Visit Ecuador: an itinerary across the Andes, Amazon and Galápagos

Within a few hours' drive, Ecuador moves from Andean markets to volcanic craters and on to the rivers of the Amazon. A two-hour flight then takes you to the Galápagos, where sea lions, marine iguanas and giant tortoises live unafraid of visitors.
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Why travel to Ecuador?

Ecuador is one of the most compact countries in South America, making it possible to combine the Andes and the Amazon in two weeks. Above all, it is the gateway to the Galápagos, a UNESCO-listed archipelago whose wildlife inspired Darwin's theory of evolution. The country uses the US dollar.

What to discover in Ecuador?

Quito and the northern Sierra

Set at around 2,850 metres, the capital, Quito, has one of the first historic centres listed by UNESCO, in 1978, with baroque churches and colonial squares. The Mitad del Mundo monument lies about 25 kilometres north. Allow two days, partly to adjust to the altitude. The Otavalo market, around two hours away by road, is busiest on Saturdays. Further north, the border area with Colombia is advised against by the French foreign ministry: do not go beyond Otavalo and Ibarra.

The Avenue of Volcanoes

South of Quito, the Pan-American Highway runs between a double line of peaks that Humboldt named the Avenue of Volcanoes. Cotopaxi, an active 5,897-metre volcano, is explored from its national park, about 1 h 30 from the capital, with access regulated according to its activity. The Quilotoa crater lake can be seen on a day trip or on a three- to four-day village-to-village loop on foot. Chimborazo, at 6,263 metres, closes the line. Pack warm layers: mornings near 0 °C are common above 4,000 metres.

Baños and the waterfall route

At the foot of Tungurahua volcano, Baños is the outdoor hub of the central Sierra: rafting, canyoning, mountain biking and thermal baths. It sits around 3 h 30 by road from Quito. The road down towards Puyo strings together a series of waterfalls as far as the Pailón del Diablo, about 18 kilometres away, which many travellers ride on rented bikes before returning by pickup truck. Two to three nights are enough. The town is also the gateway to the Amazon via Puyo and Tena.

Cuenca and the southern Andes

Ecuador's third city, Cuenca keeps a colonial centre listed by UNESCO in 1999, at around 2,550 metres, with tiled roofs, a cathedral crowned by blue domes and workshops weaving toquilla straw hats. Cajas National Park and its hundreds of lagoons is about 45 minutes away by road, and the Inca site of Ingapirca around two hours. Plan three days. Further south, Loja and the Vilcabamba valley lead towards the border with Peru, which some travellers cross overland.

The Ecuadorian Amazon

The Oriente covers nearly half of the country. Two gateways stand out: Tena, around five hours by road from Quito, for rafting on the Napo and community-based stays, and Coca, about 30 minutes by air, from where canoes take several hours to reach the lodges of Yasuní National Park. Allow at least four days, as transfers take time. Rain falls all year round: bring boots, long clothing and repellent, and ask a doctor about the yellow fever vaccine.

The Galápagos Islands

Lying around 1,000 kilometres offshore, the archipelago is reached by air from Quito or Guayaquil. There are two ways to visit: a cruise, which reaches the remote islands, or a land-based stay on Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela with day trips. One week is a sensible minimum. From December to May the water is warmer and the sea calmer; from June to November the Humboldt Current cools the water but brings more marine life. A national park entrance fee is charged on arrival.

The Pacific coast and Guayaquil, advised against

Following a sharp rise in drug-related crime, the French foreign ministry advises against travel, unless essential, to the coastal provinces (Esmeraldas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Guayas, El Oro, Los Ríos and Santo Domingo), as well as Guayaquil and its surroundings, which accounted for about 40% of the country's homicides in 2024. A new state of exception was declared there in September 2026. For now this rules out Puerto López and its whale-watching trips from June to September. If your Galápagos flight goes through Guayaquil, make the connection without spending the night in the city.

Cities to visit in Ecuador

Featured destinations appear first.
Quito

Quito

Perched at 2,850 m below Pichincha volcano, Quito hides one of Latin America's best preserved colonial centers among its hills, a few kilometers from the equator line.
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Ecuador's must-sees

Ten sites that show the country's range, from Quito's gilded churches to the volcanic beaches of the Galápagos.

