What makes Ecuador a travel destination?
Ecuador combines four worlds of travel: the Andean highlands with Quito at 2,850 m, the Amazon lowlands around Tena, the Pacific coast and the Galápagos Islands, reachable from Quito in roughly 2 h 10 min to 3 h of flight time. Running north to south through the highlands is the «Avenida de los Volcanes», with more than 70 volcanoes and mountains.
This chain of volcanoes includes Chimborazo at 6,263 to 6,268 m (figures vary — see below) and Cotopaxi at 5,897 m. According to Quito Turismo, Otavalo, Mindo, Papallacta and Cotopaxi National Park are each less than two hours from Quito.
The security situation calls for careful planning: crime is high on the coast and in the border area with Colombia, and the foreign ministries of Switzerland, Germany and Austria publish ongoing travel advice on this.
Sources: Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · FlightConnections · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland) · Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA, Austria)
What landscapes and cultures shape Ecuador?
Ecuador stretches from a Pacific coastline of more than 1,000 km, across the Andes with their glaciated volcanoes, to the Amazon basin; the Galápagos Islands lie 928 to 1,272 km off the mainland. Besides Spanish, Kichwa and Shuar are official languages for intercultural relations.
In the highlands, the Sierra, the Federal Foreign Office describes a temperate climate with strong temperature swings, while the coast and the eastern lowlands, the Oriente, have a hot, humid tropical climate. According to the 2022 census, 7.7% of the population identifies as Indígena, most belonging to Kichwa groups; the Amazon is also home to Shuar and Waorani peoples.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, Quito has the largest and best-preserved historic centre in Latin America, while Cuenca, crossed by four rivers, has an old town of domed churches. Guayaquil is the country's largest city and most important port. In the lowlands, Yasuní National Park, the largest protected area on the mainland, shelters more than 1,400 animal species.
Sources: Wikipedia · Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel)
Which regions belong on an Ecuador trip?
In the highlands lie Quito with the Mitad del Mundo, Otavalo, the volcanoes Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Chimborazo, Baños and Cuenca. Add to this the Amazon around Tena, Cuyabeno and Yasuní, the Pacific coast and the Galápagos Islands. Special safety advisories from the foreign ministries apply to the coast.
Quito and Mitad del Mundo
Quito sits at 2,850 m; its old town has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1978. On the Plaza Grande stand the cathedral and the government palace, and the church of La Compañía is entirely lined in gold leaf. The equator monument Mitad del Mundo lies about 23 km north of the city: the 30 m-high structure commemorates La Condamine's 1736 survey of the equator, although the yellow line on the grounds does not sit exactly on 0°.
Otavalo
Otavalo sits at roughly 2,500 m, about 110 km, or a two-hour bus ride, north of Quito. The Plaza de los Ponchos is considered the largest indigenous market in Latin America; nearby are the Peguche waterfall, Lago San Pablo and the Cuicocha crater lake.
Avenida de los Volcanes: Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Chimborazo
Cotopaxi (5,897 m) is among the highest active volcanoes in the world; in the national park, trails lead to the Limpiopungo lagoon and the José Rivas refuge at 4,864 m. Quilotoa is a caldera roughly 3 km across with a greenish crater lake up to 250 m deep, usually reached from Latacunga. Near Riobamba rises Chimborazo: the Ministry of Tourism states 6,268 m, while a 2016 geodetic survey by Ecuador's Instituto Geográfico Militar (IGM) together with the French research institute IRD, accurate to about 3 cm, put the summit at 6,263 m. Because of the Earth's flattening at the equator, it nonetheless remains the point on the Earth's surface farthest from the planet's centre.
Baños de Agua Santa
Baños sits at 1,820 m at the foot of Tungurahua, about 180 km from Quito, and is known for its thermal baths and 16 waterfalls, including the Pailón del Diablo; certified operators run rafting and canyoning trips. Austria's BMEIA advises checking beforehand for restrictions caused by the intermittently active volcano.
Cuenca and the south
Cuenca sits at 2,450 to 2,600 m; its old town has been on the World Heritage List since 1999. The city is a well-known marketplace for Toquilla straw hats; nearby lie Cajas National Park with its many mountain lakes and, 80 km to the north, Ingapirca, the country's most important archaeological site, dating from the Cañari and Inca periods.
