Our Top 8 Places to See in Ecuador

Ecuador! What an epic, diverse, and beautiful country you are! Ecuador stole my heart back in 2015 when I helped two good friends move there with everything they owned and relocate from the United States. It was my first time leaving my home country of the United States and since then I have been back 4 times and brought my partner, Allison. We absolutely love this country and everything it has to offer from beautiful tropical beaches, amazing lush jungles, to stunning epic mountains. Here we will let you in on our top 8 places to see in Ecuador (in no particular order) as well as some tips and tricks to make your Ecuadorian adventure be the most exciting trip yet.

#1. Quito, “Ciudad de los Cielos”

Quito is the capital of Ecuador and was built at an elevation of 2,850 metres (9,350 ft) above sea level. At its elevation and location on the equator, Quito has an average temperature of about 70℉ during the day to 50℉ at night. We didn’t get to do and see everything that Quito has to offer but definitely made some lasting memories. Here are a few things that we did get to experience and feel that you should too.

The Guayasamin Museum

• The Guayasamin Museum is a must-see while in Quito. It is located in the quiet neighborhood of Bellavista just below Parque Metropolitano. The museum is actually the former house of Oswaldo Guayasamin known as the “Picasso of Latin America.” Oswaldo Guayasamin is also known to be the most influential Ecuadorian artist of the last century. His art reflects his life of being poor and the corruption between money and power in Ecuadorian society. There is an eight dollar entrance fee but well worth it as you get to see so much beautiful art and also a spectacular view of the city.

Old Town, Quito

• Old Town, also known as Centro Historico, is another must-see with its Colonial churches, cathedrals, and historical monuments. Its well-preserved cobblestone roads, narrow alleys, and sunny squares will make you feel totally immersed in 18th century Quito. Most of everything is within walking distance and filled with vendors around every corner making Old Town a very pleasant way to spend your day. If you want to see some more pics of Quito check out our Photo Gallery.

#2. Otavalo, Plaza de Ponchos

Otavalo is located in northern Ecuador in the Andean Highlands. Given its elevation of 2,532 meters (8307 feet), it has a very cool climate of 10℃ to 21℃ (50℉ to 70℉) year-round. It is widely known for its large market in the central Plaza de Ponchos, where you will find traditional dressed indigenous locals selling handcrafted textiles and artisanal jewelry.

The textile production dates back to pre-Inca times with the knowledge being passed down from generation to generation. Some of the most sought out products that are crafted here are the alpaca wool ponchos, scarfs, sweaters, and blankets. Every day you can expect to see Otavaleños bustling to display their colorful variety of woven textiles but Saturday is by far the biggest day.

#3. Vilcabamba”The Valley of Longevity”

This legendary town is a beautiful, tranquil place to visit and is a very popular place for backpackers who are on a budget. It is also a very popular place for ex-pats and has many residents from all over the world.

Although it is a small, quiet village town you will be greeted with all of the amenities to make an unforgettable experience. Set at a perfect altitude of about 5,000 feet, Vilcabamba has the most ideal weather ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit all year long giving it the nickname “The Valley of Longevity.” It is famous for the large number of people who have lived to be over 100 years old. Many accredit this to the enriched colloidal minerals in the water that are said to have healing properties. This makes it a great destination for those into health and wellness.

From hiking to jungle parties to meditation and yoga retreats there is no dought that you will love your time spent in Vilcabamba, Ecuador.

#4. Banos, “Gateway to the Amazon”

Banos is one of our favorite destinations in Ecuador. If you love hot springs, waterfalls, hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, bicycling, and zip-lining then this will be your number one spot as well.

Tungurahua

Banos sits in a valley at the base of an active volcano called Tungurahua. You can easily take a bus up to the top of the volcano. If you’re lucky you might get to experience some smoke and fire blasting from the top. If you do make it up you should check out The Swing at the End of the World. This swing lets you literally swing out over a cliffside giving its name The Swing at the End of the World.

Thermal Hot Baths

We are total hot spring lovers so when heard that Banos had natural hot springs we knew we had to check out this town. Just a short walk from our hostel, we were at the three huge thermal tubs ranging from warm, warmer, and boiling. The mineral-rich water is heated from the active volcano Tungurahua and has multiple health benefits.

The Agoyán

Hands down! This is the most epic waterfall we have seen. The Agoyán (also known as The Devil’s Cauldron) is the tallest waterfall of the Ecuadorian Andes. The best way to visit this waterfall is to rent a bicycle that will only set you back about 7 dollars. The whole trip is downhill and has multiple stops along the way consisting of bungee jumping, ziplining, and riding cable cars over the Rio Pastaza. There are trucks that will you give and your bike a ride back into town at the end. Once you cycle about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) you will be at The Devils Cauldron. It is formed by the waters of the Pastaza River that plunges 61 meters in a gorge.

