Ecuador Travelers Recommend

Encompassing more than 55 islands, Galapagos is a warm-climate getaway that’s home to staggering biodiversity. Here’s how to make the most of three days on Charles Darwin’s favourite islands.

Day 1: Santa Cruz

As Galapagos’ most-populated island, Santa Cruz makes a great base for exploring the archipelago. Kickstart your trip with a morning tour of the island, which typically visit beaches and rock formations, and give you the chance to spot sea lions, sea turtles, pelicans, dog crabs, and golden rays. Some tours also include time to snorkel in Tortuga Bay or with the sea lions of La Lobería.

After lunch, head to the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora for an orientation in Galapagos geology and ecology; you’ll also see Galapagos tortoises at the breeding center. As the sun begins to set, pull up a chair at one of Puerto Ayora’s al fresco restaurants for a cocktail and some ceviche, a local specialty of citrus-marinated raw fish.

Day 2: Floreana

This morning, set sail for Floreana island, a popular day trip destination just south of Santa Cruz. Tours tend to include a speedboat ride across the Pacific Ocean in addition to time to swim at Black Beach—home to marine iguanas, Galapagos sea turtles, and giant rays—and a short history lesson at Post Office Bay, once used by 18th-century whalers to leave letters for passing ships to deliver to their families. During the journey there, keep your eyes peeled for pods of dolphins or a passing whale. If you’d rather stay on Santa Cruz, consider a day trip to the Santa Cruz Highlands to sea Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitats.

Day 3: Choose an Island

Santa Cruz is within day trip distance of several worthy Galapagos destinations. Head to Bartolome to hike to a volcanic outcrop and capture panoramic views of the surrounding islands, which are home to penguins and white-tipped reef sharks, or take a boat trip to North Seymour Island, where it’s possible to spot frigate birds, the iconic blue-footed boobies, and land iguanas.

If you’d like to see multiple islands in a single day, opt for an excursion to Santa Fe and South Plaza Islands. The former is home to land iguanas, sea lions, and several endemic species, while the latter is known for its diverse bird life, which encompasses swallow-tailed and lava gulls, frigate birds, masked and blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and red-tailed tropicbirds.

Quito, the Ecuadorian capital, enjoys stellar scenery and a historic city center that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a destination in its own right and an excellent base for exploring other parts of Ecuador. Here are some recommendations for how best to spend three days in this Andean city.

Day 1: City Highlights

Quito’s beautifully preserved colonial center deserves at least half a day of exploration, so start things off with a tour through these historic streets. Venture out on your own aboard the convenient hop-on hop-off bus, or join a guided private or small-group tour to cover more ground in less time. No matter how you choose to explore, don’t miss Independence Plaza, the imposing Basilica of the National Vow (Basílica del Voto Nacional), Governor’s Palace, and the gilded interior of La Compañia church. After lunch, some tours continue on to the surrounding hills, visiting either El Panecillo to see the statue of the Virgin Mary that towers over the capital or the Teleferico Quito, a gondola to the top of the Pichincha volcano for some of the best views over the city. To complete your exploration of Quito, spend your evening wandering along pedestrian Calle La Ronda; grab dinner at one of the restaurants along the street.  

Day 2: History, Food, Culture

Now that you’ve had an overview of what Quito has to offer, you’ll have time today to dig deeper into your own personal interests. Foodies might want to sign up for a hands-on cooking class to learn about how traditional Andean dishes are prepared; most classes include a chef-guided visit to a local market to pick out ingredients. Those with an interest in history should visit some of the city’s excellent museums. Admire religious art at the Fray Pedro Gocial Museum or pre-Columbian art at Casa del Alabado, or learn more about Ecuador’s fight for independence at the Museo Alberto Mena Caamaño. End the day with a dinner show put on by the Ecuadorian National Folklore Ballet to enjoy dancing, music, and costumes from a diverse range of Andean cultures.

Day 3: Markets and Volcanoes

You’ve explored the streets of Quito, now it’s time to head out of town and experience a bit more of Ecuador. There’s a day trip for just about every interest. Cotopaxi National Park with its eponymous conical volcano is popular with adventure travelers, while the artisan market in Otavalo appeals to shoppers with its range of handwoven textiles and other handmade goods. Get off the beaten path with a day trip to the cloud forests of Mindo, an area known as one of the most biodiverse on the planet, or spend the day soaking in natural hot springs with spectacular mountain views at a thermal spa in Papallacta. Upon your return to Quito, top off your stay with a walking food tour that includes some of the city’s best spots.

