuador’s most beautiful colonial cities, with cobblestone streets, churches, cafés and a much slower pace than Quito. It’s an easy place to spend two or three days. Do Walk through the historic centre, visit the markets, stroll along the Tomebamba River and explore nearby Cajas National Park. It’s also one of the best places to shop for a traditional Ecuadorian Panama hat — which, despite the name, actually originated in Ecuador.
Galápagos Islands
If you have the time, the Galápagos are unlike anywhere else in the world. Expect sea lions, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, snorkeling and landscapes that change completely from island to island. You can explore by cruise or stay on the islands and take day trips. We’d budget at least 4–5 days, and longer if possible. Flights leave from Quito or Guayaquil, so it’s easy to add before or after the wedding.
Amazon Rainforest
Ecuador’s Amazon is much closer to Quito than most people realize and makes an incredible 3–4 day addition to your trip. Stay at a jungle lodge and explore by canoe and on foot with local guides. Expect monkeys, tropical birds, insects, night walks and visits to Indigenous communities. For a deeper Amazon experience, look at lodges around Coca and Yasuní. Tena is easier to reach and works well if you have less time.
Banos
Baños is a small town about 3.5 hours from Quito, surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and jungle. It’s one of the best places in Ecuador if you want a little adventure. Do Bike the Ruta de las Cascadas, visit the Pailón del Diablo waterfall, soak in the hot springs, go rafting or canyoning, and stop at the famous Casa del Árbol swing. Stay a night or two if you can — there’s much more to do than makes sense in a day trip from Quito.