Galápagos wildlife, Andes and Amazon in one small country.
Ecuador is a compact country on the equator with the Andes, the Amazon, the Pacific coast and the Galápagos Islands. It suits nature lovers and active travellers. It is known for the Galápagos, colonial Quito and Cuenca, and volcanoes like Cotopaxi. Distances are short, so you can see a lot in two weeks.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
The Galápagos are volcanic islands with unique wildlife that inspired Darwin. Cruises or island hopping are the main ways to visit.
Quito's old town is one of the best preserved in Latin America. Churches like La Compañía are lavish.
Cotopaxi is a snow-capped volcano in a high park. Hikes reach the refuge.
Quilotoa is a crater lake with emerald water. The Quilotoa Loop links villages.
Cuenca is a colonial city with blue-domed cathedral and riverside walks. Panama hats are made here.
Baños is an adventure town with waterfalls and hot springs. The Pailón del Diablo waterfall is nearby.
Ecuador's Amazon has lodges for wildlife and Indigenous culture. Cuyabeno is a wildlife reserve.
Otavalo has one of South America's largest Indigenous markets. Textiles are the highlight.
The Middle of the World monument marks the equator line. A nearby museum shows experiments.
Chimborazo is the farthest point from Earth's centre. Vicuñas live on its slopes.
Cajas has hundreds of lakes in high moorland. Trails start near the road.
Mindo is a cloud forest known for birds and butterflies. Ziplines are popular.
Ingapirca is Ecuador's largest Inca ruin with a sun temple. It is part of the Qhapaq Ñan route.
Montañita is a surf town on the Pacific coast. It has a backpacker vibe.
Sangay has volcanoes and forests from the Andes to the Amazon. It is remote.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Capital and colonial centre.
history, gateway · Open the city guideIsland base, usually Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz.
wildlife · Open the city guideColonial city.
history · Guide comingAdventure town.
adventure · Guide comingMarket town.
culture · Guide comingAmazon gateway.
nature · Guide comingMain Galapagos town on Santa Cruz.
wildlife, islands · Guide comingBase for Cotopaxi and the Quilotoa Loop.
volcanoes, hiking · Guide comingBase for Chimborazo and the train routes.
mountains, trains · Guide comingVolcanoes and markets.
Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi
Lakes and colonial towns.
Quilotoa, Cuenca, Baños
Rainforest lodges.
Cuyabeno, Tena
Beaches and surf.
Montañita, Puerto López
Unique wildlife.
Santa Cruz, Isabela, San Cristóbal
Volcano alley with high paths and hot springs.
Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Banos
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: June to September. The dry season is best in the Andes.
The Galápagos are warm and calm from about December to May and cooler from June to November; the Amazon is wet year round.
January. Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
71°F daily high, 63°F average, 5.5 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
US State Department Level 2 (exercise increased caution) for crime, terrorism, unrest and kidnapping, with several areas off limits including parts of Guayaquil.
Buses are cheap; domestic flights are needed for the Galápagos.
Good value on the mainland; the Galápagos are expensive.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Check current visa and entry rules on the visa page of Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (cancilleria.gob.ec), and your own government's travel advice, before you book, as rules change. |
| Plugs | Type A, B; 120 V, 60 Hz |
| Tap water | not safe |
| Tipping | About 10 percent in restaurants. |
| Payments | US dollars; carry small notes. |
| Emergency | 911 general |
| Etiquette | Ecuadorians are polite; greet before asking questions. Follow Galápagos park rules strictly. |
| What to wear | Cover shoulders and knees in churches; pack layers for mountain cold. |
| Driving | On the right |
| Between cities | Buses are cheap and frequent; domestic flights go to the Galápagos and Cuenca. Use registered taxis or apps. |
| Main airports | UIO, GYE, GPS, SCY |
| Ride apps | Uber |
The region was home to several cultures and later became part of the Inca Empire. Spain conquered it in the 1530s, and it became independent as part of Gran Colombia in 1822, then separately in 1830. Ecuador adopted the US dollar in 2000. In recent years rising organised crime has affected some cities and coastal areas.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.