Quito ranks among South America’s most scenic capitals, and with two days to spend in the city, you’ll have enough time to wander its colonial heart, take in its panoramic views, and dig deeper into its culture and culinary heritage. Read on for tips on how to spend the ultimate 48 hours in Quito. 

Day 1: Around Town

**Morning:**This morning, orient yourself with a sightseeing tour of colonial Quito. The compact Centro Historico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to numerous points of interest, including the Governor’s Palace, basilica, San Francisco Church, and gilded La Compañia Church. Go at your own pace with a ride on the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus.

**Afternoon:**This afternoon, head up to the hills for some of the best panoramic views over Quito. You have two main options (one or the other is often included in full-day city tours): El Panecillo with its hilltop statue of the Virgin Mary or the Pichincha volcano, accessible via the Teleferico Quito gondola.

**Night:**After a day of sightseeing, nothing beats a cold beer. Reward yourself this evening with a craft-beer tour to some of the city’s best breweries. Learn more about beer’s rich history in Ecuador, as well as how beer is made in Quito’s modern brewing facilities. If you’re not a beer drinker, opt for a walking food tour of the old city instead.

Day 2: Food and Culture

**Morning:**Learn all about Andean cuisine during a morning Ecuadorian cooking class. Most of these hands-on classes include a visit to the market to pick out ingredients, followed by a chef-led class where you’ll learn to prepare traditional dishes such as potato cheese soup, fish in coconut sauce, tamales, or empanadas. Dine on your creations for lunch.

**Afternoon:**Put one foot in each hemisphere with a quick half-day trip to Ecuador’s Middle of the World (Mitad del Mundo). Snap a photo at the equatorial line and learn more about the influence of the Earth’s poles at the Intiñan Museum.

**Night:**Celebrate the end of your time in Quito tonight with a live performance by the Ecuadorian National Folkloric Ballet. These shows feature traditional costume, dance, and music from a range of Andean cultures. Upgrade your experience to include an Andean dinner and drink before the show starts.

Ecuador’s capital city is a South American gem, filled with colonial architecture, surrounded by mountain peaks, and blessed with a mild climate year-round. Even if you only have limited time in Quito, you’ll still be able to enjoy the highlights. Here are some ideas for how to make the most of your 24 hours.

Morning: Colonial Quito

Start your day with a sightseeing tour of Quito for an introduction to the capital’s history, culture, and well-preserved colonial architecture. Walking tours of the historic city center typically include visits to Independence Plaza, the Archbishop’s Palace, gilded La Compañía church, and the Church and Monastery of St. Francis. Cover more ground (and explore at your own pace) aboard the Quito hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. The 11 stops around town include the Botanical Gardens of Quito, El Ejido craft market, the imposing basilica, and foodie-friendly La Ronda.

Afternoon: El Panecillo and Mitad del Mundo

No trip to Quito would be complete without a visit to the top of El Panecillo, a prominent hill topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary standing watch over the city. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Cotopaxi volcano. Many city sightseeing tours make a stop here in the afternoon before heading just outside the city to another notable landmark, Mitad del Mundo. The Middle of the World Monument sits near the equatorial line—a popular spot for a photo op with one foot in either hemisphere. Alternatively, head to another Quito vantage point by riding the Teleferico Quito gondola to the top of the Pichincha volcano.

Night: Foodie Tour

This evening, join a local foodie for a tasting tour on foot through Quito’s Old Town. Learn about local food and culinary history as you sample specialties such as mote con chicharrón (corn with fried pork), empanadas, and salchipapas (fries with sliced sausage on top). Alternatively, catch a performance by the Ecuadorian National Folkloric Ballet over a dinner of haute Andean cuisine.

Though commonly associated with Mexico, the Day of the Dead is celebrated in many Central and South American countries, including Ecuador, where it’s known as Día de los Difuntos (Day of the Deceased). From traditional festive foods to graveside offerings, here’s what you can expect from Day of the Dead celebrations in the capital city of Quito. 

