Ecuador is a post-card pretty country with a plethora of touristic attractions that make it dominate bucket lists of many travelers all over the world. Scenes of gentle waves crushing the white sandy beaches, medieval colonial centers, Amazonian rainforest, Kichwa villages, and the heart-melting Andes are just but a few of the attractions that make Ecuador such an appealing country to visit. With a relatively okay temperature, you can visit the country most times of the year, with a guarantee of having some of the best moments of your life. With that said, read below to learn about the best places to visit in Ecuador.
1. Cuenca City
Cuenca is also known as the Athens of Ecuador, and with this tour, you get to immerse yourself in the true beauty of the city. It is home to architectural masterpieces such as the Old and New Cathedrals which are not just pleasing to the eyes, but also comes with a great history. A visit to Calderon Park and the Modern Art Museum will expose you to some of the city’s best-kept gems, while you also learn more about the region from the explanations and narrations by the professional guides.
Cuenca City Tour
Duration: 4 hours
2. Cotacachi
Tourists come to Cotacachi because of its reputation in leather and its main street known as Calle10 de Agusto. The street is a famous one that’s lined with shops merchandising high-quality leather goods such as jackets, bags, shoes, gloves, and wallets. However, the city also has a special appeal to North American retirees who came in and invested in condos so that they could take advantage of the tranquility and the sleepiness of the city. It is an easy-going city – one of the vibes that make it very popular among tourists.
3. Ibara
Ibara, popularly known as “The White City“, is the largest city north of Quito. It has a horde of attractions, including old colonial buildings which have now been turned into shops within the commercial district. A trip to this town will bring you face to face with a plethora of beautiful plazas with the majestic Volcan Imbabura looming impressively against the backdrop. The city is also home to Laguna de Yahuarcocha where more than 30,000 Caranqui fighters lost their lives during their battles with an Incan Emperor known as Huayna Capac. You will enjoy a tour of the museums, indigenous villages and the traditional train journeys.
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4. Vilcabamba
Streets of #Vilcabamba / #Ecuador ❤
Posted by My_Travel_Gang on Monday, 10 April 2017
Vilcabamba boasts beautiful scenery with mild weather and a relaxed vibe that makes tourists travel from far and wide to come and experience. It is a very popular destination for backpackers from the United States and Europe and European retirees seem to have started falling in love with it, of late. Horseback riding, hiking, and meditation are some of the most popular activities.
5. Otavalo
PEGUCHE WATERFALL , OTAVALO - ECUADOR
Posted by Andrzej Kilarowski on Tuesday, 15 September 2015
Many tourists usually want to come to Otavalo because of its market, which has a legendary status, but it is not the only attraction in this charming small Andean city. Most people view it as the perfect starting point for train trips to places such as Salinas and Ibarra, and regional hikes to places such as Peguche and Cotacachi. Another solemn thing you may be interested in are the ceremonies conducted twice every week at the cemetery where the residents go to honor their departed family and friends with hearty meals and beautiful flowers.
6. Puerto Lopez
El #feriado de #semanasanta empieza y todo el cantón #PuertoLopez está listo para recibir a turistas de todas partes del...
Posted by Puerto Lopez Hoteles on Friday, 30 March 2018
In Puerto Lopez, expect to find a long wide beach as well as easy access to some of the country’s leading tourist attractions such as Parque Nacional Machalilla among others. Once a quiet fishing village, it is now a tourist hotspot, with a myriad of attractions and numerous accommodation options, cafés, restaurants, and beautiful beaches for swimming and sunbathing. If you want a blend of nature, history, and beach life, then this would be a very befitting attraction for you.
7. Montanita (from USD 160.0)
When you think of Montanita, think of a coastal town with a laid-back vibe with stretches of white sand beaches that make a paradise for visitors. With a full-day tour, you will sample some of the finest that the city has to offer, starting from the busy streets of Guayaquil to the beaches. During the tour, the guide will bring your attention to the key tourist attractions, such as the handicraft shops or the historic Stella Maris Church. You will also receive guidance on how to shop for local handicrafts if you want to buy some souvenirs.
Full Day in Montañita from Guayaquil
Duration: 8 hours
8. Manta
Manta is a bustling and prosperous port town that attracts both domestic and international tourist in equal measures. It is blessed with beautiful highrise buildings and nice urban beaches. And since it is a major fishing center in the country, it also has tuna-processing facilities. Though it doesn’t offer a lot in terms of tourism, it is an ideal weekend getaway, with a laid-back vibe and a robust nightlife.
