Ecuador
20,000 ft volcanoes, dense rainforest, and more - all packed into a country the size of Colorado. Whether you visit to climb some of the iconic volcanoes like Chimborazo or Cotopaxi, try adventure sports in Baños, or take a more leisurely trip to explore the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador has something for everyone.
Top Spots in and near Ecuador
-
Unnamed Road, Ecuador
Hike & Bike to a Hidden Giant Tortoise Reserve in Parque Nacional Galápagos
1.5 miThe Galapagos Tortoise can live to over 150 years old, grow up to 5 feet long, and can weigh up to 550 pounds. Seeing them in person in their natural habitat is an experience you won't ever forget. On the island of Santa Cruz in the Galápagos, there are quite a few places you can see giant tortoi...Read more -
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador
Relax at Playa Puerto Chino
24KM from the port you can find the small, pristine, white, sandy beach of Puerto Chino. At the parking lot you head down a trail that will take roughly 15 minutes to descend. Along the way you will see intriguing prickly pear cacti "trees" which are endemic to the island, as well as several of...Read more -
Loberia, Ecuador
Snorkel, Surf, Sea Lions, and Sunset at Playa La Lobería
Playa La Lobería is an easily accesible beach on Isla San Cristóbal of the Galapagos Islands. It’s a hotspot for snorkeling and surfing year-round, as well as sunbathing (but beware it is VERY hot and sunny, you will burn without protection!) Sea lions and large iguanas frequent this beach and ca...Read more -
Río Verde, Ecuador
Rafting in Pastaza River, Baños de Agua Santa
Pastaza river is a class III rapids, which means that ain't that hard to navigate and almost everyone in your party can be part of this adventure. In order to do this activity you must book the services of a tour operator in Baños de Agua Santa, there are many. They will provide with all the gea...Read more -
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Visit Bartolome Island
This is one of the most popular day tours from Puerto Aroyo on Santa Cruz Island. You'll get picked up from your hostel (or meet at your tour agency) around 6:30 or 7 in the morning, and then drive across to the north part of Santa Cruz. There you'll board your boat for a cruise over to Bartolome...Read more -
Antigua Carretera Catamayo-Loja, Ecuador
Catch a Sunset from Parque Eólica Villonaco
0 miIn the southern Andes of Ecuador, at an elevation of 2,800 m above sea level, on the road joining Catamayo and Loja, a park containing 12 wind turbines provides amazing views of the city of Loja. For 30 cents, a local bus will take you from central Loja to Tierras Coloradas, from there you can t...Read more -
Loja, Ecuador
Hike from Loja to Vilcabamba
24.9 mi / -1640.4 ft gainWhile 40 kilometers is quite long, this trek is not difficult. The trail is long, wide, well maintained, well marked, and fairly flat if not downhill. Beginning in Loja's Parque Lineal, this is a true experience of the mountains and Andean life. Follow rivers, jump over streams, walk through t...Read more -
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Snorkel the Tunnels, Isla Isabela
As Isabela is located west of the archipelago, it's hit directly by the Cromwell current, which is rich in oxygen and nutrients for many marine and terrestrial species not only in Isabela but for the whole archipelago. From Puerto Villamil several snorkeling sites can be reached, but one stands o...Read more -
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador
Snorkel at Kicker Rock
The highlight tour on Cristobal, and possibly the Galapagos, is Kicker Rock (aka Leon Dormido aka The Sleeping Lio). This rock formation rises out of the ocean a 45min boat ride from the main town. It features two giant splits in the rock that have created channels you can snorkel through. There ...Read more -
Loja, Ecuador
Hike Sendero Los Alisos
1.9 mi / 1312.3 ft gainIn the south of Ecuador, in the culturally rich Andean mountains, lies the generally overlooked city of Loja. What it lacks in backpacker hostels and museums it makes up for in culture and endless mountain trails. Just beyond the southern end of the city is Parque Universitario, a Park used by ...Read more -
Loja, Ecuador
Picnic in Loja's Botanical Gardens
At the very south of Loja, on the road to Vilcabamba, is Jardín Botánico Reinaldo Espinosa. "Garden" is too calm of a word to describe this botanical sanctuary. It is full of native and exotic plant species only generally organized into an Arboretum, Andean Cultivation, Medicinal plants, an Orc...Read more -
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Paddleboarding at Parque Lago
In the last couple of years stand up paddleboard has became one of the most popular activities all around the world, and Ecuador did joined the trend. Parque Lago is located just 26 km from Guayaquil city. It´s a large reservoir that provides water to Santa Elena Peninsula, but it´s also a nation...Read more -
E582, Ecuador
Camp in El Cajas National Park
Cajas National Park is located 20.5 miles from Cuenca, and its main point of interest is the Toreadora lagoon, where an important infrastructure was developed according to the needs of the park, buildings such as the visitor center, the biological and archaeological museums, bar and cafeteria and...Read more -
-1.474580,-78.845959, Ecuador
Downhill Bike on Chimborazo
12.4 miThis route is names "Camino de los Hieleros" and starts at 4800 mts (15748 feet) in the "Hermanos Carrel shelter". It takes about 10 minutos to go down to the base of the volcano. After that you´ll have to cycle across the moor and the polylepis forest. In order to do this route first you'll have...Read more
