Ecuador Travel Guide: 17 BEST Places to visit in Ecuador (& Top Things to Do)

here are the best places to visit and top things to do in Ecuador be sure to stay until the end because we'll reveal the attractions many tourists Miss during their visit number 17 go whale watching in Selenas whale watching in Selenas might be one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have during your visit to Ecuador these majestic creatures often travel along Ecuador's Pacific Coast to mate and give birth in warmer waters before making their way back North the migration is a rare oppor

tunity to see them up close so don't forget your camera July to October is the best period for whale watching and Selenas is the best place this experience is worth adding to your bucket list if you're traveling to Ecuador in the right season number 16 ride the most difficult Railway ever built the devil's noosed train is an amazing feed of human engineering located on the wakil Kito Railway it is considered to be the most difficult Railway ever built and is one of the most thrilling train rides

you could ever have the insane combination of steep grades sharp curves and multiple switchbacks make this Railway a fun challenge for even the most experienced Travelers that's why people from all around the world come to ride it every year the views on the ride are incredible you'd see waterfalls rivers and Gorges so make sure to grab the window seat on the right side and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Andes mountains in the past passengers were able to ride on the roof of the train maki

ng the experience much more thrilling but due to some accidents you can only ride inside the train now you could take the Devil's noosed Ride from the town of ousi and it would cost you around $35 number 15 Summit Earth's highest point all around Ecuador beautiful volcanoes dot the landscape one such volcano stands out among its peers as the highest point in the country Vulcan chimaru despite being shorter than Mount Everest chiar's location at the equator's Bulge means that its peak is the furt

hest point from the center of the Earth's core in other words the Summit is the highest place on Earth this makes it a uniquely awe inspiring climb the hike to the summit is surprisingly short it takes just 2 days to reach its peak you would need technical ice climbing gear along with a bit of physical fitness the hike starts at Rio bambba where you would begin your journey through Rock and Ice to reach the top the views from the summit are definitely worth a challenge watching the sunrise from

the closest point on Earth to the Sun is an experience like no other number number 14 ride along the beautiful waterfall route a bike ride along the waterfall route in Bonos will leave you with memories of the breathtaking scenery the mist from the waterfalls on your face and the fresh smell of nature along the ride you're expected to pass by some of the most breathtaking waterfalls including cascado aoyan Cascada elant Dean noia and Pyon Del Diablo you could stop at any point for a little rest

or a photo the ride isn't difficult but does require some stamina if you're planning to do it all the way you can rent a bike from the Town Center the price ranges from $5 to $10 for the whole day number 13 relax among Ecuador's best beaches with yearr round sunshine and pristine white sand Ecuador's beaches are some of the finest in the world there are many beaches in Ecuador to choose from but if you're looking for a laidback Vive then Monita is the best bet for you why because of two main rea

sons nightlife and surfing the people of monit love to party and they do it well it also has a ton of restaurants bars and clubs for you to enjoy and there's always something going on which makes it so fun another Beach is Canoa which is perfect for surfing swimming or simply lying back on the beach and enjoying the sun this beautiful stretch of beach welcomes sunbathers and Fishers alike with its warm Waters and Clear Blue Skies if you're a wildlife Enthusiast then head over to the toruga Bay B

each surrounded by a tropical forest toruga Bay offers visitors a dazzling white sand beach and Crystal Blue Waters where you can swim with sea turtles and marine iguanas Ecuador has a beach for everyone number 12 hike Ecuador's most popular trekking route kiloa Loop is the most popular trekking route in Ecuador because it culminates in the beautiful kilaa Crater Lake you can start your hike in the village of sikos the Trek is tough but it's well signposted and well worth the effort the route of

fers you a chance to witness traditional farming practices visit indigenous communities as well as enjoy some breathtaking views along the journey make sure to bring your camera and capture those amazing moments the best time to do the kiloa Trek is during the dry season from June to September there are guest houses along the trk so there's no need to bring a tent in Food Supplies alternatively you could do a day trip to the kiloa lake without the multi-day Trek number 11 explore UNESCO historic

centers at Kito and quena kito's historic Center holds many Treasures including museums churches and other attractions this gives you a glimpse into the history of Kito and is a great place for history lovers even if you're not into history it will not take you long to appreciate the beauty of colonial buildings if you stay here then rest assured you'll see something new every time you walk down the street it's easy to find your way around because everything is within walking distance quen's hi

storic Center was also declared a UNESCO world heritage site for its rich and Di I collection of buildings that combin Spanish Colonial and Indigenous Styles dating back to the 16th century from beautiful churches to murals to Hidden Courtyards there are so many things to see it's a great place for families as there are plenty of shops and parks and you'd be able to find all of quen's key attractions in this area the food here is also good it's a Melting Pot where you can get everything from tra

ditional and day in dishes to pizza and Sushi Number 10 go bird watching in the cloud forest mean cloud forest is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and it's not hard to see why when you go bird watching there there are over 500 species of birds and depending on when you visit you might see some of them tourists visit this place specifically to spot the andan of the rock bird also known as GAO de laena it's a beautiful red bird famous for its strange appearance and bouncing Bobble like h

ead you can also join a birding tour with the local guide for a better experience don't forget to bring your binoculars to spot the parrots toucans ketels and umbrella birds number nine hike up copasi volcano and bike down copasi volcano sits in the heart of Ecuador's andan mountains and is the second highest peak in the country hiking this Trail offers breathtaking views at every turn the hike can be challenging and you'd need to have some acclimatization and glacier hiking experience however i