9. Salinas
When you get to Salinas for the first time, you may confuse it for Miami Beach, and this should be a subtle indication of what you should expect in this city – tall white condos located meters away from the expansive sandy beaches usually full of sun worshippers. Though a visit to the backstreet is a more “down-and-out” look, the city is a playground for the country’s elites. It is not just the biggest resort town south of the country, but also it is home to the country’s smartest beaches. Though you will have a lot to see and do, you should never miss a visit to the scenic La Chocolatera – the main access point to the Ecuadorian mainland.
10. Tena
Tena is an attractive Ecuadorian town where travelers normally find themselves spending more days than they had planned because of its captivating charm. It is set in a gorgeous environment surrounded by the jungles which give it a myriad of backpacker infrastructure. With a high concentration of rivers, Tena is also a great attraction for whitewater rafting and kayaking enthusiasts. And though it has no architecture worthy of winning any prize, its friendly population and the more than relaxed vibe will make you yearn for more days in the town.
11. Canoa
Lovely stretches of beach surrounded by breathtaking cliffs are some of the views that will greet you in the sleepy village of Canoa. Though an increasingly popular destination for surfers and sun-seekers, the town still maintains its low-key status where fishermen still head out to the sea in the wee hours of the morning. The evenings are characterized by lively scenes at the beachfront bars as backpackers gather to share their travel tales while downing bottles of cold beer.
12. Puyo
Puyo is unlike very many towns you have ever been to or will ever visit. For most towns, a lot of focus is given on the town centers and the outskirts are usually neglected. Well, Puyo is the exact opposite. Though it is the capital of Pastaza Province, the town center has nothing to offer. However, when you travel towards the edges, you will encounter green jungles with tantalizing backpacking appeal. There are lots of accommodation options as well as jungle tour operators who will give you just what you need for an indelible experience in the Ecuadorian jungles.
13. Latacunga Canton
Posted by Thomas Sundén on Sunday, 18 August 2019
To most travelers, Latacunga Canton is nothing but a small town that they pass through when heading to Parque Nacional Cotopaxi or Quilotoa Loop. However, for those who don’t see it as a mere access point, there is always too much to see and do in this town. It is a peaceful and friendly historic town that has partially withstood the numerous eruptions of Cotopaxi. What you will find here is a rich Catholic and indigenous history that you would never believe would have existed in a city often ignored for the “better” touristic destinations in the region.
14. Bahia de Caraquez
Bahia de Caraquez suffered a devastating earthquake in 2006, and this had a significant impact on its tourism. The major structures you will find in the town currently are a few redone condos whose owners had the financial muscles to rebuild after the earthquake. However, the town still has interesting attractions, with Isla Corazon region being a paradise for bird watchers. The other notable attractions include Church of La Merced constructed in 1912, Mirador La Cruz for its beautiful views, and Museo Bahia de Caraquez for the region’s indigenous history.
15. Guayaquil City (from USD 40.0)
Guayaquil is historic and one of the largest cities in Ecuador, and as such, it is a natural destination for most tourists coming into the country. Its main attractions are the streets, avenues, and parks which have a lot of stories to tell about the colonials and the country’s efforts to get freedom from Spain. Notable ones include Simon Bolivar Park, Guayaquil Embankment and the statues of freedom fighters – Saint Martin and Bolivar. With the city tour, you must also pass by the colonial neighborhood of Las Penas to admire the beautiful wooden architecture.
Guayaquil City Tour
Duration: 3.0 hour
16. Banos (from USD 256.0)
Banos is a paradise that every outdoor enthusiast wishes to retire to in Ecuador, and the best way to enjoy the depth of its attractions is with this private full-day tour. It is a six-hour roundtrip that will take you to some of the city’s most admired outdoor sites, including the famous Ruta de las cascadas. This is also the home of the traditional taffy candy commonly, known as melocha, which you will have a taste of during the tour. A visit to the Pailon del Diablo waterfalls and the zip lining facilities around fall is also included in this tour.
Private Full Day Baños Tour from Quito
Duration: 8 to 10 hours
17. Quito City (from USD 40.0)
With this four-hour guided sightseeing tour, you will experience the best of contemporary and colonial Quito riding in a replica of a traditional tram. It is a great trip to sample the city’s best attractions and experiences, featuring a stop at the Basilica of the National Vow, the Independence Plaza, and La Ronda Street among others. You will also get to learn about the country’s history and culture from the knowledgeable tour guides who will be keen on ensuring that you get a very good experience.
The Original Quito City Tour by Trolley with Hotel Pickup
Duration: 5 hours
Ecuador: a backpackers’ paradise
There have to be very good reasons why Ecuador ranks highly among the top travel destinations in South America. With the above best places to visit in Ecuador, it is easy to understand why it is such a darling to the backpackers from North America and Europe. Again, the beauty and the relaxed vibe explains why so many retirees see it as a great destination to enjoy the rest of their lives. For you and me, however, plan your trip, go and enjoy the goodies that nature blessed the country with.
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