Nature walks, chocolate tours, horseback riding, and a world famous destination that should be on every traveler's bucket list. These are Ecuador's top places to visit.

Find yourself in Quito, Guayaquil, San Cristóbal, and more as you roam city streets, explore islands, and trek through rainforests. These are Ecuador's best places, so it's no surprise that they offer the best adventures! 

Top Destinations

"Andes" aren't just a chocolatey after dinner mint, they are originally a very beautiful South American mountain range.

Ecuador's mountains are waiting for you to enjoy hiking, biking, climbing and more. Between your adventures, you can explore colorful towns like Alausí and soak in the thermal baths of Baños.

Mountains

Ecuador's coastline is magnificent and waiting for you to discover its beauty. A trip to the coast doesn't have to be boring when you're surfing in Montañita, or whale watching in Puerto Lopez.

When you're not snorkeling or sport fishing, it's a great time to enjoy the simple pleasure of a seaside stroll. Be sure to chat with the locals when you're enjoying fresh seafood at the local restaurant!

Coast

In need of a little excitement during your next vacation? Welcome to Ecuador! Get ready to snorkel off the coast of San Cristóbal and explore the small Amazonian town of Puyo.

Ecuador's adventure vacations will have you climbing, diving, hiking and more! Your Anywhere Travel Consultant can help you fill up your personalized itinerary with as many Ecuador adventure activities as you desire...and can handle.

Adventures

Heed the call of nature when you make your next holiday an eco-getaway. Ecuador's natural wonders are not to be missed. Explore the sierras of Baños, Puerto Lopez's coast, and Tena's jungles.

Stay in an ecolodge between Ecuador's nature expeditions, and meet your quota of fresh air and outdoor adventure. From the Galápagos to the Amazon, the wild world of nature is waiting for you.

Nature

If you wanted to spend your entire trip running around, then you wouldn't have gone on vacation. Indulge in some of Ecuador's leisure activities, and throw out your alarm clock.

Make sure that your Ecuador getaway offers you a little time to partake of the one activity you're desperately in need of — rest and relaxation.

Rest & Relaxation

What's the point of going to a new country if you spend the whole time with other tourists? Ecuador's off the beaten path travel will allow you to enjoy unique experiences and meet new people.

From the northern sierras of Mindo to the coast of Mompiche, Ecuador's unique places can only be found off the beaten track. Lucky for you, Anywhere has compiled this list of destinations.

Off The Beaten Path

Esmeraldas and Isabela are as beautiful as they sound, just like the rest of Ecuador's beaches. This vacation, treat yourself to a sunny outdoor getaway.

You'll enjoy boat tours, birdwatching, and hikes whilst you explore a beautiful country. You should also make time to enjoy ice cream and other treats as you stroll through the charming towns of Ecuador's best beaches.

Beaches

Ecuador's rainforests are something special; in addition their obvious beauty, they also contain a portion of the Amazon. Anywhere would encourage you to support at least one Ecuador rainforest tour during your holiday.

Bonus for you? The Ecuador rainforest animals you'll see when you visit places such as the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.

Rainforests

Touch the sky when you walk through one of Ecuador's cloud forests. A special type of humid forest with low fog.

Plants and animals thrive on this moisture, which means Ecuador's cloud forests are teeming with life. Visit one in Santa Cruz or Mindo!

Cloud Forests

Ecuador's bustling cities often thrive in the shadows of giants — volcanoes on the outskirts of their regions. With rugged and beautiful landscape, Ecuador's volcano destinations are ideal for adventurous types.

Bustling locales like Riobamba ensure that you don't have to choose between city living and outdoor adventure, because Ecuador volcano treks are never far from you. Go on an amazing adventure when you explore Ecuador's volcanoes.

Volcanoes

Grab your board! It's time to head for Salinas, Mompiche, San Cristóbal, and more. These are all of the Ecuador surfing beaches you need to add to your travel to-do list!

First time riding the waves? No problem. There's an Ecuador surfing beach for everyone — including you! Why spend all of your time on the beach when you can hang ten? The ocean calls...