When to Go

Ecuador’s Day of the Dead is a national holiday when citizens pay respects to those who have passed away. The holiday takes place on November 2, which coincides with the Catholic feast of All Souls’ Day, though you’ll see evidence of the upcoming Day of the Dead festivities, such as seasonal pastries and drinks, in the weeks leading up to this date. 

Where to Go

Day of the Dead celebrations in Quito center around cemeteries, with families gathering beside the graves of loved ones. Though there are celebrations in the city center, more traditional festivities often take place in rural or indigenous communities such as Calderón and Otavalo.  

Ways to Celebrate

Most families hold vigils at the tombs of their loved ones, often adorning their graves with flower arrangements, candles, and decorative figurines made from bread dough. Head to one of Quito’s cemeteries or the cemetery in Calderón, about 30 minutes from Quito, to observe families celebrating the memory of the departed. 

In the weeks leading up to the Day of the Dead, you’ll see guagua de pan (a sweet bread roll decorated to resemble a baby or doll) and colada morada (a hot beverage made from blue or black corn flour, berries, and other fruits) for sale across Quito. Be sure to taste these festive specialties, which are as essential to Ecuador’s Day of the Dead as chocolate eggs are to Easter, or apples and honey are to Rosh Hashanah. 

The 19 main islands and numerous smaller isles of the Galapagos archipelago present a unique microcosm for some of the world’s more spectacularly diverse creatures, with a biodiversity unlike anywhere else on earth. Here’s what you need to know about island hopping through this natural wonderland that inspired Charles Darwin.

Day Trips

While most Galapagos visitors tour the islands aboard a multi-day cruise, it’s also possible to sleep on dry land and visit various points of interest within the UNESCO World Heritage–listed national park on day trips from one of the four inhabited islands: San Cristobal, Isabela, Floreana, and Santa Cruz. Options include observing the flamingos and finches of beachy Tortuga Bay, and sailing past the sea lions, sea turtles, and white-tipped reef sharks of Loberia Island.

Multi-Day Tours

The biological and geological diversity of the Galapagos Islands are staggering, and the best way to take it all in is during a multi-day tour, usually aboard a boat. Tours range from four to eight days, with visits to some of the archipelago’s most iconic destinations. The tour and activity options are plentiful: Observe flamingos in Flamingo Lagoon, hike up Sierra Negra Volcano, see Galapagos tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station, kayak past marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins in the bay of Puerto Villamil, or snorkel in the calm waters of Los Tuneles.

Things to Know

• Galapagos National Park visitors must be accompanied by a certified tour guide.

• Stay on land and day trip to the park, or opt for a multi-day cruise.

• Island hopping tours through the Galapagos Islands range from four to eight days.

• Don’t forget your camera—these islands are teeming with wildlife photo ops.

Three days in Cuenca give you time to soak up the culinary and cultural highlights of the UNESCO-listed historic center, and explore El Cajas National Park and beyond. Here’s how to make the most of three days in one of Ecuador’s most laid-back and livable cities.

Day 1: Discover Cuenca’s Colonial Charms

Get your bearings in Cuenca on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, most of which depart from Parque Calderón and allow you to create your own itinerary. Disembark at the Old and New Cathedrals, and the Cuenca museums that most interest you—the Panama Hat Museum is an essential destination for fashion and history buffs while food lovers won’t want to miss the city’s many excellent chocolate shops.

Alternatively, take a more structured tour of Cuenca; shared, private, walking, biking, and colonial-themed options are available. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a show in the historic center—the Cuenca Symphony Orchestra often perform in the Old Cathedral.

Day 2: Take a Cultural Day Trip

On your second day in Cuenca, take a day trip to the surrounding towns and villages. Combine a visit to the Ingapirca archaeological ruins with a thrilling ride on the Devil’s Nose Train, or if you’d prefer to do some souvenir shopping, head to the artisanal towns of Gualaceo, Chordeleg, and San Bartolomé. Some full-day excursions combine stops at these crafty villages with a visit to Ingapirca for a more general interest full-day excursion.  

You can also go souvenir shopping in Cuenca in the company of a guide, ideal for those who find marketplaces overwhelming. Shopping tours tend to explore the Mercado 10 de Agosto while some also include a cooking class. 

Day 3: Get Back to Nature in El Cajas National Park

After two days of strolling and shopping, up the ante on your final day with a full-day trip to El Cajas National Park, which typically include convenient round-trip transportation. Excursions are typically accessible for all ability levels, meaning that your entire party can enjoy the sweeping panoramas, opportunity to see llamas in their natural habitat, and endemic flora of El Cajas National Park.

