🇪🇨 Discover Ecuador in Two Magical Journeys
This journey was a blend of discovery, relaxation, and awe-inspiring natural beauty. From swimming with sea lions to walking among ancient tortoises, every moment in the Galápagos was a reminder of the planet’s wonders. If you’re looking for an adventure that reconnects you with nature, the Galápagos Islands should be at the top of your list.
Andes & Amazon
Highland cities, volcanoes, markets, and lush jungle adventures.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1–2: Quito
Explore the colonial Old Town, ride the Teleférico for panoramic views, and visit Mitad del Mundo. Enjoy dinner in La Floresta and try local dishes.
Day 3–4: Otavalo & Cotacachi
Visit the famous Otavalo Market, hike around Cuicocha Lake, explore artisan towns like Cotacachi, and relax by Peguche Waterfall.
Day 5–6: Baños
Try ziplining, canyoning, or the scenic waterfall route by bike. Visit Pailón del Diablo and soak in thermal hot springs at night.
Day 7–10: Amazon Rainforest (Tena or Puyo)
Stay in a jungle lodge and enjoy guided hikes, canoe rides, wildlife spotting, visits to Kichwa communities, and traditional Amazonian meals.
Day 11–12: Papallacta or Quito
Stop at the Papallacta hot springs before returning to Quito for one last night of shopping or a final meal.
✨ Best time to go: June to September for ideal weather in both the Andes and Amazon.
Coast & Galápagos
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1–2: Guayaquil
Walk the Malecón 2000, visit Las Peñas, and enjoy seafood. Don’t miss Parque Seminario (Iguana Park) and a river cruise on the Guayas River.
Day 3–6: Montañita or Salinas
Relax on the beach, surf or do yoga in Montañita, or enjoy the calm shores of Salinas. Take a day trip to Puerto López or Isla de la Plata.
Day 7–10: Santa Cruz Island
Stay in Puerto Ayora. Visit Tortuga Bay, snorkel Las Grietas, and explore the Charles Darwin Research Station. Take boat tours to nearby islands like Bartolomé or Seymour Norte.
Day 11–14: Isabela Island
Visit Los Túneles, hike Sierra Negra Volcano, swim with penguins, and see flamingos at lagoons near Puerto Villamil.
Day 15–17: San Cristóbal Island
Relax in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Visit Kicker Rock, Cerro Tijeretas, the Interpretation Center, and lounge with sea lions at Playa Mann. Fly back to Guayaquil or Quito.
✈️ Fly back to mainland from San Cristóbal to Guayaquil or Quito.
✨ Best time to go: December to May for warm water and calm seas; June to November for prime wildlife sightings.
Best Food & Drink by Region
🏔️ Andes
Hornado
Slow-roasted pork served with crispy skin, hominy, and ripe plantains. It’s often a centerpiece at weekend markets.
Llapingachos
Grilled potato patties stuffed with cheese, served with a fried egg, peanut sauce, avocado, and sausage. A hearty Andean favorite.
Fritada
Pork chunks fried in their own fat until golden, usually served with mote (hominy), pickled onions, and fried plantains.
Canelazo
A warm, spiced drink made with cinnamon, sugarcane liquor, and naranjilla juice. Perfect for chilly highland nights.
🌳 Amazon
Maito
Fish or chicken wrapped in bijao leaves, seasoned with native herbs, and grilled over fire—served with yuca or plantain.
Chontacuro
Plump jungle grubs, roasted or grilled, considered a delicacy rich in protein and traditional to local diets.
Chicha de yuca
A lightly fermented drink made from boiled and mashed cassava root, often shared during communal ceremonies.
🌊 Coast
Encebollado
A tangy fish soup with yuca, onions, and cilantro, often eaten for breakfast and believed to cure hangovers.
Encocado
Seafood—typically shrimp or fish—cooked in a rich coconut milk sauce with peppers and achiote.
Tigrillo
A warm breakfast dish made of mashed green plantains mixed with cheese, eggs, and sometimes chorizo or pork rinds.
🐢 Galápagos
Fresh lobster & ceviche
Enjoy daily catches prepared simply with lime, onions, and cilantro, or grilled with island spices.
Caña Manabita
A sugarcane-based liquor, often served with lime or fruit juice—strong, sweet, and local.
Island fruits
Savor juicy guavas, passion fruits, and tree tomatoes grown in the highlands of the islands.
Lodge & Hotel Recommendations
- Quito: Casa Gardenia or Illa Experience Hotel
- Baños: Luna Volcán Adventure Spa
- Amazon: La Casa del Suizo (Tena), El Jardín (Puyo)
- Montañita: Dharma Beach Hotel
- Santa Cruz: Ikala Galápagos Hotel
- Isabela: Hotel Albemarle or Wooden House Lodge
- San Cristóbal: La Zayapa Hotel
🧳Printable Packing Lists
Mountains & Amazon
Hiking shoes, rain poncho, insect repellent, layersCoast & Galápagos
Quick-dry clothing, snorkel gear, reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes💰Budget Guides
(Per Person/Day)
- Backpacker: $40–70
- Mid-Range: $80–150
- Luxury: $200+
🚌 Travel Tips
- Buses are safe and cheap for mainland travel
- Domestic flights to Galápagos depart from Quito or Guayaquil
- Inter-island ferries can be bumpy—bring motion sickness bands
- Cash is preferred in smaller towns and islands
📲 Useful Apps
- Moovit or Google Maps (local transport)
- iOverlander (backpacker resources)
- Maps.me (offline maps)
- XE Currency (real-time USD conversion)
Explore each region deeply. Travel slow. Fall in love with Ecuador twice.
Recent Travels
Check out all my travels!
🇪🇨 Discover Ecuador in Two Magical Journeys
Ecuador offers more than you can imagine in one trip. With four unique regions—the Andes, Amazon, Coast, and Galápagos—we suggest experiencing it all in two unforgettable adventures. Each trip allows you to immerse yourself in nature, culture, and adventure at a relaxed pace.
Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands hold a special place in the world, often referred to as a living museum of evolution. This remote archipelago, with its unique and diverse ecosystems, was the inspiration behind Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking theory of natural selection.