Things to do in 

Ecuador

Find alternative things to do in Ecuador across the Andes, cloud forests, and Pacific towns that open doors to everyday traditions and wild places away from the usual circuit.

Cultural experiences: Share a chocolate tasting with growers in Mindo west of Quito, then learn to roast cacao over a wood fire. Watch toquilla straw hat weavers at work in Montecristi near Manta, or visit instrument makers in Peguche outside Otavalo for panpipes and drums. Seniors enjoy slow museum strolls in Cuenca’s Centro Histórico, while couples and luxury travelers unwind at a historic hacienda near Cotopaxi.

Day trip ideas: From Quito, head to Cotopaxi National Park for highland views and a gentle lagoon walk at Limpiopungo, or descend to the bird-filled cloud forest around Mindo. From Cuenca, wander the mirror lakes of Cajas National Park or visit the craft towns of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. From Guayaquil, kayak mangrove channels in Manglares Churute or spend a day on Isla Santay’s bike paths.

Explore Ecuador's regions: Follow the Avenue of Volcanoes south from Quito through Latacunga and Riobamba for markets, crater lakes, and big Andean skies. Drop into the Amazon from Tena or Misahuallí for canoe rides and night walks with Kichwa guides, a short flight or drive from Quito. Trace the Manabí coast from Ayampe to Puerto López for seafood shacks and boat trips to Isla de la Plata from the town pier. Many travelers pair Cuenca with the Galápagos, but the southern province of Loja and laid-back Vilcabamba reward slow days without flights.

Trip length: Plan 10–14 days to link the Andes, cloud forest, and coast; with 7 days, stick to Quito, Mindo, and Cotopaxi. If you’re adding another country, pair Ecuador with Peru to the south or Colombia to the north.

More places to see in Ecuador

Beyond Quito, the country shifts fast, from high lakes to cloud forests, hot springs, and the Pacific. Give yourself a few unhurried days to follow local rhythms in each place.

Otavalo: Get to Plaza de los Ponchos early for the market, then walk out to Peguche Waterfall where musicians often practice by the path. In the afternoon, trace the rim of Cuicocha Crater Lake on an easy section for wide Andean views before heading back into town for a hot canelazo.

Cuenca: Spend the morning in Cajas National Park around Laguna Toreadora, moving between mirror lakes and grassland. Back in town, browse the galleries at the Pumapungo Museum and then ride up to the Mirador de Turi for soft light over the red roofs.

Baños: Roll a bike along the Ruta de las Cascadas late in the morning and stop for the footbridge into the spray at Pailón del Diablo. After dark, soak in the Termas de la Virgen as steam rises into the cool air and the basilica towers glow across the street.

Puerto López: Walk the trail above the sand at Los Frailes in Machalilla National Park while the beach is still quiet, then try a bowl of shrimp ceviche at the town mercado for lunch. Later, visit the Agua Blanca community for the small museum and a sulfur pool soak under open sky.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Expect lush cloud forests and warm Pacific showers as March to May bring green hillsides and birdsong. Wander Quito and Cuenca between passing rains, then head to the Galápagos for calm seas and easy snorkelling that suits kids and first-time cruisers. Watch Holy Week processions colour historic streets with candles, music, and solemn pageantry.

Summer: Count on crisp, dry days in the highlands from June to August, perfect for trekking Cotopaxi or taking gentler hacienda strolls between village markets. Sail the coast near Puerto López to spot humpback whales, while the Galápagos cools a touch and teems with sea lions and diving birds. Settle into warm evenings at colonial plazas, a relaxed fit for couples and multi-generational trips alike.

Fall: September to November lands in a laid-back shoulder season with mild days and quieter trails. Drift through cloud forest reserves as birdlife peaks, sip cacao at coastal farms, and join locals for Day of the Dead with colada morada and guaguas de pan in early November. The slower tempo suits seniors and anyone keen to linger in cafés and leafy squares.

Winter: From December to February, the coast turns hot and sunny with brief afternoon showers, ideal for beach time in Salinas or surfy days in Montañita. The Galápagos is at its warmest and calmest for clear snorkelling, while the Andes see more rain but glow with Christmas lights, nativity displays, and bustling markets. Plan shorter scenic hops between towns and duck into museums when showers pass.

Time a visit around Ecuador’s big cultural moments to add depth to any itinerary. Inti Raymi and June solstice festivities animate Otavalo and the northern highlands; Ambato’s Festival of Fruits and Flowers brightens Carnival; Mama Negra parades sweep through Latacunga in November; Fiestas de Quito light up early December; Cuenca’s Pase del Niño Viajero moves on Christmas Eve; and Años Viejos effigies burn on New Year’s. On the coast, whale season from June to September in Machalilla National Park adds a wild highlight between beach days.