Travelogues Ecuador
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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
Holidaymakers under house arrest
Holidaymakers under house arrest
Ecuador: Galapagos (Part 1: Puerto Ayora & Isabela Island)
Welcome to the Galapagos!
Ecuador (6): RESTE
Das chaotische Ende meiner 2-monatigen Reise durch Peru und Ecuador...
Ecuador (3): AMAZONAS - CUYABENO
One more 'check' off the bucket list. 4 days with a canoe through the Amazon.
Artsy Cuenca
Today is a classic city trip, as I know it: get up early and explore the city on foot. The three of us start with an Americano "para llevar" and make our way into the city. We...
Quito and surroundings
After the initial rather bad impression of the Ecuadorian capital, we set out on a discovery tour the next day, motivated. Luckily, we didn't notice any political unrest. After...
Todo bien!
Where does the time go? Now I'm actually writing this article from the next country on my list: Peru. But let's start from the beginning: Ecuador had already surprised me in the...
Ecuador
Quilotoa Lagoon
Otavalo and Mindo
After another day in Quito, which we used to visit the Basilica and go for a run in Carolina Park, we took the bus to Otavalo. Otavalo is a small town about 2 hours north of...
Ecuador - of theft, hippie communes, and a volcano.
Banos and the Quilotoa Loop
Baños - It's getting scorching hot
10/20/2018 The journey to Baños goes smoothly. After breakfast, we immediately catch every bus. We don't go to the ticket counter anymore, but straight to the buses. There, we...
In the fog forests of Mindo and the crater landscape of Quilotoa
16/10/2018 The next morning, we set out in search of a sports shop. A little birdie had told us that trying to buy snorkeling equipment on the Galapagos Islands would either...
Ecuador: Otavalo
Meerschweinchen for Sale!
Ecuador: Galapagos (Part 3: Day 5-8)
Day 5: Charles Darwin Station
Ecuador (2): QUITO
Capital of Ecuador. Warm, cold, sunny, rainy... and of course, celebration...
Galapagos - Be careful not to step on a rare animal!
From Quito, we head towards these mystical islands, with a long list of things we want to see. We have ten days to explore the three main islands, hiking, diving/snorkeling, and...
Diving in Galapagos Part 1
First overview of around 20 dives within a week in the Galapagos Islands. Delphine! Hammerhead sharks! And so much more.
Isabela Island - Galapagos
Once again, we first took the taxi boat to the speedboat, this time a unfortunately not so comfortable model, and then about 2 hours to Isla Isabela. The ride was very bumpy, as...
San Cristóbal - Galápagos
After a short flight, we arrived on the island of San Cristóbal, where the capital of the Galapagos Islands is located. The airport was charmingly small, and our luggage was...
Alausí and Cuenca
Before we continued to our next slightly longer stay, we made a stop for two nights in Alausí on the way. Alausí is just a small village where there isn't really much exciting...
Baños and the Ecuadorian Carnival
From Mindo, we continued south to Baños via Quito. Baños is known for its many outdoor activities. The small town is very touristy with many restaurants, bars, and cafes, and is...
New Year, trip to Ecuador, and ongoing political crisis
Now I'm back after a long writing break. Let me start with my Christmas days, which were definitely different this time. Together with my (former) host family, we went on a...
Galapagos Part II: Santa Cruz
The island with the Galápagos "capital" Puerto Ayora is waiting for us. But here, it must be said: Galápagos knows how to make a business out of everything. The fees are not...
Auf den Spuren der spanischen Eroberer
Das erste, was ich nun zu schreiben habe, ist ein riesiges DANKESCHÖN an Familie Hidalgo Ponce, die uns in den vergangenen Wochen so wunderbar umsorgt hat! Neben einem Platz zum...
Galapagos - because they can
UPDATE: Under 'Map' (see entries and photos) you can now track our travel route geographically. UPDATE: Our inquiries with Avianca regarding ticket refunds have been partially...
Ecuador: Galapagos (Part 2: Cruise Day 1-4)
Finally, the day had come when our 7-day cruise around the Galapagos Islands would start. Unfortunately, the cruise ships do not start in Puerto Ayora, but at the channel near...
Quito - Ecuador
Zuñíga Family, Chocolate, and my archenemy: EQUATOR!!
Ecuador 🇪🇨 - Dschungelabenteuer und Galapagos Inseln
Unterwegs in einem Zoo ohne Zaun 😃
14.09.: Mitad del Mundo - the Middle of the World
14.09. middle of the world!!! I never would have dreamt in my life that I would come to the equator, especially not with the Vepse. From here, it is 22 km north, which makes me...
ab 02.09.: In the living container 20 km before Puerto Lopez
02.09. The night in the hotel is over at 3am. I have my window on the fourth floor facing the courtyard and I can witness the return of the guests from the city up close....