Travelogues Ecuador
298 Travel reports · 67 travel bloggers · 7.4K photos · Best time to travel: March & April · Create a travel blog · About Vakantio
Vacation in Ecuador : Highlights & Travel Tips
Ecuador is a remarkably diverse destination where travelers can experience Andean highlands, colonial cities, Amazon rainforest, Pacific beaches, and the legendary Galápagos Islands all within a relatively compact country. What makes it especially appealing is how much variety fits into one trip: you can wander Quito’s historic center, shop indigenous markets near Otavalo, hike around volcanoes like Cotopaxi, and then continue on to cloud forests rich with birdlife or jungle lodges deep in the Amazon. For nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and culturally curious travelers, Ecuador offers a rare mix of accessibility, biodiversity, and strong regional identity.
Key highlights include exploring Quito’s UNESCO-listed old town, visiting Cuenca for elegant architecture and a slower pace, and heading into the highlands for trekking, hot springs, and dramatic mountain scenery. Many travelers also seek out the Galápagos for unforgettable encounters with giant tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas, and world-class snorkeling, while the Amazon provides a very different adventure centered on rainforest wildlife and Indigenous culture. Practical tips: pack in layers because temperatures vary sharply by altitude, carry cash for smaller towns and markets, and plan transport carefully since mountain travel can take longer than expected. If visiting the Galápagos, book tours and park logistics early, and if you are sensitive to elevation, allow time to acclimatize in the highlands before strenuous activity.
Best time to travel Ecuador
Based on the popularity pattern, the best time to visit Ecuador is March and April, with August as another strong option. These months likely appeal because they balance good travel conditions with broad access to Ecuador’s highlands, cities, and nature experiences, while avoiding the lower-interest periods in May, June, September, and October.
All travel reports from Ecuador
March 8 - March 9 San Pedro de Atacama - Santiago de Chile - Quito
After our arrival in Santiago, we were busy figuring out if our suitcase, yep Latam found it and it was now being delivered to our hotel in Santiago airport. Phew, lots of...
10.12.2019 Baños Treehouse
Today we will drive up a mountain by bus to a private property where a treehouse and some swings have been built. From there, you will have a great view of the landscape and can...
04.12.2019 Isabela
Wall of Tears
Montanita
After the hike we deserved a few days at the beach. However, we were in a party hostel which didn't really offer much relaxation. But we had fun. I was glad to say goodbye after...
🦋 Quito 🦋
Hiä in Quito isches de umä gad chle früscher gsi uf 2850 m ü.M. aus uf dä Galapagos... 🙃 Mir si de mau chli dür ds härzigä Autstedtli umä gflaniert. Dert hets viu farbägi u...
Baths
After a night, we leave Shandia again and take a public bus towards Baños. Since the bridge to cross the Rio Napo is closed, we get off the bus shortly after to walk across the...
Tag 40 and 41 Change of location on Sunday 🤔👍
Yesterday morning got up extra early and moved to the rooftop terrace. My mom turned 85, and I hoped so much that the internet would be good enough for a phone call. It worked,...
Bathrooms
Baños is the adventure paradise in Ecuador. On the first day, we rented bicycles and went to the impressive waterfall. In the late afternoon, we took a bus to the giant swings,...
Arrival in Cuenca on 12/12/2019
We drive through the night and arrive in Cuenca at 5 am. The night bus is just a regular bus and not meant for overnight trips, so we will be quite exhausted upon arrival....
27/11/2019 Otavalo
Today we want to visit the market in Otavalo, which was highly recommended to us. When we set off, we stumble upon a parade that passes right in front of our hostel. We pause...
Otavalo
In Otavalo there is the largest artisanal market in Ecuador, but it is only on Saturdays, but on Mondays it also has a lot to offer. Every stand tries to sell you the "Handmade...
Bathrooms
Cycling the Ruta de las Cascadas with a mountain bike is a great pleasure and not particularly strenuous because you mostly ride downhill along the Rio Verdes on the road. This...
Work @ Cacao Farm Jipijapa (Ecuador)
09.05.2019 - 16.05.2019
Quito
A guided tour of the Old Town of Quito is definitely worth it, especially if you're lucky enough to find a good guide. Oscar from GuruWalk is one of those - he speaks perfect...
14.12.2019 Cuenca Museum Pumapungo
We visit the Pumapungo Museum, which exhibits archaeological treasures among others. Afterwards, we explore a viewpoint by taxi. In the evening, we board the night bus towards...
Cuenca (Ecuador)
01.05.2019 - 02.05.2019
09.12.2019 Baños
From now on, we head south to Lima with a few stops where we will rest for a few days. The first one is Baños, a small town in the middle of the mountains. We will take a 3-hour...
Quito (Ecuador)
16.05.2019 - 18.05.2019
Montañita (Ecuador)
03.05.2019 - 08.05.2019
22.11.2019 On to Ecuador
We say goodbye to Colombia and fly from Bogota to Quito in Ecuador. The flight takes about an hour.
Day 46 and 47 of 175: Guayaquil/Ecuador and Sea Day
Day 46 and 47: World Cruise - Guayaquil/Ecuador and Sea Day
08.12.2019 Back to Quito
The Galapagos trip ends today. We will take the ferry at 6 o'clock from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal, where the plane to Quito with a stopover in Guayaquil leaves at 12:30 o'clock.
25.11.2019 Quito
Today we spent the day at the hostel and planned a bit for the next days. Information: In the future, I will no longer make diary entries on "inactive" days.