Home
Ecuador
PLAN MY VISIT
Ecuador Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Ecuador

Tours and Activities in Ecuador

You won't be at a loss for things to do while traveling in Ecuador. If you're someone who loves nature and the outdoors, you'll have your plate full visiting the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon Jungle, and the Andes Mountains. Cultural buffs can explore places like Quito and Cuenca, while adventure travelers will enjoy mountain biking, scuba diving, and whitewater rafting. There's something for everyone in Ecuador. Find out a little more about the activities that are available below.

Adventure Tours

If you enjoy fun, adrenalin-fueled activities, then you'll love these tours. Adventure tours include scuba diving, ocean kayaking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and mountain biking. These activities are safe and typically suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Professional guides lead the tours and work hard to provide travelers with a memorable experience.

Cultural Tours

Ecuador's culture mixes influences from indigenous groups, Spanish colonialism, and the Catholic Church. Today, the country's unique cultural makeup can be experienced in a variety of ways. Cultural tours visit historic architectural sites, important museums, coffee plantations, traditional markets, and more. They offer travelers a fantastic introduction to Ecuador's past and present cultural traditions.

Leisure Tours

Travel doesn't need to be exhausting. In fact, some of the best experiences abroad are often the most relaxing. These tours will allow you to unwind, relax, and enjoy Ecuador. You might indulge in a day at the spa or spend an afternoon boating up a river while searching for animals. Get ready to enjoy yourself on one of these tours.

Marine Tours

Ecuador is home to the famous Galápagos Islands, and not surprisingly, the marine tours here are some of the best in the world. These tours include sea kayaking, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and marine mammal observation. You'll explore beautiful marine environments and have the chance to spot rare creatures, including marine iguanas and the Galápagos penguin.

Nature Tours

In Ecuador, there are three distinct environments for travelers to explore — the Galápagos, the Amazon, and the Andes. Each of these regions is fascinating and hosts different plants and animals. Nature tours include guided hikes, bird watching, marine mammal observation, butterfly tours, and more. They are a wonderful way to become acquainted with the outdoor offerings of Ecuador.

South Plaza Island, Ecuador
South Plaza IslandSanta Cruz

This tour will take you to South Plaza Island, which is the smallest island of the Galápagos. Despite its small size, this island still has a wealth of interesting wildlife.

Guided Tours
Nature Walk
Snorkeling
Espanola Island Tour, Ecuador
Espanola Island TourSan Cristobal

Located two hours from San Cristóbal, Española is the southernmost island and one of the oldest in the Galápagos archipelago. The island's flat profile is extremely dry with only a few inches of rain per year. Despite the dry climate the island is one of the world's only known nesting sites for the Waved Albatross.

Boat Tours
Guided Tours
Snorkeling
Santa Fe Island Tour , Ecuador
Santa Fe Island Tour Santa Cruz

Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands in the Galápagos archipelago. It only covers about 9 square miles , but offers an incredible proliferation of wildlife, both on land and in its surrounding waters. You’ll have plenty of time to observe the animals that live here – this tour begins at 8:00 AM, and lasts around 7 hours, returning to Puerto Ayora at 3:00 PM. It includes a break for lunch on board the yacht.

Guided Tours
Scuba Diving
Snorkeling
San Cristobal Highlands Tour, Ecuador
San Cristobal Highlands TourSan Cristobal

Venture into the highlands of San Cristóbal on this tour. You’ll get to see some of the most interesting plants in the Galápagos and the only freshwater lagoon in the Galápagos. Your guide will provide snorkeling gear for your visits to the beaches.

