When you think about travelling to Ecuador, what’s the first draw that comes to mind for why you’d travel there? If The Galapagos pops into your mind, you’re not the only one. Ecuador is a small country in South America, bordered by Peru and Colombia and is packed with natural beauty, history and opportunities for adventure. Ecuador was never top of my list but when I started travelling South America, I fell in love with the culture of the continent and became increasingly curious about all of the countries there. Ecuador blew me away with everything it has to offer and I know you’ll love it too!
Here are five reasons to visit Ecuador and a travel guide to inspire you and help you plan your itinerary:
History in Quito
A lot of people skip Quito en route to elsewhere but it’s a capital city that’s worth exploring. It has one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas which is what made it land on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The well-preserved colonial-era buildings, from churches to monasteries, and plazas are an example of a style that fuses European and indigenous architecture which defined this city in the 16th and 17th centuries.
What makes it even more special is it is nestled in a valley among mountains and volcanoes so the views from every corner are unparalleled.
What to do:
A walking tour with a local guide - I learned so much from the local guide about the history of the city and country, the current culture and traditions and about the people. Seeing the city through the eyes of a local is so impactful and makes for a meaningful and memorable experience of the city (plus they point out things you wouldn’t notice walking around on your own)
Ride the Teleferiqo – join the commuters on the cable car 12,00 feet into the sky for amazing views of the city (and volcanoes if it’s a clear day)
Take a stroll on La Ronda Street – this little neighbourhood is cute and colurful and along the two blocks you’ll find boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, bars and hotels. Some of the city’s cultural activities take place here so walking down will give you a feel of the heritage of Ecuador. And if you’re looking for nightlife, this area comes alive after dark
Straddle the Equator at the Middle of the World Monument– we know the Equator runs through Quito but the exact location has been up for debate in the science world for a long time. Mitad del Mundo is just outside of the centre of Quito and is said to be the exact location. It’s a bit touristy but pretty cool to check out – you can do the egg test to see if the gravity proves you’re at the dividing line
Have a coffee in Plaza Grande – this is a gathering spot for people in the city so you have to go and soak in the bustling atmosphere (especially if you love people watching)
Wildlife in the Galapagos Islands
This is the first (and sometimes only) place people put on their Ecuador itinerary so it’s an obvious one but we’d be remiss not to mention it. This is an incredible place for wildlife lovers and is unlike anywhere else on Earth, renowned for the high number of endemic species and the critical part this region played for Charles Darwin formulating his theory of evolution by natural selection.
You can island hop and stay on land or book a multi-day cruise to hop around the islands. Each island has a unique landscape from bright blue water and white sandy beaches to barren black volcanic rocks.
Explore the Andean highlands
A scenic region in the country, the highlands are at an elevation of over 2,200m and offer breathtaking views and nature experiences. A lot of the heritage has been preserved in this area which you can see through what people wear, the language and the food. The mountain range runs North to South and is distinguished by tall mountain peaks, volcanoes, and snow-capped summits. Between the beautiful city of Cuenca and gorgeous scenery in Cajas National Park, I think this region is one of Ecuador’s best kept secrets.
Things to do:
Put your hiking boots on for The Parque Nacional Cajas – this park feels like a fairytale. You’ll walk through forests and around pristine mountain lakes, find hummingbirds and wild alpacas. The park has 786 lakes, lagoons and ponds, interesting plants and various birds and mammals. You can go on your own but I recommend going with a naturalist to learn about the fascinating ecosystem in this park
Stay in Cuenca – this stunning city feels like a small town with its relaxed vibe, pedestrian friendly cobblestone streets but by population it is Ecuador’s third biggest city. Walk around the UNESCO-listed postcard pretty city, check out the markets and have a drink at one of the rooftop balconies. This is the perfect place to base yourself for exploring the Andes.
Go to the Panama Hat museum – many people think these iconic, handwoven straw hats originate in Panama when in fact, the art of weaving the traditional Ecuadorian toquilla hat originates in Ecuador. The name came to be because the hats were being shipped to Panama before being distributed to other parts of the world and were worn by workers during the construction of the Panama Canal.
Get wild in the Amazon
The Amazon is known as the lungs of the Earth because it produces more than 20% of the world’s oxygen and it spans 9 countries, staggering 2.5 million square miles. It encompasses nearly half of Ecuador’s area, teems with wildlife, and any trek into the jungle will bring you to beautiful flora and fauna. The rainforest in Ecuador is home to over 300 species of mammals, 800 species of fish, 1600 species of birds, and 350 species of reptiles and several indigenous groups.
Things to do:
- Stay in a remote jungle lodge for a real break from it all – no city noise and no WiFi
- Ride a canoe up and down the calm and glassy river and watch the wild scenes go by
- Hike trails to see the incredible plants (and hopefully wildlife) – this is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet so I’m sure you’ll get lucky
Savour Ecuadorian cuisine
Ecuador probably isn’t the first destination that comes to mind when you’re thinking about foodie destinations but they are putting themselves on the global map. Chefs are using traditional methods and dishes and ingredients found locally and adding a unique twist to the dish for a contemporary take on traditional dishes.
Food to try:
Ceviche – Ecuador and Peru are rivals in the who has better ceviche game and the only way to find out is you have to try them both. Ecuadorian ceviche is usually made with shrimp, marinated in a tangy sauce of citrus, tomatoes and onions and served with thin plantain chips and popcorn. Try it when you’re on the coast
Bolon de verde – considered the national dish of the country, this is a ball of dough on the outside (made of mashed green plantains) with pork and cheese inside and pan-fried. You’ll usually see people having this for breakfast.
Enocado de Pescado – this traditional dish is made of fish (usually Covina) in a distinct coconut sauce and served with white rice and fried plantains.
Locro de Papa – aka potato soup which is to die for. It’s a thick soup with cheese, onions, garlic and annatto, a spice found in South America. They serve it topped with avocado and toasted corn.
Humita – this simple dish is similar to tamales with steamed masa and corn, enveloped in a banana leaf with eggs, onions and cheese. You’ll often find these sold on street food carts.
Ecuador offers a variety of experiences for every type of traveller and is a country you’ll want to go back to again and again.
Things you should know before travelling to Ecuador:
Language: the official language is Spanish with Quichua used in Indigenous communities, especially in the Andes region. English is spoken by people who work in tourism but not as widely as you’d want so it’s a good idea to pick up some basic Spanish phrases
Currency: Ecuador uses the US dollar
Electricity: The electrical current used in Ecuador is 110V 60 Hz, and uses the standard two-prong sockets used in the United States
When to go: High tourist season and dry season in most of the country is June through September. The shoulder season is May, October and November
Ecuador’s tourism is generally low compared to other countries in the region (with the exception of the Galapagos) so you shouldn’t feel overwhelmed travelling in the “high” season.
The highlands (Andes), coast, Amazon, and the Galapagos are all vastly different climates and experience different types of weather. Consider this when planning your trip
Altitude: Quito is one of the highest cities in the world and you may experience altitude sickness here and in the mountain regions. Be prepared and give yourself time to acclimate and drink plenty of water
Ready to plan your trip? Email travel@origin-travels.com to get started on your customized itinerary.