Despite it’s relatively small size, there’s a lot to like about Ecuador. First and foremost it’s a country of wonderful landscapes and nature. From the Andes mountains that run the length of the country to the Amazon rainforest in the east and the Galapagos Islands in the west. It’s also a country of beautiful towns and cities, many featuring an array of excellent colonial era buildings. Last but by no means least, the country is home to many wonderful people with Ecuadorian’s some of the most friendly people in Latin America. It all makes Ecuador a very special and unique destination to visit.
Almost every visit to Ecuador starts in the capital Quito, unless you’re arriving overland from Peru. The countries capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a great introduction to the country. However Quito isn’t Ecuador’s only fine city with both Banos and Cuenca giving it a run for its money. The centre of the latter is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Throughout the length of the country there’s the mighty Andes mountains, creating spectacular vistas and enabling some epic train journeys. There’s also no shortage of mountain hiking to enjoy or volcanos to explore. There’s also the lush rainforests of the east to explore.
However what makes Ecuador more than just a very good location is the spectacular Galapagos Islands. The inspiration for Darwin’s epic ‘On the Origin of Species’, the Galapagos are a set of remote island in the Pacific Ocean. They are a destination unlike any other in the world. This volcanic archipelago is home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world, much of it endemic to just the islands themselves. So if you want to see giant tortoises, unique crabs, iguanas and birds, or flora you’ll find nowhere else in the world, get planning your trip today.
Ecuador is located on the western flank of South America. One of the continents smaller countries, it is sandwiched between Colombia to the north and Peru to the south and east. To the west is the Pacific Ocean and the Galapagos Islands, which lie some 600 miles offshore. The country lies across the equator and measures 444 miles in length and 409 miles in width.
The best time to visit Ecuador is largely governed by your reason for visiting. The countries dry season runs between May and September and while the days are dry and bright, they can also be quite cool. This is especially true at altitude. So while this is a good time for hiking it’s not a great time to visit the Galapagos or the beach. The wet season runs from October to April and the early part of this is considered the best time to visit the Galapagos. The period December through April is considered best for visiting the beach and coastal areas. Despite the higher rainfall, the better summer temperatures make it a better all round experience.
Ecuador historic cities and the natural world dominate the best things to do in Ecuador. From beaches to rainforest and volcanos to lakes there is so much to explore in this epic land. We’ve focused our highlights on these twin areas and we’d highly recommend squeezing in as many of them as you can into any trip to Ecuador.
From one of the highest capital cities in the world to the coastal cities in the west, Ecuador has a great selection of cities to visit. Most of them seamlessly blend colonial era buildings with more modern designs.
Our top 5 cities to visit in Ecuador are:
Volcanos, great lakes, glaciers, rainforest, beaches, there’s really not any landscape that Ecuador doesn’t offer. Regardless of where you visit in the country, great hiking and natural beauty aren’t far away.
Our top 5 natural attractions in Ecuador are:
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