Amazon: Tena, Cuyabeno and Yasuní
Tena lies 193 km, or about a 3 h 45 min bus ride, from Quito and is a starting point for rafting and community tourism run by Kichwa communities. The Cuyabeno Reserve is reached via Lago Agrio and a boat trip of about 1 h 40 min, while Yasuní National Park, between the Río Napo and Río Curaray, is reached via Coca, capital of Orellana province, whose airport serves as a transit point for tourists. In the northern Amazon region, Switzerland's FDFA recommends travelling with a local guide. More on the Amazon page.
Pacific coast
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the coast has 110 tourist beaches, including the surf spots Montañita and Olón and Puerto López near Machalilla National Park, a starting point for whale watching from June to September. Special safety advisories from the foreign ministries apply to the coastal provinces; Switzerland's FDFA recommends organized trips with recognized agencies there.
Galápagos
The islands are reachable by domestic flight from Quito or Guayaquil. Foreign visitors aged 12 and over pay a 200 USD park fee plus 20 USD for the transit card (as of 2026); more on the Galápagos page.
Sources: Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Wikipedia · Wikipedia (English) · Wikipedia · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA, Austria) · El Comercio · Wikipedia · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · FlightConnections · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Parque Nacional Galápagos · Wikipedia · Wikipedia
Destinations
Regions with their own page
Islands and regions
When is the best time to visit Ecuador?
For the highlands, June to September is considered the best time; Quito Turismo names October to May as the rainy season, with afternoon showers. On the coast it rains mainly from January to April, while the Amazon lowlands are hot and humid year-round. Galápagos can be visited all year, and is warmest from December to May.
Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil: average daily highs and lows and monthly rainfall
| Quito | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Low °C | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Rainfall mm | 139 | 143 | 176 | 177 | 122 | 58 | 34 | 25 | 38 | 76 | 90 | 100 |
| Cuenca | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 |
| Low °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
| Rainfall mm | 85 | 97 | 124 | 107 | 89 | 79 | 58 | 51 | 49 | 80 | 86 | 82 |
| Guayaquil | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 |
| Low °C | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 |
| Rainfall mm | 123 | 215 | 212 | 126 | 38 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 24 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station IZOBAMBA (21 km, 3058 m), auf 2850 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station MARISCAL LAMAR (3 km, 2532 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station SIMON BOLIVAR INTL / JOSE JOAQUIN DE OLMEDO INTL (4 km, 6 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
In the highlands, temperatures change little over the year; the table shows mild days and cool nights for Quito and Cuenca, with July and August the driest months in Quito. Austria's BMEIA recommends good sun protection, while Germany's Federal Foreign Office warns of bush and forest fires during the summer months, particularly in Pichincha province.
Guayaquil has a pronounced rainy season at the start of the year and near-dry months from June to November; Austria's BMEIA warns of flooding and landslides from January to April. On Galápagos, it is warm with clear water from December to May, and cooler but rich in marine life thanks to the Humboldt Current from June to November.
| Region | Favourable months | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Highlands | June to September | October to May: afternoon showers |
| Coast | July to November | January to April: rainy season |
| Amazon | year-round | landslides after heavy rain |
| Galápagos | year-round | warmest December to May |
Sources: Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA, Austria) · Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel)
How dangerous is the altitude in Quito, at Cotopaxi and at Quilotoa?
Quito sits at 2,850 m, the rim of the Quilotoa crater reaches 3,914 m, and the refuge on Cotopaxi sits at 4,864 m. According to healthytravel.ch, the risk of altitude sickness begins at around 2,500 m. Quito Turismo advises taking the first 24 to 48 hours easy before heading to higher destinations.
| Place | Altitude | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Guayaquil | sea level | no altitude issues |
| Baños de Agua Santa | 1,820 m | below the 2,500 m threshold |
| Quito | 2,850 m | take the first 24 to 48 hours easy |
| Quilotoa | crater rim up to 3,914 m, lake around 3,500 m | only after some days in the highlands |
| Quito cable car (Teleférico), upper station | 4,050 m | 18-minute ride from 2,950 m |
| Cotopaxi, José Rivas refuge | 4,864 m | after acclimatisation |
| Chimborazo, summit | 6,263–6,268 m | only with local mountain guides |
Two figures circulate for Chimborazo: the Ministry of Tourism (ecuador.travel) cites 6,268 m, while a 2016 geodetic survey by Ecuador's Instituto Geográfico Militar with the French IRD, accurate to about 3 cm, found 6,263 m; this page therefore gives both figures.
Typical symptoms of acute mountain sickness are headache, nausea, loss of appetite and sleep disturbances, usually appearing, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, after 24 hours at altitude. healthytravel.ch advises that above 2,500 m, sleeping altitude should increase by no more than 300 to 500 m per day. If dizziness, vomiting, unsteady gait or shortness of breath appear, descend immediately.
