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Ecuador travel tips

Get the best advice from our local experts in Ecuador

Ready to dive into all the details regarding your trip to Ecuador?

Our Destination Experts are here to answer all your questions regarding travel to Ecuador. They’ll also be able to tell you about what to expect during your visit and provide you with tons of tips regarding how to plan your journey!

Metropolitan Touring, with its team of entirely local and highly knowledgeable Destination Experts, prides itself in assisting you, from start to finish, throughout your tour of Ecuador. We’re here to make sure this dream vacation of yours can, and will be, everything it’s meant to be, and more!

Why visit Ecuador in South America?

Ecuador’s central location is the perfect junction from which to set out and experience the continent’s biggest claims to fame—the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon, and the Andes mountains. In addition to these gorgeous regions, Ecuador’s fascinating culture and history never fail to entice visitors to stay even longer.  

Not to mention, Ecuador’s convenient proximity to nearby, complementary destinations—such as Colombia and Peru—make it the perfect jumping-off point for an even more expansive discovery of the continent.

San Mateo Esmeraldas Ecuador

When is the best time to visit Ecuador?

Struggling to decide on when to travel to Ecuador?

Lucky for you that Ecuador is a year-round destination! So don’t linger too long on deciding when to go, because the only variation you’ll encounter throughout the whole year is in the weather patterns experienced across its four distinct regions.

Find out more about Ecuador’s Regional Weather by clicking on the button below!

What makes Ecuador stand out from the rest of Latin American countries?

Ecuador’s central location along the equator makes it one of the best places to start your exploration of Latin America! Not only that, but the country’s relatively small size makes for an easy and convenient exploration of its four vastly different regions. Throughout each of these, you’ll be able to experience one of the highest levels of biodiversity (per square mile) in the world!

Ecuador is also the home to two of the first places to be registered on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the stunning Historic Center of Quito and the majestic Galapagos Islands.

Why visit Quito, Ecuador?

The capital of Ecuador, with its superbly temperate weather, is one of the best starting points to experience nearly everything the country has to offer. It is the second highest capital city in the world, offering sweeping views of the surrounding mountainscapes and a delightful escape into its historical centerone of the most well-preserved UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites in Latin America.  

Is it safe to travel to Ecuador?

Just as you would when traveling to any other country, you want to make good and informed choices regarding your well-being and safety when visiting Ecuador.

Ecuador is a country experiencing growth and transition on many levels. As such, it is a good idea to hire a reliable driver for any day trips you want to do on your own, plan activities with an established tour operator, ask for door-to-door transportation, utilize the services of a recommended local guide, and store your passport and important documents in the hotel room safe. These things are good to keep in mind, no matter where you travel.

When it comes to the integrity of your travel experience, Metropolitan Touring vets our partnering hotels and service providers to guarantee quality and consistency in each of the services and experiences we offer. This way, our travelers can enjoy greater peace of mind throughout their travels. 

Reviews

Have a quick look at what our travelers and guest are saying about us! 

Excellent

Rated 5 out of 5

553 reviews

Molly D.
Molly D.
“La Pinta offered an amazing experience. The entire crew is welcoming, knowledgeable, and focused on safety [...] The naturalists guides are focused on preservation and make every effort to share knowledge around conservation.”
Mimim261
mimim261
"We booked the 5-day western tour of the Galapagos Islands aboard the Isabella Il. The friendly staff on the Isabella Il went above and beyond to make sure everyone was happy [...] The food was excellent with options for everyone and the cabins were comfortable."
Nancy
Nancy
"The trip [to Galapagos, Ecuador and Peru] was seamless, with representatives meeting and guiding us at all stages. The guides were enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. The accommodations were excellent and the included meals were delicious and focused on local specialties."
Doug W
Doug W
"Our custom trip to Quito, the Galapagos and Mashpi Lodge was incredible, one of the best we've ever taken as a family. It took a lot of planning and we tend to be particular but Diego made adjustment after adjustment until we were happy."
AnneSwanVA-USA
First Class in every way--ship, staff, food, naturalists, hikes, information
Our expedition to the Western Galapagos aboard La Pinta was first-class. We saw 12 of the “big 15” species, from giant tortoises to Blue Footed Boobies. The ship offered beautiful cabins, fantastic dining, and glass-bottom boat rides. With excellent service, knowledgeable naturalists, and a demanding yet rewarding itinerary, we highly recommend Metropolitan Touring!
Allison R 
INCREDIBLE!
Our six-night Galápagos cruise on Yacht La Pinta was unforgettable, with smooth booking, excellent service, delicious food, and incredible excursions led by expert naturalists. The yacht’s amenities, including a hot tub and spacious rooms, made it comfortable, while activities like hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and glass-bottom boat rides added variety. Highly recommend Metropolitan Touring!
zacharky38
Galapagos special
The experience was extraordinarily beautiful, truly once-in-a-lifetime and out of this world. Everything was excellently organized with a perfect crew and knowledgeable guides. The service was impeccable, with Eduardo standing out for his exceptional care. Special thanks to Melissa Altamirano for flawlessly arranging this unforgettable trip!
elizabethfA3366RM
Amazing company that exceeded my expectations!
Our four-night trip on Isabella II was amazing! We walked among sea lions, snorkeled with turtles, and enjoyed countless bird sightings. The naturalists engaged wonderfully with my 12-year-old twins, while the attentive crew ensured their safety during activities. Great food, comfy accommodations, and Melissa Altamirano’s stellar planning made it unforgettable!
robertaS4179PD
Wonderful experience!
Our 7-day Western itinerary cruise (June 21-27, 2024) exceeded expectations. The food was exceptional, service superb, and guides highly informative. Wildlife experiences offered great variety, with outstanding cleanliness and unobtrusive safety. The boat provided a smooth, comfortable ride, even in rough seas. Highly recommend this remarkable cruise and its fantastic crew!

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Looking to take the stress out of your Ecuador vacation and travel planning?

Our Destination Experts are here to arrange every little detail and give you the smoothest arrival and departure process available!

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Melissa Altamirano
“Melissa has been fantastic! She answers all my questions, gets back to me quickly, and has mapped out a wonderful trip for us. I couldn’t be happier with the service I have received.” —Mary Kabat
Cotopaxi Ecuador
Are you a Travel Agent?*
Check-in*
Check-out*
At Metropolitan Touring we process the information you provide us with in order to respond to the request made by you in relation to the services we provide and the products we supply. You can exercise the rights of access, rectification and updating of inaccurate data or, where appropriate, request the deletion or elimination, limitation or suspension of the processing of your data or oppose the processing of your data. Contact us at [email protected]