La Compañía Church

Jesuit church in central Quito whose baroque nave is covered entirely in gold leaf, often cited among the richest church interiors in Latin America.

Mitad del Mundo

Monument marking the equator line north of Quito, complemented by the Intiñan museum and its playful demonstrations of the two hemispheres.

Quilotoa Lagoon

Turquoise-green crater lake at nearly 3,900 metres, which you can follow along the rim trail or reach by hiking down to the bottom.

Cotopaxi National Park

High plateau dominated by the snowcapped cone of Cotopaxi, with Limpiopungo lagoon, wild horses and trails leading up towards the refuge.

Otavalo Market

Major Andean craft market on the Plaza de los Ponchos, known for woollen textiles, hammocks and jewellery, and at its fullest on Saturdays.

Pailón del Diablo

Powerful waterfall on the Baños to Puyo road, where stairs and walkways take you very close, even behind the curtain of water.

Ingapirca Ruins

Ecuador's main Inca archaeological site, whose Temple of the Sun in fitted stone also reflects the earlier presence of the Cañari people.

Cajas National Park

High-altitude páramo dotted with glacial lagoons and polylepis woodland, ideal for half-day hikes close to Cuenca.

Charles Darwin Station

Research centre in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz, devoted to the conservation of giant tortoises and the archipelago's ecosystems.

Mindo Cloud Forest

A high-altitude rainforest about two hours' drive west of Quito, known for its hummingbirds, orchids and zip lines above the canopy.

Frequently asked questions about Ecuador

In the Galápagos, is a cruise better than staying on Santa Cruz and Isabela?
A cruise reaches remote islands such as Genovesa or Fernandina and sails at night, but costs considerably more. A land-based stay on the inhabited islands, with day trips, is more flexible and more affordable. One week is enough for either option.
How many days should I spend in Quito before hiking Quilotoa or Cotopaxi?
Spend at least two days in Quito, at around 2,850 metres, before going above 3,800 metres. Drink plenty of water, limit alcohol in the first days and walk slowly. If headaches persist, head back down rather than pushing on.
Do you have to go through Guayaquil to reach the Galápagos?
Not necessarily. Flights leave from Quito or Guayaquil for Baltra and San Cristóbal, and those from Quito often stop in Guayaquil. As Guayaquil is advised against unless essential, favour a departure from Quito or a direct connection, without a night in the city.
Should you cycle the Baños waterfall route?
It is the most popular option: the road runs mostly downhill to the Pailón del Diablo, about 18 kilometres away, and pickup trucks bring riders and bikes back to Baños. Some stretches go through tunnels shared with trucks, so use the bypasses provided for cyclists.
Which parts of Ecuador are travellers advised to avoid?
The French foreign ministry strongly advises against the Colombian border zone and, unless essential, the coastal provinces, Guayaquil, Santo Domingo and Nueva Loja, except for organised transit to Cuyabeno or Yasuní. The rest of the country is under heightened vigilance, the Galápagos under normal vigilance. Check the advice before leaving.
Does the Panama hat really come from Ecuador?
Yes. The hat is woven in Ecuador from toquilla straw, notably in Montecristi and around Cuenca. It owes its name to being distributed through Panama in the 19th century. Traditional toquilla straw weaving is listed as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
For the Amazon, should you go via Coca or Tena?
Coca, about 30 minutes by air from Quito, leads to the remote lodges of Yasuní, ideal for wildlife but more expensive. Tena is around five hours by road and better suits tight budgets, rafting and stays with Kichwa communities.
Which dollar notes should you take to Ecuador?
Ecuador has used the US dollar since 2000, so there is no exchange to make if you already hold some. Favour small notes: 50 and 100 dollar bills are often refused for fear of counterfeits. ATMs work well in the cities.
How long does it take to get from Quito to Cuenca?
The direct flight takes about an hour. By road, allow around ten hours by bus. Many travellers break the journey along the Avenue of Volcanoes, with stops in Latacunga, Quilotoa, Baños or Riobamba, seeing the volcanoes on the way.

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