Preventive medications such as acetazolamide are prescription-only and should be discussed with a doctor. For the route, this means: start slowly after arriving in Quito, avoid alcohol on the first day, and save the highest destinations — Quilotoa, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo — for the end of the Andes leg.
Sources: Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Wikipedia · Wikipedia (English) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · El Comercio · healthytravel.ch (Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine) · Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · Wikipedia · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel)
What do I need to enter Ecuador?
According to Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA, German and Austrian nationals may stay up to 90 days without a visa; the passport must remain valid for six more months on entry. For Swiss nationals, the FDFA refers travellers to Ecuador's embassy in Bern; Switzerland is not on Ecuador's list of countries whose citizens require a visa. Other nationalities have their own rules (as of September 2026).
| Item | Switzerland | Germany | Austria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | not visa-required | no, up to 90 days per year | no, up to 90 days |
| Document | Passport | Passport, national ID card not accepted | Passport |
| Passport validity | 6 months | 6 months | 6 months |
Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists 45 countries whose citizens need a visa in advance, including China, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Egypt, Cuba and Venezuela. Haitian nationals must additionally register for tourism purposes beforehand. Anyone not on the list enters visa-free as a tourist; the permitted length of stay and any further requirements should be confirmed with an Ecuadorian representation.
Austria's BMEIA requires a return or onward ticket and recommends checking the entry stamp, since it often does not read 90 days. Anyone entering overland from Peru or Colombia has needed, since 2024, a criminal record certificate with an apostille and a Spanish translation. For Galápagos, a return flight ticket, hotel reservation and the transit control card (TCT) are required.
Only the official authorities are authoritative: FDFA, Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA and, for all other nationalities, Ecuador's representations abroad as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA, Austria) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana del Ecuador · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana (Cancillería del Ecuador)
What vaccinations and precautions does Ecuador require?
Most travellers need no mandatory vaccination: according to the CDC, a yellow fever certificate is required only from travellers who have spent more than ten days in Colombia, Peru, Brazil or Bolivia, or who are arriving from the DR Congo or Uganda. healthytravel.ch recommends yellow fever vaccination for areas below 2,500 m east of the Andes — for example for Amazon trips and Baños in Tungurahua province — and for Esmeraldas province, but not for Quito, Guayaquil or Galápagos.
The vaccination must be given at least ten days before arrival. Anyone entering from Peru, Colombia, Bolivia or Brazil should check the certificate requirement: the sources (healthytravel.ch and the CDC) assess it differently, so clarify the rule with the embassy or a travel medicine clinic before departure.
There is a moderate malaria risk below 2,000 m in parts of the Amazon basin, including Yasuní; Quito, Guayaquil and Galápagos are malaria-free. Dengue, chikungunya, Zika and Oropouche occur; dengue cases have also been confirmed on Galápagos.
Private hospitals require a credit-card guarantee before treatment, and medical care in rural areas and on Galápagos is basic. Travel insurance with repatriation cover is strongly recommended.
Have vaccinations, malaria prevention and any emergency medication checked by a travel medicine specialist at least four weeks before departure.
Sources: healthytravel.ch (Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine) · CDC Travelers' Health · Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA, Austria)
How safe is Ecuador for travellers?
Switzerland's FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA describe crime as high to very high and warn of robberies and organized crime. The border area with Colombia and coastal cities such as Guayaquil, Durán, Esmeraldas and Machala are particularly affected. Anyone travelling there should first check the current travel advice from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA.
| Area | Main risk | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal cities (Guayaquil, Durán, Esmeraldas, Machala) | Violent and organized crime, armed robberies | Plan a stay only with current travel advice from the foreign ministries and local guidance |
| Border area with Colombia | High crime in the border area | Check the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA before any planning |
| Quito, Cuenca and the highlands | Theft, pickpocketing, armed robberies, express kidnappings | Use only official taxis, even for short trips at night |
| Volcanic areas (Sangay, Reventador, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua) | Volcanic activity, earthquake zone | Check the situation in advance with the Instituto Geofísico and the park authorities |
Switzerland's FDFA names Quito with Pichincha, Guayaquil, Cuenca and the entire coast as particularly affected by theft and armed robbery. In express kidnappings, victims are forced to make cash withdrawals, often with taxi drivers involved. Protests and road blockades can also close off access roads to airports.
- Use only official taxis (yellow or white with an orange licence plate), including at night for short trips.
- Avoid overland travel at night, including by bus.
- Never leave drinks unattended, and do not resist if robbed.