There are many other things to do and see while you stay in Banos, Ecuador. We only scraped the surface of what Banos has to offer and will be visiting again in the future. From whitewater rafting and epic ziplining to sipping hot chocolate after a full body massage, we know you will enjoy this amazing getaway in the heart of Ecuador.

#5. Montanita, “Little Amsterdam”

Montanita, this wild coastal town known for its all-night crazy parties was first put on the map being a great surfing destination. It quickly made its way to one of the top party destinations in Ecuador not only for backpackers but for Ecuadorians as well. It very well could be considered the Koh Phangan of Ecuador.

Ayampe

Located just 30 minutes north of Montanita, Ayampe is a quiet village better for relaxing and laid back vibes. It is also known for its surfing. We suggest staying here if a good night’s sleep is important to you. Taxis back and forth from Montanita are easy to find, so no need to worry about missing out on the parties. Also, there are some amazing Airbnb oceanfront houses to rent for a very affordable price.

Puerto Lopez

Puerto Lopez is also a great place to visit and is just another 30 minutes north of Ayampe. There are many boat trips that you can take to go snorkeling and see the abundance of wildlife surrounding the coast. One main attraction is the blue footed booby, a marine bird that lives on the coast in Puerto Lopez.

While you are in Puerto Lopez you also have to try the fresh ceviche. Served to you directly on the beach with plantain chips and an ice-cold Pilsener beer. The best thing about this delicious experience is that it will only set you back about 3 dollars.

#6. Quilotoa “Quilotoa Loop”

The volcano and crater lake, Laguna Quilotoa, sits in the small town of Quilotoa just 2 hours south of Quito. It is one of Ecuador’s most famous tourist sights, and for good reason. This deep chasm filled with emerald-colored waters is a tremendous sight to see. You can take a day tour from Quito but if you are physically able we highly suggest making the popular trek through neighboring indigenous villages. This 2 to 4 day hike was easily one of our best travel experiences. The trail takes you through beautiful peaks and valleys of countryside and forests. Be aware there are some very steep climbs, but that just makes it all the more rewarding when you reach Quilotoa.

Most people, including us, started in the town of Latacunga. There you can lighten your load by storing whatever you don’t need in lockers at the Hostel Cafe Tiana. From there you can get a taxi or bus ride to your starting point. Where you start depends on how long you want to hike and which direction. We recommend Sigchos to Isinlivi to Chugchilan to Quilotoa. There are hostels along the trail at each stop. They provide meals and you can even request a packed lunch for your journey.

When you make your grand arrival to Laguna Quilotoa there is still a bit more trekking to be done. You can hike around the rim or down to the water. Parts of the rim trail are very narrow and have steep cliffs on both sides. We elected to only hike the rim part way and then head to the bottom. Once you reach the water you can rent kayaks and relax in the beautiful emerald water.

#7. Mindo, The Cloud Forest

Mindo is a small town concealed amongst the cloud forest about 100 kilometers west of Quito. With the perfect blend of nature, relaxation, wildlife, and chocolate this is one destination you are not going to want to skip out on.

Many people visit Mindo to see the numerous amounts of species of birds and butterflies. There are around 350 different species of birds and 25 different species of butterflies in the area of Mindo making it a top destination for bird and butterfly watchers alike.

One of our most memorable days in Mindo was our hike to the waterfalls. Amazingly, there are 7 impressive waterfalls on just one hike located in the Mindo Nambillo Ecological Reserve. We suggest starting off by taking The Tarabita cable car across the river as it provides some beautiful sights and brings you right onto the trail. It is 7km from the town center. Nearby, there is also excellent ziplining.

There are many things to do and see in Mindo but you can not leave without signing up for a chocolate tour. From an 8 hour tour to a 45-minute tour, you will be able to learn about how Ecuador has such exceptional bean to bar chocolate.

#8. Mompiche

We love Mompiche! It is located on the northern coastline of Ecuador with sprawling beaches and a flourishing tropical backdrop. This quiet little village town consists mostly of fishermen rather than tourists making it the ideal destination to unwind and feel a local vibe. While fresh seafood is being brought in daily you most certainly will be able to relish in some of the best ceviche that Ecuador has to offer. But don’t worry vegans, there are nice restaurants for you too!

Playa Negra

This beautiful and unique spot is a must-see! Playa Negra (Black Beach) is about a 40-minute walk south from Mompiche. The sand is rich in titanium giving it a black sparkling shine that no one forgets. It is the softest sand we have ever felt! Unfortunately, since there are titanium deposits in this area the locals have been at war with the bulldozers tearing up the beach to be mined. There have been many petitions signed and protests trying to stop the destruction of the beach since 2012. The mining is currently suspended but the fight to get the permits rescinded continues.