Discover Ecuador’s remarkable nature, history, culture, art, and cuisine surrounded by the epic volcanoes of the Andes Mountains, the gorgeous beaches of the Pacific Coast, the lush rainforests of the Andean Chocó, the remarkable tributaries of the Amazon, and the unbelievable species of the Galapagos Islands.
Ecuador is a magical country in South America. Though relatively small, it is culturally and biologically diverse, offering unparalleled treasures everywhere you go. Enjoy each region to its fullest; from its climate to its culture and everything in between. Each place has a story, and you’ll love getting to know these iconic destinations.
Based on the feedback from our experts, guides, and guests, the following are our Best Places to Visit in Ecuador (in addition to the Galapagos), so make sure at least one of the following is included in your itinerary!
Quito has an impressive Historic Quarter that was among the first to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Old Town, you can visit and learn about the Presidential Palace and the value of Ecuador’s Colonial-era art and architecture, which is on full display in the many churches, museums, and picturesque streets like La Ronda.
The Andean Chocó is one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet. The Chocó is a “biodiversity hotspot” and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Because of the altitude, climate, and vegetation, the area is host to several fascinating and delicate ecosystems that are teeming with life, much of which is endemic to the region. The lush verdant forests are a focus of many research and conservation efforts.
Cuenca has it all! History and archaeology, music and dance, language and lore, literature and gastronomy, architecture and arts-and-crafts, a bustling street life and a booming culinary scene. Culture courses through this southern Andean gem of a city that has long been hailed as the “Athens of Ecuador”, where the Panama hat was first created. Its Historical Center was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1999. So, explore!
You can pick and choose from our itinerary ideas, but tours can be combined to your liking. Ask about our list of full-day tours in the city and its surroundings.
The indigenous Otavaleños are recognized the world over for their high-quality textiles, fine handicrafts, music, and dance. Every week, the main plaza of Otavalo transforms into one of the most popular markets in the entire country, where visitors from all over the world come to find that perfect gift or colorful souvenir, and maybe try their hand at haggling.
Guayaquil is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Pacific.” It is Ecuador’s largest city and functions as one of the most important ports in South America. Visitors can enjoy all of the culture, cuisine, nature, history, activities, and nightlife that Guayaquil and its surroundings have to offer.
Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano located in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador. At 19,347 feet (5,897 meters), it is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. The volcano has a unique conical shape and is surrounded by stunning landscapes, including the Cotopaxi National Park.
The Enchanted Isles are home to wildlife you won’t see anywhere else. They and their surrounding waters comprise two protected areas: the Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The Park certifies naturalist guides to lead small expedition groups on excursions throughout the archipelago.
The world is so agitated with the immediacy and thousands of occupations, forgetting to enjoy nature, the peace it gives you, the ability to explore and feel biodiversity, and the moment of learning to live from an unforgettable experience.
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This small, secret rooftop of the restored Casa Gangotena mansion peers over Plaza San Francisco in the center of Quito’s colonial Old Town, the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Order a Cedrón Spritz, a refreshing mix of rum, lemon, sparkling wine, and fresh lemon verbena (cedrón) syrup and leaf, then revel in the mesmerizing, real-time montage of daily life in Ecuador’s capital as it parades past.
A Font of information, Klaus has spent decades in the field, leading tours in the Amazon, Andes and Galapagos Islands. He hung up his guiding boots a few years back and now creates itineraries for the tour operator, Metropolitan Touring. Adrift in the Pacific Ocean, hundreds of miles from mainland South America, Galapagos is one of the most biodiverse locales on Earth.
Santa Cruz II is a replacement for the much-loved Santa Cruz, which plied the waters of the Galapagos for 36 years. It is not a new ship; it was built in 2002 and sailed as Mare Australis under the Australis cruise brand, operating expedition cruises around Cape Horn and to Antarctica. Metropolitan Touring bought the ship in 2015 and completely refurbished it, launching it as Santa Cruz II in October 2015.
When this modern, minimalist, glass-walled jungle lodge opened in 2012, it changed the accommodation game in South America. Arquitect Alfredo Ribadeneira’s “protective cocoon” would impress in a modern city; in the depths of an Andean cloudforest, it is wild, audacious and beautiful. Though only 70 miles from Quito, Maspi Lodge sits in splendid isolation, perched on a cliff at the end of an unsealed road.
Itinerario de 5 días / 4 noches: Basado en la tarifa regular (4214 USD + impuestos por persona)
Itinerario de 7 días / 6 noches: Basado en la tarifa regular (5672 USD + impuestos por persona)
No reembolsable. Aplica únicamente para residentes ecuatorianos en nuevas reservas directas realizadas, hasta el 30 de junio del 2022, con un ejecutivo de ventas del hotel. Válido para estadías hasta el 31 de agosto de 2022. No puede ser combinada con otros descuentos, promociones u ofertas. El descuento no aplica para otros servicios. El precio no incluye recargo de combustible de $20 por noche de crucero.
