Explore Quito's UNESCO-listed colonial old town
One of the best-preserved and least-altered historic centers in Latin America, with baroque churches covered in gold leaf.
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South America
Things to do in Ecuador
A country small enough to cross in a day, spanning Andean volcanoes, Amazon rainforest, and the Galápagos Islands' famously fearless wildlife, all sharing the same currency as the US.
Explore Ecuador on the map →Budget$
Best for10-14 days including Galápagos
CapitalQuito
VisaVisa-free entry for up to 90 days for US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders; the US dollar is Ecuador's official currency.
CurrencyUS dollar (USD)
LanguagesSpanish (Indigenous Kichwa spoken in Andean communities)
InternetGood on the mainland, limited in the Galápagos and Amazon
Typical lodging$15–$40/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage120V / 60Hz (Type A/B plug)
Time zoneUTC-5
Emergency number911
Dialing code+593
★★★★★ Wildlife★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Photography
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or filtered water recommended. 10% at restaurants is common.
Ecuador's Galápagos Islands, roughly 1,000 kilometres offshore, inspired Darwin's theory of evolution and remain one of the only places on Earth where wildlife shows little to no fear of humans. Despite its small size, the mainland spans Andean peaks over 6,000 metres, Amazon rainforest, and Pacific coastline within a few hours' drive of each other.
When to go
Dry season (highlands)June–September
The clearest, driest window for Quito, the Andes, and volcano climbing, also peak tourist season inland.
Wet season (highlands)October–May
More rain in the Andes but still very manageable, with afternoon showers rather than all-day rain.
Garúa season (Galápagos)June–November
Cooler, drier air and calmer seas around the Galápagos, best for snorkeling visibility, though water temperatures drop.
Warm season (Galápagos)December–May
Warmer water and air in the islands, with occasional heavier rain showers but excellent visibility and wildlife activity.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
4Stand on the equator at Mitad del Mundo
A monument marking the equator just outside Quito, with a nearby museum demonstrating (with mixed scientific rigor) equator-related phenomena.
Shop the Otavalo indigenous market
One of South America's largest and oldest markets, with textiles and crafts sold by Kichwa artisans much as they have been for generations.
Explore Cuenca's colonial architecture
A UNESCO-listed city of blue-domed cathedrals and riverside promenades, often considered Ecuador's most elegant colonial city.
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Adventure & outdoors
9Snorkel with sea lions in the Galápagos
Playful, curious sea lions often approach snorkelers directly, a wildlife encounter unlike almost anywhere else on Earth.
Climb or trek Cotopaxi Volcano
One of the world's highest active volcanoes, with a refuge hike suitable for most fitness levels and a technical summit route for climbers.
Snorkel with hammerhead sharks near Wolf and Darwin Islands
Remote northern Galápagos dive sites where schooling hammerheads gather in numbers rarely seen elsewhere, accessible only by liveaboard.
Ride the Devil's Nose train through the Andes
A dramatic zigzag railway carved into a cliff face, engineered in the early 1900s to connect the highlands to the coast.
Soak in thermal springs at Baños
A small town beneath an active volcano, with hot springs, waterfalls, and adventure sports like canyoning and swinging at the 'Swing at the End of the World.'
Hike the Quilotoa Loop crater lake
A turquoise volcanic crater lake in the Andes, with multi-day village-to-village trekking routes through Indigenous highland communities.
Cruise between Galápagos islands on a small ship
Multi-day cruises are the classic way to see several islands' distinct ecosystems, with a naturalist guide required on every excursion.
Snorkel with penguins at the Galápagos' Bartolomé Island
The only penguin species found north of the equator, sharing the water with sea turtles and rays around Bartolomé's iconic Pinnacle Rock.
Surf the Pacific breaks near Montañita
Ecuador's most popular surf town, with reliable breaks for beginners and intermediates plus a lively backpacker nightlife scene.
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Nature & scenery
5See giant tortoises in the Galápagos highlands
Wild giant tortoises roam freely on Santa Cruz Island's private ranches, some over 100 years old and unbothered by close observation.
Stay at an Amazon lodge in Cuyabeno or Yasuní
Guided canoe trips through flooded forest, night caiman spotting, and canopy towers in some of the most biodiverse rainforest on Earth.
Watch marine iguanas bask on Galápagos lava rocks
The world's only seagoing lizard, found nowhere else, often piled together in groups directly beside walking trails.
Visit the cloud forest reserve of Mindo
A birdwatching hotspot within two hours of Quito, home to hundreds of species including dozens of hummingbird varieties visible at feeders.
Watch blue-footed boobies perform their mating dance
A genuinely comic courtship display involving exaggerated foot-lifting, visible on several Galápagos islands during breeding season.
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Food & drink
2Eat ceviche and encebollado on the Ecuadorian coast
Coastal specialties built on fresh Pacific seafood: encebollado, a fish and cassava soup, is a beloved local hangover cure and breakfast staple.
Try guinea pig (cuy), a traditional Andean dish
A centuries-old Andean protein source, roasted whole and served at highland markets and traditional restaurants, an acquired taste but a genuine cultural touchstone.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Ecuador?
Most Western passport holders, including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency, which simplifies budgeting for American travelers.
▾Is a Galápagos trip worth the extra cost?
For most travelers, yes, it's one of the few places on Earth where wildlife shows minimal fear of humans, letting you get remarkably close to iguanas, sea lions, and giant tortoises. Budget for a separate flight and either a cruise or land-based island-hopping itinerary.
▾How many days should I spend on the mainland versus the Galápagos?
A common split is 4-5 days on the mainland (Quito, the Andes, maybe the Amazon) plus 5-7 days in the Galápagos, since flights there require a mainland connection anyway.
▾Is altitude sickness a concern in Quito?
Quito sits at nearly 2,850 metres, one of the highest capital cities in the world: take your first day easy, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol until you've acclimatized.
▾Is the Ecuadorian Amazon worth adding to an itinerary?
Yes if you have the time: lodges in the Cuyabeno or Yasuní regions offer some of the most accessible Amazon wildlife viewing in South America, often more affordable than comparable trips from Peru or Brazil.
▾How much does the Galápagos National Park entry fee cost?
Foreign visitors pay $200 for the national park entrance fee as of 2026, plus a separate $20 Transit Control Card that most people forget to budget for, both paid in cash on arrival at the Galápagos airport. Combined with the flights from the mainland, this is one of the single biggest fixed costs in an Ecuador itinerary, well above what any other stop on a typical trip charges.