t takes just 2 days to reach the summit an easier option is to take a smaller hike to the snow sow line and have some hot cocoa at the ruio biking downhill is a popular activity on the Koto pasi volcano the ride down is an adrenaline pumping experience almost as if you're on a roller coaster feeling every bump and undulation of the road the ride offers mesmerizing and breathtaking views at every turn you might also spot some wild horses along the way the bike ride ends at the Laguna limpia Pungo

which is a pretty Lake you should definitely check out number eight shop at South America's largest outdo Market otovalo Market is one of the largest outdoor markets in South America every day thousands of people flock to otavalo to shop eat and enjoy Ecuador's vibrant culture whether you're looking to buy crafts or food products there's a little something for everyone at otovalo Market you should visit the market on Wednesday and Saturday as that's when the market spreads into the surrounding

streets the market can be an overwhelming experience with all the colors smells and sounds it's a sensory overload if you're looking for Sou ERS from your travels this is the place to go you'll find everything from traditional clothing handmade jewelry to food and knick-knacks while you're there remember to pop by the nearby otovalo animal Market there are hundreds of animals spread out over many acres including horses cows chicks and guinea pigs for cooking while we wouldn't recommend buying an

imals here it is an eye-opening experience number seven swing off the End of the World Imagine your toes hanging over the precipice and your heels dangling over nothingness that's not a dream that's exactly what you can experience in Bonos where you go to swing of the end of the world what could be more exhilarating than this it's a Musto activity in Ecuador and if you're looking to get some awesome photos for your Instagram then it's surely the place for you the swing has safety cables and a lo

ckin seat so it's completely safe the best time to visit this swing is on a bright sunny day so you can enjoy the mesmerizing views of the tungwa volcano in in your background number six explore the Amazon jungle the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador is home to some of the densest plant and animal life in the world so it's no surprise that many tourists come here to get a glimpse of the tropical trees and colorful birds in their natural habitats here you can also do activities like whitewater rafting

canoeing kayaking and hiking the cuabo Wildlife Reserve is one of the best places to spot Wildlife while TAA is the best place for rafting through the Amazon the people who live in the Amazon are a diverse group with an astonishing mix of cultures and languages rituals and traditions most of them allow Outsiders to visit their homes as well it's truly a land of Adventure and Discovery where everything you know about Wildlife will be changed by the sheer magnitude of what you see number five sta

nd on the middle of the world line the middle of the world Monument near Kito should be on your bucket list as it's one of the most interesting attractions in the world the monument is located exactly on the world's equator and is marked by a yellow line it gives you the opportunity to stand on both hemispheres at the same time with one foot in the north and 1 foot in the South so don't forget to take a picture there the monument is located in a park with green spaces trees and flowers there are

also restaurants nearby and shops that sell handicrafts and souvenirs for tourists at night it's lit up with different colors to represent the Earth's 24-hour cycle and there's an entrance fee to the park that would cost you $5 number four take a dip in Bono's volcanic thermal pools taking a dip in Bono's volcanic thermal pools is an experience you won't soon forget it's a popular destination for those seeking to relax and rejuvenate their bodies and Minds the water in the bads of Bonos is said

to be sacred and contain minerals that help to soothe your skin among other health benefits the locals even say that they've seen the Virgin Mary at nearby waterfalls there are many different options for a thermal bath and BOS but lais de la veren is the most popular and cheapest option it has three large pools of different temperatures and only cost $2 to $3 per person there are several restaurants surrounding the pools make sure to enjoy a nice cocktail or an appetizer while you veg out at th

e pool number three climb up kito's Basilica Del voto nasal the Basilica Del voto nasal in Kito is one of the most visually striking churches you'll ever see inside the cathedral features incredibly intricate stonework and centuries old paintings that are both beautiful and chilling climbing this church gives you one of the best views of the city and it's a breathtaking experience not to be missed you can get access to the church for just a mere $2 which allows you to enjoy the architecture and

get up close to the stone Gargoyles the stairs up the cathedral are steep but it's worth it when you reach the top and Overlook the incredible views of the city and the surrounding mountains number two hike Ecuador's own own Inca Trail the Ina PKA is an Inca ruin located in Ecuador's Northern Coastal Highlands not far from the city of quena although it was once an important center of worship and pilgrimage inapa today has been repurposed to a national park and archaeological site that attracts v

isitors from all over the world hiking through this historic Monument will give you insight into the legacy of the Incas Ina PKA is one of the best places in the country to join the intii celebrations where in day and people give thanks to patam Mama or Mother Earth for the Harvest the trail is a 3-day two-night hike that starts near the village of archas with Gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and valleys number one get up close with Wildlife at the Galapagos Islands a visit to Ecuador

would not be complete without a trip to the Galapagos Islands the incredible islands off Mainland Ecuador are one of the most scenic locations you'll ever visit and are especially known for their abundant Wildlife cruising in the gap apos allows you to visit the inhabited islands and a chance to experience more remote parts of the region a land-based trip is a more budget friendly options suitable for Backpackers and mid-range Travelers they require a bit more planning but offer an opportunity

to stay on the main islands while joining day trips to see wildlife and take part in hiking snorkeling and other activities some of the animals you can get up close to include blue-footed boobies sea lions land iguanas and giant tortoises click here for more tips while traveling in Ecuador