However, more advanced hikers can opt for specialized tours which incorporate hikes through impressive cloud forests. Similarly, tailored bird spotting excursions will be of special interest to twitchers, who can both benefit from the insight of a local guide as well as look for El Cajas National Park’s many endemic bird species at their own pace. 

Modernity and tradition collide in Cuenca, a laid-back, liveable city and UNESCO World Heritage site. With two days to dedicate to Ecuador’s charming colonial destination, there are plenty of ways you can experience the best of Cuenca and the surrounding area. Here’s how to do it in only 48 hours.

Day 1: Explore the City

Morning: Start your day with Ecuadorian coffee and people-watching in Parque Calderón, the central plaza. Then, get your bearings while also admiring some of Cuenca’s architectural highlights: Hop-on hop-off bus services typically depart from the square to top attractions, such as the Turi Viewpoint and San Sebastián Church.

Afternoon: In the afternoon visit the attractions of most interest to you. History buffs may want to opt for a half-day guided city tour to learn more about the city’s past. Food lovers can choose among market tours and interactive cooking classes. Regardless, take time for brief stops at the Panama Hat Museum or at some of Cuenca’s many chocolate shops to sample cacao products—both essential Ecuadorian experiences.

Evening: A day in Cuenca wouldn’t be complete without a tranquil evening stroll through the historic center. Watch the buildings light up from within, stop to admire street performers, or grab drinks at one of Cuenca’s many bars. And, don’t forget to sample lechón (roast pork), one of Ecuador’s typical dishes.

Day 2: Venture Further Afield

Morning: Wake early on day two for a full- or half-day excursion to the Ingapirca ruins, Devil’s Nose train, or several artisanal market towns, such as Gualaceo and Chordeleg. Meanwhile, active travelers won’t want to miss the opportunity to take a shared or private tour to El Cajas National Park, a top spot for bird-watching.

Afternoon: If you opt to stay in Cuenca’s city center on day two, consider taking a full-day tour of the city’s many colonial highlights to learn from a knowledgeable guide. Alternatively, take your time to explore Cuenca’s markets, including the Mercado 10 de Agosto.

Evening: Relax on your final night in Cuenca. Enjoy a typical Ecuadorian meal at one of the historic center’s restaurants—and take the opportunity to sample roasted guinea pig, a traditional dish of the Andes—before catching a Cuenca Symphony Orchestra performance at the Old Cathedral.

There’s plenty to keep you occupied in Cuenca, which is hailed as one of Latin America’s most livable cities. Even if you only have 24 hours in the UNESCO-listed destination, there’s still time to experience the city’s culture, cuisine, and colonial charm. Here’s how to make the most out of just one day in Cuenca.

Morning: Explore the Historic Downtown

Kickstart your time in Cuenca on a walking tour of the historic downtown area. Tours give you chance to grab a cup of Ecuadorian-bean coffee in Parque Calderón and typically stop by both the New and Old Cathedrals.

Alternatively, explore at your on pace on a hop-on hop-off bus tour or get active during a city biking tour. Both are great ways to see several city highlights in a short space of time and prove ideal for travelers with just 24 hours in Cuenca.

Afternoon: Markets or Museums

Spend your afternoon visiting some of Cuenca’s museums. For culture and fashion fans, a visit to the Panama Hat Museum—which is often covered by city tours—is essential. Alternatively, learn more about the city at the Ethnographic Museum or admire artworks at the Museum of Modern Art.

If museums aren’t your thing, visit one of the city’s many marketplaces and learn to make local delicacies during a cooking class, an excellent option for food lovers that are keen to take home skills as well as souvenirs from Cuenca. Meanwhile, active travelers can take a half-day excursion to the nearby El Cajas National Park.

Night: Dine in Style

Finish your day in Cuenca with dinner at one of the city’s top restaurants, many of which surround the central square. Look out for creamy locro de papas soup, cuy asado (roasted guinea pig), or lechón (roast pork). After dinner, relax and people-watch in the bustling Parque Calderón; sample a typical canelazo (warm, often alcoholic, punch) or craft beer; or catch a Cuenca Symphony Orchestra concert at the Old Cathedral.