What to See in Ecuador
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Location

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Ecuador has 5 sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

The Pacific Coast

Natural Heritage

The Andes

Natural Heritage

The Amazon

Natural Heritage

The Galapagos

A UNESCO-listed archipelago, the Galapagos Islands offer visitors a unique experience with their marine and terrestrial wildlife. Main islands:

Must-see & highly recommended

Amazon Rainforest
★★★★ The planet's largest forest, spanning nine countries, boasts rich and diverse wildlife and plant life that can be explored (alongside local…
Avenue of Volcanoes
★★★★ This is the name by which the magnificent region stretching from Quito to Riobamba is known. It is home to numerous volcanoes, including…
Galapagos
★★★★ A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Galapagos archipelago is a unique destination for its marine and terrestrial wildlife. Located nearly a…

Recommended

Bartolome
★★★ It's a small but well-visited island where you can see penguins and tortoises among other wildlife, set in a striking, barren landscape…
Historic Centre of Cuenca
★★★ Founded in the 16th century and later embellished in the 18th, the old town of Cuenca is a remarkable example of Spanish colonial…
Inca Trails of the Andes
★★★ Also known as Qhapaq Ñan. These are the remains of the roads (23,000 km) built by the Incas over several centuries to consolidate their…
Chimborazo
★★★ This volcano is the country's highest peak. You can climb it—or simply hike it—through stunning high-altitude landscapes.
Cuenca
★★★ Perched at 2,500 m above sea level, this stunning city boasts beautiful colonial architecture and a UNESCO-listed centre. It is also the…
Devil's Nose
★★★ This famous steam tourist train travels the Riobamba - Alausi route through stunning landscapes.
Cotopaxi National Park
★★★ With its active volcano of the same name, this park is a must-visit for trekking and nature lovers.
Yasuni National Park
★★★ A beautiful Amazonian park in Napo Province, though threatened by deforestation and oil extraction.
Sangay National Park
★★★ A UNESCO-listed Andean park with volcanoes (including Sangay) and stunning landscapes, it's a prime hiking destination.
Quito
★★★ Ecuador’s capital boasts stunning colonial architecture, earning it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It’s one of the…
Cuyabeno Reserve
★★★ A stunning network of rivers, lagoons, mangroves, and forests to explore by boat or on foot. The reserve is home to numerous birds…

Worth a look / Other

Baños
★★ This pleasant small town south of Cuenca is a major hub for outdoor activities. You can hike, mountain bike, raft, or even rappel down…
Canoa
★★ This large fishing village north of Manta is known for its beaches and surfing.
Española
★★ A fairly remote spot in the archipelago, but it offers incredibly rich wildlife, especially for birdwatching. Diving is also popular here.
Fernandina
★★ The westernmost island in the archipelago. Iguanas among lava fields and colonies of penguins, sea lions, and seals.
Isabela
★★ It is the largest island, with Puerto Villamil as its main town. It is home to half a dozen volcanoes. You can take several excursions on…
Laguna Cuicocha
★★ You can hike around this volcanic lake, located about fifteen kilometres northwest of Otavalo.
Quilotoa Lagoon
★★ A stunning volcanic lake at the summit of its namesake volcano. Hiking is possible here.
Mindo
★★ This small town northwest of Quito is, with its protected forest, a true paradise for birdwatching and trekking enthusiasts.
Montañita
★★ This small village on the Santa Elena peninsula is a surfing hotspot still untouched by developers.
Muisne
★★ A small island/location on Ecuador's northern coast with beautiful beaches.
Otavalo
★★ The town north of Quito is renowned for its Indigenous market. The surrounding area also offers beautiful landscapes (volcanoes, lakes…
Machalilla National Park
★★ This coastal park northwest of Guayaquil offers beautiful landscapes, beaches, and various archaeological sites. Hiking is available.
Podocarpus National Park
★★ It’s a lovely park not far from Vilcabamba where you can go trekking.
Cayambe Coca Reserve
★★ This reserve, not far from Quito, offers beautiful landscapes and hiking opportunities.
Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve
★★ A beautiful park with waterfalls and rivers where you can hike or climb the Cotacachi volcano.
Riobamba
★★ Nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by volcanoes, perfect for hiking, the city is also the starting point for the famous Nariz del…
San Cristobal (Galapagos)
★★ This is the easternmost island, home to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the "capital" of the Galapagos. Part of the island can be explored…
Santa Cruz (Galapagos)
★★ This is the most populated island, with Puerto Ayora as its tourist hub and the main base for organizing excursions. Diving and hiking are…
Santa Fé (Galapagos)
★★ Cactus forests, cliffs, birds, iguanas, and sea lions on this small island between Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal.
Vilcabamba
★★ A peaceful small town nestled in its beautiful valley and the starting point for various excursions in the surrounding area, first and…
Archidona
★ This large colonial town north of Tena is also a major center of Kichwa culture. There are several caves in the surrounding area.
Atacames
★ Ecuador’s main beach resort on the Pacific coast.
Bahia de Caraquez
★ One of the major seaside resorts between Manta and Atacames.
Baltra
★ This is where the main airport of the Galapagos is located.
El Coca
★ Also known as Puerto Francisco de Orellana, this river port allows you to embark on the rivers and even reach the mouth of the Amazon on…
Esmeraldas
★ This northern port city has become a popular destination for its beaches.
Floreana
★ Home to just a hundred or so people, the island (also called Santa Maria) offers some great diving and wildlife-watching opportunities on…
Genovesa
★ This partly forested island in the northeast of the Galapagos archipelago is home to many bird species.
Guayaquil
★ Ecuador’s largest city has some interesting buildings and a waterfront, along with several parks.
Ibarra
★ A high-altitude colonial city with a rich heritage, located between Otavalo and the Colombian border.
Ingapirca
★ This is the most important (and one of the few) pre-Columbian sites in all of Ecuador.
Lago Agrio
★ Also known as Nueva Loja, this is the main "city" in northern Ecuadorian Amazonia, close to Colombia.
Latacunga
★ The town typically serves as a base for exploring the Cotopaxi volcano, Quilotoa Lagoon, and other nearby hiking spots.
Loja
★ In the south of the country, Loja has several beautiful monuments and religious buildings.
Manta
★ This port city is becoming an important tourist destination thanks to its beaches.
Misahualli
★ A small town in the northern Amazon, near Tena, from where you can organize walking or canoe trips into the jungle.
Playas
★ This is a popular seaside resort near Guayaquil.
Puerto López
★ This fishing port typically serves as a base for exploring Machalilla National Park, Isla de la Plata (birdwatching, diving), and nearby…
Puyo
★ You can set out from this small town south of Tena to explore the surrounding forest and rivers and meet local communities. You can also go…
Pululahua Reserve
★ North of Quito, you can hike, cycle, or horseback ride in this beautiful nature reserve.
Salinas
★ On the Pacific coast, not far from Guayaquil, Salinas is popular for its beaches and surfing.
San Salvador (Galápagos)
★ This land—also called Santiago—is home to a wide variety of wildlife (birds, seals, tortoises, etc.).
Santo Domingo de los Colorados
★ This northern city is the "capital" of the Tsa'chila people, whose culture and traditions remain very much alive.
Saquisilí
★ A small town south of Quito known for its Indigenous market.
Tena
★ The capital of the Napo province is an excellent base for exploring the rainforest and its inhabitants, as well as for organizing rafting…
Wolf
★ A tiny mountainous island home to numerous birds, iguanas, seals, sharks, and whales.