Marine Wildlife
Nature Walk
Snorkeling
Kicker Rock - Leon Dormido Island Tour, Ecuador
Kicker Rock - Leon Dormido Island TourSan Cristobal

During the boat trip you can enjoy the beautiful landscape and you may see dolphins. Upon arrival at León Dormido we will navigate around the island to see the sea birds and sea lions, resting on the rocks. If you wish, you can snorkel — there is a good chance you will see the Galapagos shark, sea turtles, different types of rays, and a variety of fish. After that, you have some free time to enjoy the beach at Playa Ochoa, Cerro el Brujo or Playa Manglecito. Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Nature Walk
Scuba Diving
Snorkeling
Flight Inter Islands, Ecuador
Flight Inter IslandsIsabela

See the world famous Galápagos Islands from every angle when you choose an inter-island flight. Available to and from various islands within Ecuador's Galápagos Archipelago, this particular flight takes you from Isabela Island to Baltra or San Cristóbal. Experience the beauty of Ecuador to the fullest extent — on the ground and in the air.

Best
San Cristobal to Santa Cruz Inter-Island Boat Transfer , Ecuador
San Cristobal to Santa Cruz Inter-Island Boat Transfer San Cristobal

Looking for an easy way to get from San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz? There’s a ferry that leaves for Santa Cruz from San Cristóbal twice a day — choose from a 7 AM or 3 PM departure.

Best
Boat Transfer Inter-islands from Santa Cruz, Ecuador
Boat Transfer Inter-islands from Santa CruzSanta Cruz

It’s easy to hope on a ferry from Santa Cruz to other major islands in the Galápagos, like San Cristóbal and Isabela. Just like any boat tour in the Galápagos, this transfer offers incredible wildlife watching opportunities along the way.

Best
Punta Pitt Tour, Ecuador
Punta Pitt TourSan Cristobal

This all-day tour takes you to some of the highlights of San Cristobál’s landscape. Your tour begins with an early morning boat ride and lasts into the evening. This is a part of the Galápagos that you need a guide in order to see, and the views that you’ll get along the way are well worth the hiking. You’ll also get the chance to stop and snorkel around the beautiful bay and have lunch on board the boat.

Boat Tours
Nature Walk
Snorkeling
Mindo Full-Day Tour, Ecuador
Mindo Full-Day TourQuito

During this full-day tour, you'll explore the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve and the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve. In Mindo, you'll visit waterfalls and a butterfly farm, and take a cable car over the forest.

Butterfly Gardens
Chocolate Tour
Nature Walk
Tour 360° in San Cristobal, Ecuador
Tour 360° in San CristobalSan Cristobal

The Galápagos is known for its stunning wildlife, and this tour takes you to some of the best wildlife attractions around San Cristobál. On this all-day tour, you’ll see famous sights like Punta Pitt, Cerro Brujo, and Kicker Rock. Along the way, you'll get to explore he volcanic scenery on hikes and snorkeling excursions. Don't worry about finding a vending machine in the middle of the ocean — snacks and lunch are included.

Boat Tours
Marine Wildlife
Sport Fishing
Cotopaxi Full-Day Tour, Ecuador
Cotopaxi Full-Day TourQuito

Reaching an elevation of 19,388 feet above sea level, Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world. During this tour you'll visit the Cotopaxi National Park and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Guided Tours
Hiking
Floreana Island Tour, Ecuador
Floreana Island TourSanta Cruz

This tour takes you to explore Floreana Island, the island with arguably the most eccentric history in the Galápagos. It has seen its fair share of human activity, beginning with 18th-century whalers. On this tour you’ll see some remnants of that history, as well as plants and animals that are rare even by Galápagos standards—Floreana Island has its very own endemic species of finch called a medium tree finch, to offer just one example.

Guided Tours
Marine Wildlife
Snorkeling
Volcanoes Full-Day Tour, Ecuador
Volcanoes Full-Day TourQuito

Ecuador has a chain of volcanoes known as the “Avenue of the Volcanoes.” On this tour, you’ll take a train that passes by some of the area’s impressive volcanoes.

Cultural
Guided Tours
The Gulf Of Guayaquil: Birds & Dolphins, Ecuador
The Gulf Of Guayaquil: Birds & DolphinsGuayaquil

This tour offers travelers a wonderful opportunity to see birds, dolphins, and other wildlife while exploring the Gulf of Guayaquil in Ecuador. It's a fun and interesting experience for travelers of all ages.