- Take excursions into the interior with a local guide.
Ecuador also lies in an earthquake zone: according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, Sangay and Reventador are active, while Cotopaxi and Tungurahua are under intensive monitoring.
The situation can change quickly. Current advisories: FDFA, Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA.
Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland) · Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA, Austria)
How do you get to Ecuador and travel around the country?
International flights land in Quito (UIO) and Guayaquil (GYE). From Europe, Air Europa, Iberia and Euroairlines fly nonstop from Madrid, with Madrid–Quito taking about 10 h 25 min, alongside KLM from Amsterdam; from North America there are nonstop flights including from Miami, Houston, Atlanta, New York and Toronto (as of September 2026). Within the country, domestic flights and a dense bus network link the regions; overland journeys should only take place during the day.
| World region | Quito (UIO) | Guayaquil (GYE) |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | Madrid 10 h 25 min (Air Europa, Iberia, Euroairlines), Amsterdam (KLM) | Madrid 11 h (Air Europa, Iberia, Euroairlines), Amsterdam (KLM) |
| North America | Miami 4 h 20 min, Houston 5 h 15 min, Atlanta 5 h 25 min, Toronto 6 h 10 min, Montreal 6 h 20 min, New York-JFK 6 h 25 min | Miami and Fort Lauderdale each about 4 h 35 min, New York-JFK 6 h 40 min |
| Central America | Panama City 2 h (Copa), San José (Costa Rica), San Salvador, Mexico City 4 h 40 min | Panama City 2 h 10 min (Copa), San José (Costa Rica) |
| South America | Bogotá 1 h 35 min, Medellín, Lima 2 h 15 min, Santiago de Chile (seasonal), Buenos Aires | Bogotá, Medellín, Lima 1 h 55 min, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires |
| Asia, Africa, Oceania | no nonstop flights; connect via Europe, North America or Panama City | no nonstop flights |
Mariscal Sucre airport lies about 40 km from central Quito; the express bus takes roughly 45 minutes, and authorised taxis wait at the terminal around the clock. In the city, the metro runs from south to north in about 34 minutes.
| Destination | Mode of transport | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Otavalo | Bus | about 2 h |
| Baños de Agua Santa | Bus | about 3 h 15 min |
| Tena | Bus | about 3 h 45 min |
| Cuenca | Flight | about 1 h |
| Guayaquil | Flight | 40 to 55 min |
| Galápagos | Flight, often via Guayaquil | 2 h 10 min to 3 h |
Long-distance buses depart from the Quitumbe and Carcelén terminals; according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, pricier bus companies are considered more reliable, and both the FDFA and the Federal Foreign Office advise against night journeys. For a rental car, German nationals need a national driving licence with a Spanish translation or an international driving licence; Austrian nationals can use their national licence with a passport for up to 30 days.
Sources: FlightConnections · FlightConnections · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Wikipedia · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA, Austria)
What should you know about money and costs in Ecuador?
The national currency is the US dollar, supplemented by Ecuadorian centavo coins. Because of counterfeiting concerns, shops and banks usually refuse 50- and 100-dollar bills, so small denominations are important. Cards are not accepted everywhere, and German debit and credit cards do not always work at ATMs, so a cash reserve is sensible.
According to Austria's BMEIA, euros can be exchanged at banks and exchange bureaus. Germany's Federal Foreign Office advises paying cashless where possible and carrying only the cash needed for the day. Cash amounts of 10,000 USD or more must be declared on entry.
- Quito metro 0.45 USD per ride, city bus 0.35 USD (as of 2026)
- Entry to waterfalls around Tena 1 to 2 USD (as of 2024)
- Galápagos: park fee 200 USD from age 12, transit card 20 USD (as of April 2026)
- Speedboat between Galápagos islands 30 to 35 USD per leg (as of 2025)
Sources: Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA, Austria) · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Parque Nacional Galápagos · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel)
Where do you stay in Ecuador?
In Quito, guests stay in the old town near the sights or in the modern district of La Carolina/Iñaquito; in Otavalo and Baños, hosterías, some with thermal water, are typical, while in the Amazon there are lodges and community tourism centres, some reachable only by boat. Switzerland's FDFA advises paying particular attention to safety when choosing accommodation.
The La Carolina/Iñaquito district has hotels, restaurants and shopping centres and sits on the metro line; in the nightlife district of Mariscal Sucre, Germany's Federal Foreign Office warns of theft. For Galápagos, a hotel reservation must already be in hand at departure.
Sources: Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA, Austria)
What do you eat in Ecuador?
