BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN ECUADOR

Named after the equator, Ecuador offers tropical beaches, beautiful landscapes, and indigenous marketplaces as well as historical places for those who love to delve into the history of South America. That is why we believe it should be on everyone’s travel list. Because it is a small country, many people believe that there isn’t a variety when it comes to places to visit in Ecuador. However, that is not true! This country’s rich landscape covers the Amazon Jungle,  The Andean Mountain Range, and the world-famous Galapagos Islands. Additionally, its small size makes it a lot easier to tour all these places because they are a short distance from each other. Ecuador has a ten-thousand-mile-wide coastline encompassing its mesmerizing beaches, Amazon Basin’s tropical rainforests, and Andes Mountains. Moreover, it has Colombia and Peru on one side of the border and the mighty Pacific Ocean on the other side. The ecologically important and lush forests make it an ideal attraction for trekkers, adventurers, and nature lovers. If you already have Ecuador on your list of places to visit but aren’t sure where to go within the country, here are some of the most remarkable places to visit in Ecuador.

 

Ecuadorian Andes

The Galapagos Islands

 

The Galapagos Islands must be the first place on most people´s bucket list, and we believe it to be one of the best places to visit in Ecuador. It is Ecuador’s most famous tourist attraction but instead of being on the mainland, it is located a few hundred miles from the coast. The Galapagos Islands were discovered in the 16th Century and since then they have been an intriguing place for thousands of tourists. The Galapagos is a beautiful archipelago of nineteen islands and each island is home to several local and unique wildlife species. Some of these wildlife species include the Blue-Footed and Red-Footed Boobies, Marine Iguanas, Frigate Birds, Giant Tortoises, Christmas Iguanas, Fur Seals, Galapagos Penguin, and Lava Lizards. The islands’ formation is still in progress and is also considered one of the most active regions for volcanos. During the 1950s, most of the larger islands and islets of this archipelago became a part of the Galapagos National Park. This region is considered a fragile ecosystem, hence, it can only be visited via a guided tour. Even then, you can only visit the designated sites. Not all the Galapagos islands are populated, and you can find a few towns on this archipelago that have bars, hotels, and restaurants. These towns include Puerto Ayora, Puerto Villamil, and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

 

The Galapagos Islands

Cuenca

 

The official name of Cuenca is Santa Ana de Los Cuatro Rios de Cuenca, and it is the capital of the Azuay Province. It is located on the Southern side of Ecuador and is famous for many old buildings with a population of 330,000. Just like Quito, Cuenca was also designated UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its colonial and historical architectural treasures dating back four hundred years. Many key attractions lie in the center of the city and out of these, the most important one is the Old Cathedral of Cuenca that was built in 1567. There is also the New Cathedral of Cuenca that was built in the 1960s and which is also worth a visit. Don’t forget to visit the Church of San Sebastian, known for its neoclassical and gothic elements. Cuenca has narrow cobbled streets where white churches and balconied houses are constructed, with their famous interior courtyards. But the best part is that you won’t experience any noise or general pollution and friendly locals makes it one of the best places to visit in Ecuador.

 

The Amazon Basin

 

The Amazon rainforest is the most diverse ecosystem spreading across nine countries and Ecuador is one of them. In Ecuador, the Amazon covers the eastern part of the country including the six provinces of Napo, Pastaza, Morona Santiago, Orellana, Sucumbíos, and Zamora-Chinchipe respectively. Here, you will find a small native community called Pimilacha, where the locals are friendly and welcoming. The Quechua culture and traditions are prominent in this region and the communities continue to prosper. They help travelers experience their unique culture at a local level, they can also stay at the Amazon lodges which is a remote destination. There are numerous species found in the Ecuadorian Amazon. In Yasuni Biosphere Reserve you can find a hundred and fifty amphibian species, two hundred species of mammals, a hundred and twenty-one species of reptiles, three hundred and eighty-two species of fish, and five hundred and ninety-six species of birds. Not only that but there are more than seventy thousand documented species of insects found in this region. Since it’s a treat for animal lovers, this should be on your list of top places to visit in Ecuador, if you are one.

 

Monkeys in The Ecuadorian Amazon

Baños

 

Baños literally means bath, in English and is another Ecuadorian destination you should not skip. The town is nestled among lush green hills, close to snow-capped volcanos, rapid rivers, and hot springs. Every year, it is the location that persuades thousands of adventure travelers to have some fun. Baños is a prototype of a backpacker's town, with plenty of cheaper eateries, reasonably priced hostels, and tour agencies on every corner. Still, it feels very relaxed, and even if you do not consider yourself a backpacker, you will find here services that match your needs. Baños got its name after several springs bubbling out of the ground, and hot springs are actually one of the main reasons to travel here. The main activities are biking La Ruta de as Cascadas or hiking to Casa del Arbol, which is one of the best-rated spots in Baños because of the famous extreme tree swing that offers amazing photo opportunities. Baños is one of the most visited destinations in the country, despite the unpredictable condition of the Tungurahua volcano towering above the town to the south. Indeed, Tungurahua’s unpredictability is something of a draw in itself, with tourists flocking to high vantage points on cloudless nights to watch it spit lava and igneous rocks into the sky like fireworks.

 

Quito 

 

As many natural wonders as Ecuador has to offer, it is also full of fascinating cities too. Quito, Ecuador’s capital city and international travel hub, is a place where most Ecuador vacations begin or end. Quito´s heritage can still be seen in the historic city center, largely praised as one of the most authentic and best-preserved areas in South America. The area even earned the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The most famous cathedral in Ecuador is Basilica del Voto Nacional. This site is a top attraction due to its religious significance, architecture, and panoramic views of Quito.

 

Quito, Ecuador

Chimborazo National Park

 

This 6263-meter-high volcano towers above the city of Riobamba, where you can easily spend a couple of days; just make sure you'll spice up your travels and visit Chimborazo National Park at least for a day. One of the coolest things to do in Ecuador is cycle down Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest mountain. Of course, biking is not your only option.  You can drive up to 4850 meters above sea level by car, hike in the park, and if you are experienced enough, you can even climb to the top! The scenery in the national park is spectacular, and it is cool to watch how the flora changes when descending from 4850 meters to 3100 meters. 

 

Chimborazo Volcano

 

These are just some of the amazing places to visit in Ecuador. Contact us here for more information if this has whetted your appetite for an adventure in Ecuador!