What to do

If you are wondering what to do in Ecuador? Then, you have found the right place. First of all, learn about Ecuador and its spectacular natural diversity. There is a difference in climate between coast and inland areas. Most places are a few hours away. Ecuador is home to the famous Galápagos Islands. It also has many protected areas worth the visit.

Discover beautiful places to visit in Ecuador! Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights. Go explore while mingling with people in peaceful Andean towns, and Amazon towns. For sure, you will enjoy activities such as trekking volcanoes or mountains. Let's go swimming in hot springs, rivers, lakes or lagoons. Admire the architecture of churches and cathedrals. Visit the national parks and jungle towns for birding, and much more.

Here are our suggestions for what to do!

Explore by Region

Bird-watching, National Parks & Ecological Reserves
Cerro Blanco Forest is a tropical dry forest reserve in the Guayas province, Ecuador. It is located 20 minutes from the city of Guayaquil. Cerro Blanco supports more than 500 ...
Location: Guayas province
Beaches & Surfing, Bird-watching, Marine life (whales, dolphins, sea lions), National Parks & Ecological Reserves, Snorkeling & Scuba Diving, Spondylus route
Machalilla National Park is one of the largest protected areas located in Manabi, Ecuador. The park has many islands and beautiful beaches to enjoy, from June to September, humpback whales ...
Location: Manabí province
Bird-watching, National Parks & Ecological Reserves, Rivers, Lakes & Lagoons
Cajas National Park is located about 30 km west from Cuenca. Due to the altitude - 3,156 to 4,450 meters above sea level - it is really chilly in the ...
Location: Azuay province
National Parks & Ecological Reserves
The Petrified Forest Puyango has the largest collection of petrified wood in the world. Trees are about 100 million years old. There are two ancient roads: The Araucarios and the ...
Location: El Oro province
Rivers, Lakes & Lagoons, Volcanoes & Mountains
El Altar is an extinct volcano on Sangay National Park. 170 km south of Quito, near Riobamba. It has nine peaks surrounding a beautiful glacial crater lake. Surrounding the crater, ...
Volcanoes & Mountains
Chimborazo volcano is the highest peak of Ecuador. It is 20,564 feet (6,268 meters) height. The mountain is capped with eternal snow. Chimborazo volcano is the farthest point from the center ...
Rivers, Lakes & Lagoons, Volcanoes & Mountains
Quilotoa is an inactive volcano. It features an awe-inspiring volcanic crater lake. Surrounded by massive sheer cliffs and filled with deep blue and turquoise water. Quilotoa sits in the center ...
Location: Cotopaxi province
Rivers, Lakes & Lagoons, Volcanoes & Mountains
Mojanda lakes are three turquoise lagoons nestled in the Andes Highlands. They are amongst once-active volcanoes. Located in the Imbabura province, near Otavalo. "Lagunas de Mojanda" in Spanish. It has ...
Location: Imbabura province
Waterfalls & Hot springs
Condor-Machay is a waterfall located in the town of Rumipamba. This is 17 km. from Quito, Ecuador. Condor-Machay means "Nest of the Condor" in the Quichua language.  The hike to the Condor-Machay waterfall ...
Location: Pichincha province
Waterfalls & Hot springs
Peguche waterfall is one of the main attractions in Otavalo and its surroundings. Located 1.86 mi. (3 km.) North of Otavalo and 14 mi. (23 km.) South of Ibarra. "Cascadas ...
Location: Imbabura province
Bird-watching, Jungle Towns & Rainforest, Waterfalls & Hot springs
San Rafael waterfall, in the Coca River, is one of the largest waterfalls in the eastern part of Ecuador. This waterfall has a fall of more than 492 ft. (150 ...
Location: Napo province
Bird-watching, Jungle Towns & Rainforest, Waterfalls & Hot springs
Papallacta is a small town located in the Napo province, 20 miles west from Quito. Nestled between the Cayambe and the Antisana volcanoes. The town has an elevation of 10,800 ft. ...
Location: Napo province
Rivers, Lakes & Lagoons
Limpiopungo Lagoon is a beautiful lake formed by water from the glaciers. It is located very close to the Cotopaxi volcano. Limpiopungo lagoon is like a mirror that reflects the ...
Location: Cotopaxi province
Jungle Towns & Rainforest, National Parks & Ecological Reserves, Rivers, Lakes & Lagoons
Limoncocha Biological Reserve is located in the Sucumbios province, Ecuador. This is about 229 miles east from Quito. The reserve has an area of 11,399 acres (​​4,613 hectares). One of ...
Location: Sucumbios province
Bird-watching, National Parks & Ecological Reserves, Rivers, Lakes & Lagoons
Cajas National Park is located about 30 km west from Cuenca. Due to the altitude - 3,156 to 4,450 meters above sea level - it is really chilly in the ...
Location: Azuay province
Rivers, Lakes & Lagoons, Volcanoes & Mountains
El Altar is an extinct volcano on Sangay National Park. 170 km south of Quito, near Riobamba. It has nine peaks surrounding a beautiful glacial crater lake. Surrounding the crater, ...
Beaches & Surfing, Bird-watching, Marine life (whales, dolphins, sea lions), National Parks & Ecological Reserves, Snorkeling & Scuba Diving, Spondylus route
Machalilla National Park is one of the largest protected areas located in Manabi, Ecuador. The park has many islands and beautiful beaches to enjoy, from June to September, humpback whales ...
Location: Manabí province
Beaches & Surfing, Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Rabida Island is an unpopulated island. Most of the coastline is rocky except for a beach on the northeast side. Rabida Island has a peculiar red color, caused by the ...
Beaches & Surfing, Marine life (whales, dolphins, sea lions), Spondylus route
Puerto Cayo is a fishing village located south of Manabí, Ecuador. Its beach is about 3 mi (5 km). Puerto Cayo is the closest port to the Machalilla National Park. ...
Location: Manabí province
Beaches & Surfing, Spondylus route
Salinas is a coastal city located in the province of Santa Elena. Salinas is the main beach resort on the south coast of Ecuador. Salinas has a stretch of immaculate ...
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