Surfing

Just can't shake your love of city life? Ecuador's cities range from surf towns such as Monañita to colonial architecture havens like Cuenca. In other words, Ecuador city life can vary, because each town may take on a totally different vibe.

Use this list of cities in Ecuador to visit, and satisfy your love of shopping, culture, fine dining, museums, architecture, and more! Which of Ecuador's cities will you fall in love with? You won't know until you go...

Cities

Who's that at your hotel door? It's Ecuador's nightlife letting you know that it's not time to go to sleep yet, because the party is just getting started!

When the sun goes down it's not the end of the day, it's the beginning of singing, laughing, and dancing 'til dawn. This is Ecuador's nightlife, and it can go on so long that you may end up watching the sun rise on a brand new day.

Nightlife

The thing about exploring a new country is that the actual journey is part of the experience. Ecuador's airports may shuttle you from one locale to the next, but that doesn't mean there is nothing to see and do when you're getting from 'point A' to 'point B.'

From the sierras of Quito to Puyo's Amazon, these Ecuador airport destinations prove that you shouldn't be so focused on your next location that you miss out on what your current one has to offer!

Airports

The era of Spanish colonialism may be gone, but its legacy remains. You can see Ecuador's colonial heritage when you take a moment to observe the design all around you.

Buildings in Guayaquil and Loja may boast an added dose of colour, whilst Latacunga and Ibarra have stony grey or whitewashed facades. The common thread? Unmistakable features of Ecuador colonial architecture.

Colonial 

Ecuador's rivers are waiting to show you their beauty and power. Walk alongside them, cruise down them, or careen over them — the choice is yours.

From whitewater rafting to floating safaris, Ecuador's rivers offer a variety of exciting adventures. Try them all to find your favourite!

Rivers

Have you really been to Ecuador if you haven't experienced the Galápagos Islands? According to almost every "Must See Before You Die" list, absolutely not!

The Galápagos Islands of Ecuador live up to their hype, and then some. Not only are they beautiful in their own right, they are also home to animals and plants found nowhere else on planet Earth.

Islands

To truly experience Ecuador, you need to partake in some of Ecuador's cultural activities. These destinations are the first step.

Get to know Ecuador's people and Ecuador's culture in Alausí, Otavalo, Cuenca, and more. Beautiful places, faces, and extraordinary legends are waiting to reveal themselves to you.

Culture

Tena

Achuar Tribal Lands

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

Yasuni

Guayaquil

Salinas

Manta

Canoa

Puerto Lopez

Montañita

Latacunga

Riobamba

Baños

San Cristóbal

Isabela

Santa Cruz

Otavalo

Mindo

Quito

Loja

Cuenca

Alausí

Northern Sierra

Galapagos

San Cristobal

Central Sierra

Ecuador is well known for the Galápagos Islands, a string of volcanic islands set off the Pacific coast that boast some of the world's most diverse wildlife. However, the country is also home to the Andes Mountains and Amazon Jungle, two areas that have equally impressive outdoor offerings. Nature tours allow you to explore the vast Ecuadorian landscape and learn about the interaction between plants, animals, and people. The tours are led by knowledgeable guides, and include options like hiking and birdwatching.

If you're traveling to Ecuador, there's a good chance you'll visit the Galápagos Islands. These islands are the country's claim to fame, and rightfully so - they host some of the most impressive and unique wildlife on the entire planet. Marine tours are a fantastic way to explore the Galápagos Islands and other coastal habitats in Ecuador. Marine wildlife can be seen during snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and marine mammal observation tours. You'll have opportunities to spot tropical fish, humpback whales, sea lions, and more. Sport fishing can also be arranged.

Marine

Exploring Ecuador's culture is fun and fascinating. You can stroll around colonial cities like Cuenca and Quito, tour high-quality museums, or shop for handicrafts at a local market. Cultural tours are led by friendly, knowledgeable guides who will teach you about the history and traditions of the places you visit. You'll walk away from these tours with a thorough understanding of Ecuadorian culture.