Ecuador

The Galápagos, a volcano avenue and the Amazon in one small country.

US travel advisory: Level 2 · checked 2026-11-02
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
This is a first draft of the Ecuador list. The full region guide is being written, and tiers may still change.

The Short List

Must-See

Must-See
Nature · UNESCO

Galápagos Islands

Darwin's islands, with giant tortoises, marine iguanas and fearless sea lions. Live-aboard or island-hop.

Guide Coming Soon
Must-See
Cities · UNESCO

Quito

The best-preserved colonial center in Latin America, high in the Andes, close to the Equator line.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Worth a Detour
Cities · UNESCO

Cuenca

A handsome colonial city of blue domes, near the Inca site of Ingapirca and El Cajas's lakes.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Nature · Adventure

Baños

An adventure town beneath a volcano, with its Swing at the End of the World.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Nature · Amazon

Yasuní and the Ecuadorian Amazon

One of the most biodiverse places on Earth, with canoe trips and Indigenous-run lodges.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Mountains · Volcanoes

Quilotoa

A turquoise crater lake, in a loop of Andean villages.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

If You're Nearby
Cities · Markets

Otavalo

One of South America's great markets, run by Indigenous weavers.

Guide Coming Soon
If You're Nearby
Nature · Cloud forest

Mindo

A cloud-forest village for hummingbirds and chocolate.

Guide Coming Soon
If You're Nearby
Mountains · Volcanoes

Chimborazo

The point on Earth's surface closest to the sun.

Guide Coming Soon

On the Map

Grey pins: guides still being written.