Question 1

Why visit Ecuador?

Accepted Answer

If you like nature and experiencing wildlife up close, there is no place like the Galapagos and the Ecuadorian Amazon. If you enjoy hiking, Quito, Cotopaxi, and Quilotoa are all great bases to launch yourself into the mountains. And if you appreciate photogenic places, Cuenca and Banos offer you the best options for that.

Have you ever browsed through Instagram and found a photo of a person swinging on the treehouse off the edge of the cliff, overlooking a volcano? Do you want one of those photos for yourself? Well, you're in luck because all those photos were taken at Casa del Árbol in Baños, Ecuador! If this photo doesn't make you want to visit Ecuador, I don't know what will!

Question 2

When to Visit Ecuador?

Accepted Answer

The weather in Ecuador generally varies depending on the area. The higher the altitude, the colder and more unpredictable it is. June to September is the warmest and driest period in the mountains, whereas May to November is quite cool in the south and on the coast. Galapagos is good all year round, whereas the Amazon will always be humid and warmer than other places.

I was there in October, and the weather was perfectly fine, with a relatively small number of cloudy days in the mountains.

Question 3

How to Get to Ecuador?

Accepted Answer

The best way to get here is to fly into Quito if you are coming from abroad. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from where you live to Quito that best fits your itinerary. If you are already in Colombia, you can simply cross the border from the north with a shared taxi from Ipiales to Quito and traverse from north to south as suggested in the itinerary.

Question 4

How To Get Around Ecuador?

Accepted Answer

Ecuador is a small country, so traveling around it is not much of a headache. Although buses can be quite old, with great roads, getting from one place to another is relatively easy and painless. When it comes to long distances, you have many buses to choose from at the bus terminals in Quito. Be sure to check your destination and get to the right terminal. There are 2 terminals, Terminal Quitumbe, which serves the southern route, and Terminal Carcelén, which serves the northern route.

For traveling around in Quito, if you are located in the old town part, walking around is the easiest option. If you are a little further from the center, local bus systems like El Trole, Metrobus, and Ecovia can get you to many places for as cheap as 0.25 USD.

For Galapagos, the only option is to fly from either Quito or Guayaquil (cheaper) with LATAM for US$351 round trip. Getting around the remote islands can only be done through private last-minute cruises that range from $600 USD for 3 days to $1100 USD for 6 days. You can do them independently, but only to a populated area, and the boat costs around $200 USD for round trip.

My recommendation is to go to the island and walk around the streets to find a last-minute cruise that works for your schedule. This way, you get access to places you won't be able to if you do it independently, and it costs the same. DO NOT book your cruise abroad as it could cost you an additional 2000 USD!

Start Here

Ecuador in 30 Days: A Backpacker's Itinerary

Planning

6 Months in South America: The Ultimate Itinerary

Explore Quito: 7 Best Things to Do & More

Visiting Banos: A Complete Guide to Awesome Activities & More

Discover South America: 20 Best Places to Visit

Exploring the Galapagos: Everything You Need to Know

34 Beautiful Travel Photos from Ecuador and Galapagos