The cuisine follows the regions: the highlands offer locro de papa, fritada (fried pork) and mote made from corn; the coast serves ceviche, encebollado and encocado with coconut milk; and the Amazon has maito, river fish cooked in a leaf wrapper. Fanesca is cooked for Holy Week, and colada morada is drunk on the Day of the Dead in November.
Locro de papa is a thick potato-and-cheese soup, while fanesca, made with young grains, belongs to Holy Week. Encebollado from Guayas combines tuna, cassava and onions, and ceviche Jipijapa comes with peanuts. In the highlands, canelazo — made from naranjilla juice, cinnamon, panela and aguardiente — warms travellers up.
Germany's Federal Foreign Office advises avoiding non-industrially produced fruit and sugarcane juices.
Sources: Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Federal Foreign Office (Germany)
Which festivals and traditions define Ecuador?
Many festivals blend Andean, Catholic and, in part, African traditions: the sun festival Inti Raymi, around 21 June, is celebrated in Cotacachi and Ingapirca among other places; the Yamor festival takes place in Otavalo at the end of August or start of September; and the Mama Negra parade takes place in Latacunga in September and again in November. Weaving Toquilla straw hats has been UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2012.
In Cotacachi, communities fill the main square on 22 June with zapateo dances; in Ingapirca, Inti Raymi usually runs from 17 to 23 June. At Yamor in Otavalo, a chicha made from seven kinds of corn takes centre stage; the Mama Negra parade blends indigenous, Spanish and African traditions.
Switzerland's FDFA advises only photographing people with their explicit consent, for example at markets and festivals.
Sources: Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland)
What can you experience in Ecuador?
Typical experiences include riding Quito's Teleférico cable car up to 4,050 m, a day at Mitad del Mundo, a hike around the Quilotoa crater lake, the waterfalls near Baños including the Pailón del Diablo, and a few nights at an Amazon lodge. From June to September, humpback whales can be watched off the coast.
- Quito Teleférico: climbs from 2,950 to 4,050 m in 18 minutes, with views over the row of volcanoes at the top.
- Cotopaxi National Park: the Limpiopungo lagoon and the climb to the José Rivas refuge.
- Baños: thermal baths, the swing at the Casa del Árbol, rafting and canyoning.
- Papallacta: thermal springs of volcanic origin, about 2 h from Quito.
- Mindo: cloud forest with birds, orchids and butterflies.
- Cuyabeno: canoe trips, night walks and river dolphins.
- Whale watching: from Puerto López, Salinas or Ayangue with accredited operators.
Safety standards vary for canyoning, rafting and mountain tours; Switzerland's FDFA and Germany's Federal Foreign Office advise checking operators and equipment and only undertaking mountain tours with local guides.
Sources: Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland) · Federal Foreign Office (Germany)
How do you travel more sustainably in Ecuador?
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the 200 USD Galápagos park fee is an environmental levy that goes directly toward protecting the islands' ecosystems. For whale watching and adventure activities, the ministry recommends accredited operators with authorised guides, and around Tena there are community tourism centres such as Sinchi Warmi.
On Galápagos, luggage is inspected; fresh fruit, seeds, plants and live animals are prohibited.
Sources: Parque Nacional Galápagos · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel) · Quito Turismo (Visit Quito)
What can Ecuador be combined with?
The obvious pairing is the mainland with the Galápagos Islands, reachable from Quito or Guayaquil by domestic flight, or with a few days in the Amazon. Peru and Colombia are also close by: the nonstop flight from Quito to Lima takes about 2 h 15 min, and Quito to Bogotá about 1 h 35 min.
To Peru, the border crossings are Huaquillas and Macará; to Colombia, the Rumichaca bridge near Tulcán. Entering Ecuador overland requires an apostilled criminal record certificate. The Galápagos and Amazon pages help with planning.
Sources: FlightConnections · Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland)
Who is Ecuador suited for, and who should think twice?
Ecuador suits travellers who want to combine volcanoes, indigenous markets, colonial cities and rainforest over short distances, and who want to add the Galápagos on top. It is less suitable for a beach holiday on the mainland coast, for spontaneous independent travel involving night buses, and for people whose health is affected by altitudes above 2,500 m.
Ecuador suits hikers in the highlands, birdwatchers in Mindo and the Amazon, and families combining an Andes tour with Galápagos. Anyone with heart or lung conditions should check the altitude with a doctor beforehand.
Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (Switzerland) · Federal Foreign Office (Germany) · healthytravel.ch (Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine) · Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador (ecuador.travel)