Boat Tours
Marine Wildlife
Scuba Diving in Galapagos, Ecuador
Scuba Diving in GalapagosSanta Cruz

Go on a diving tour off the coast of Santa Cruz to see sea lions, sharks, seals, eels, sea stars, and bat fish. Pick from three different dives sites — they all have their own thriving populations of rare sea life. You'll find that the water is warmest between November and April.

Boat Tours
Scuba Diving
Snorkeling
Isabela Island and Las Tintoreras, Ecuador
Isabela Island and Las TintorerasSanta Cruz

This tour takes you to see the wildlife that lives on Isabela Island and its surrounding waters. Your bilingual guide will supply you with interesting facts about the environment along the way.

Boat Tours
Snorkeling
Otavalo Full Day Tour, Ecuador
Otavalo Full Day TourOtavalo

This full-day tour visits Cayambe and Otavalo, the latter of which has one of the country's best outdoor markets. You'll try tasty Ecuadorian food and have the opportunity to purchase high-quality, locally produced handicrafts during this tour.

Historic
FC Millennium Cruise Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
FC Millennium Cruise Galápagos IslandsSan Cristobal

The Millennium is a modern, 16-passenger yacht that offers cruises through the Galápagos Islands. The accommodations are comfortable and nicely equipped, and there are ample social areas on the ship. Cruises range from 5 to 8 days.

Bird Watching
Boat Tours
Ingapirca Full-Day Tour, Ecuador
Ingapirca Full-Day TourCuenca

This tour takes you to Incapirca Complex, Ecuador’s best-preserved and most important Inca site. On the way, you’ll get to explore many more points of cultural interest in the Cañar province.

Archeology
Guided Tours
Ruins
Ecuador Tours
Boat ToursBird WatchingGuided ToursNature WalkSnorkelingMarine WildlifeHikingSport FishingHistoricCulturalScuba DivingCity TourMuseumWildlifeMulti-DayZip LinesRaftingRappelKayakingHorseback RidingButterfly GardensHot SpringsChocolate TourArcheologyRuinsWalkingTrekkingCruise
Attractions
Machalilla National ParkFloreanaOtavalo Textile MarketBaltraCajas National ParkCotopaxi National ParkEspanolaFernandinaIngapircaLeon DormidoSantiagoSeymour Norte
Places To Go
QuitoSanta CruzSan CristobalIsabelaBañosCuencaBaltraGuayaquilMontañitaPuerto LopezOtavaloSalinas

Frequently asked questions

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to ourlocal experts.

What Are the Top Activities in Ecuador?

Top Ecuador activities invite you to explore the outdoors, from the snow-covered mountains to the colorful underwater world of Galápagos dive sites. Pack for adventure and get ready to hike, bike, swim, and snorkel. In the Galápagos Islands, travelers will have ample opportunities for snorkeling, marine mammal observation, scuba diving, and bird watching. Boat tours and cruises often include many of these activities, and there are also opportunities to go sport fishing along the coast.

Finally, butterfly tours are a popular activity in Ecuador's Sierra regions.

What Adventure Activities Are There in Ecuador?

Ecuador was made for adventure activities. Looking for adrenaline? Try white water rafting in the Amazon. Want to discover new wildlife? Dive deep on a scubing diving tour. You can explore at a gentler pace on kayaking and snorkeling trips — Ecuador's thrilling landscape has something for every kind of traveler. Ecuador has an impressive array of adventure activities. Rafting can be enjoyed near Quito and in the Amazon Basin around Tena. Mountain biking is especially good in the Andes, and you can sign up for horseback riding just about everywhere. In the Galápagos Islands, you can look forward to scuba diving, snorkelling, and ocean kayaking.

I Haven't Tried Some of These Activities. Is That a Problem for my trip to Ecuador?

No, it's not a problem. Many travelers lack experience with adventure activities. No matter whether you're an adventure pro or a complete novice, these activities are suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Each activity is led by professional, capable, and patient guides. The guides will make sure you feel comfortable and confident before beginning the activity. Adventure activities - including rafting, surfing, and zip-lining - are tailored to your athletic ability and comfort level. You'll have a fun and safe experience every single time.

Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 705 reviews
Trustpilot
Fantastic Trip to Ecuador!
Percy was incredibly helpful with the planning of our itinerary and our guides Diana and Ricardo were amazing.
Aug 08, 2022
– Natasha L.
Trustpilot Rating
Awesome Anywhere
We were a group of 22 people visiting Ecuador from Dec 23 to Dec 31. We worked with Percy to get thru the reservations. ...
Feb 06, 2022
– Vas Laksh.
Trustpilot Rating
Thank you Anywhere.com
Thank you anywhere.com for giving my family an extraordinary, epic trip to the Galapagos / Ecuador. If I could give a 10...
Dec 02, 2021
– Dorianne .
Trustpilot Rating
Wouldn't Use Anyone Else!
We have used Anywhere for several trips in Latin America and they have been wonderful every time. The most recent trip t...
Aug 02, 2021
– Marlene H.
Trustpilot Rating
Above & Beyond!
Percy created the perfect vacation for us, and was professional and helpful every step of the way, even through the pand...
Jul 29, 2021
– Kara V.
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere did a great job helping me…
Anywhere did a great job helping me with my 2020 land-based trip to the Galapagos!
Mar 11, 2020
– Megan Tol.
Trustpilot Rating
Highly recommend Anywhere. Percy Coll knows Ecuador well and was extremely helpful and easy to communicate with
Excellent advance planning, helpful and knowledgeable driver/guides . All tours well organised. We felt very well looke...
Feb 21, 2020
– Tricia Cr.
Trustpilot Rating
Totally would recommend Anywhere.com
For me, Perry from Anywhere Travel was incredible! He planned our trip to Ecuador to the end. I could contact him ANYTI...
Nov 15, 2019
– Chantal B.
Trustpilot Rating
Stress free solo traveler.
As a solo traveler, anywhere travel and Percy took all the stress out of traveling. Percy was there every step of the w...
Jun 30, 2019
– Richard
Trustpilot Rating
Percy coordinated a perfect vacation in…
Percy coordinated a perfect vacation in Ecuador for our family! Ricardo and Jose were excellent, knowledgeable guides fo...
Jun 15, 2019
– Pam
Trustpilot Rating
Book with Anywhere! Easiest decision you'll have to make
Booking with Anywhere was the best decision we made. Our trip was absolutely amazing, everything we wanted, plus everyth...
Apr 26, 2019
– Stephanie
Trustpilot Rating
Great company
Great company! They’re more than helpful and they make your trip a time to remember. The customer service is in a class ...
Apr 26, 2019
– Johnny
Trustpilot Rating
Exceeded our expectations
Exceeded our expectations! The entire trip went smoothly, no worries! Every tour was exceptional! Every accommodation be...
Apr 11, 2019
– Judy
Trustpilot Rating
The planning process and the actual…
The planning process and the actual vacation accommodations and tours went flawlessly. I highly recommend and trust thi...
Apr 02, 2019
– DEE GENTR.
Trustpilot Rating
The trip was a once in a lifetime…
The trip was a once in a lifetime experience. Anywhere.com did an exceptional job of planning this trip. It couldn't h...
Mar 30, 2019
– Vickie B.
Trustpilot Rating

Let's Dream Together

Share your bucketlist to get inspiration and local connections.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.

Ecuador Vacations
  • Adventure
  • Beach
  • Bird-watching
  • Community
  • Family
  • Luxury
  • Nature
  • Rainforest
  • Romantic
Highlights
  • Unique & Authentic
  • Beaches
  • Colonial
  • Rainforests
  • Islands
  • Volcanoes
  • Surfing
PLACES TO GO
  • Quito
  • Santa Cruz
  • San Cristobal
  • Guayaquil
  • Banos
  • Galapagos
  • Amazon
  • Cuenca
THINGS TO DO
  • Boating
  • Birdwatching
  • Get a Guide
  • Nature Walks
  • Snorkeling
  • Sea Creatures
  • Hiking
  • Historic
  • Scuba Diving
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2023 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy