Ecuador tours & vacations

Archipelagos, Andes and the Amazon – Ecuador is made for exploring
Home to the Amazon Jungle, the Andean highlands, the Pacific coast and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador’s nickname as the country of four worlds makes a lot of sense. And while the impressive landscapes and theory-inspiring wildlife are often the drawcards, it’s the little moments of dinners cooked from volcanic stone with Indigenous families, toasting over Aguardiente in Quito or learning about conservation from Galapagos locals that truly leave an impression.
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Ecuador at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Quito (population 2.8 million)
POPULATION
18.2 million
CURRENCY
US Dollar (USD)
LANGUAGE
Spanish
TIME ZONE
(GMT-05:00) Bogota, Lima, Quito, Rio Branco
CALLING CODE
+593
ELECTRICITY
Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin)
Learn more about Ecuador
Best time to visit
There are two seasons in Ecuador, wet and dry, and they vary depending on the region. For the most part, Ecuador is a sunny, warm country, and even the wet season will bring its fair share of sunny days.
The best time to visit is largely dependent on your itinerary, although it should be noted that the Christmas period (December to January) is often the busiest, so be prepared for large crowds.
In the Amazon, August and December through March are the driest seasons and April to June are the wettest. In the highlands, the dry season is from June to September as well as December. The Galapagos and coastal regions are mainly influenced by ocean currents.
The hot and rainy season runs from January to April. It doesn't rain much, but you can expect some downpours at times. From May to December, it can be a bit cooler with more overcast days.
The high seasons in the Galapagos (June through August, December and January) are generally determined by holiday trends and not by weather conditions.
History and culture
Human settlement in Ecuador has been dated as far back to 3000 BCE. Since then, Ecuador’s history can roughly be divided into periods by defined by pre-Inca chiefdoms, the Inca period and the Spanish colonisation. It wasn’t until the 1800s that Ecuador became an independent republic.
Nowadays, the largest subgroup in Ecuador is those known as Mestizo who are a mix of Indigenous and White and make up approximately 77 per cent of the population. The official language of Ecuador is Spanish, and the Roman Catholic religion is the most widely practiced.
The Indigenous communities of Ecuador still embody the traditional ways of life with dress, arts, music and events with Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) being celebrated every June solstice.
Other popular events in Ecuador include Carnival, Mama Negra and Cuenca Independence Day.
Geography and environment
Tucked away on the continent’s Pacific coastline, Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America. Bordering Colombia in the north and Peru in the south, Ecuador contains its own segments of some of South America’s most famous landmarks, including the Amazon rainforest and the Andes.
Adding to Ecuador’s list of natural wonders are the incredible Galapagos Islands, which lie about 621 miles west of the mainland. These volcanic islands are famed for their association with botanist Charles Darwin, who spent considerable time studying their incredible biodiversity.
Eating and drinking
Ecuadorian cuisine is largely shaped by its abundant fresh produce. Seafood and plantain dominate the coast, with dietary staples including ceviche, tropical fish (particularly corvina or sea bass) and seafood soups such as encebollado.
Creamy coconut milk is commonly used to create flavourful sauces. Look for the word ‘encocado’ on menus – it means the dish is served in a coconut sauce.
Foods to try in Ecuador
1. Locro de papa
A classic Ecuadorian potato and corn soup, usually served with cheese, corn and avocado.
2. Encebollado
Usually made with albacore tuna, encebollado is a pickled onion fish soup. Ecuadorians swear this soup is the ultimate hangover food.
3. Ceviche
There are many variations of this dish, but just about all of them use seafood as its core ingredients, such as fish, shrimp, octopus, squid, crab, clams or lobster. It’s diced and then marinated in various ways for flavor.
4. Ceviche de chocos
Vegetarians don’t need to feel left out while everyone is feasting on all the ceviche – ceviche de chochos is a vegetarian alternative. An Indigenous bean called chocho is combined with onions, tomatoes, cilantro (coriander), limes, oranges and tomato sauce, then topped with maiz tostado (toasted corn nut), chifles (plantain chips), avocado and hot sauce.
Top 5 natural wonders of Ecuador
1. Volcanoes
Ecuador is a climbing and mountaineering paradise with some of the grandest (and most active) volcanoes in the world. Just south of Quito lies the ‘Avenue of Volcanos’, which includes the country's highest peak and no less than nine awe-inspiring volcanos.
2. Beaches
Ecuador is a beach lover’s haven with a well-earned reputation for supplying some of the most gorgeous spots on South America’s Pacific coast.
3. The Andes
Hard to ignore, the Andes form Ecuador’s rocky spine and are home to breathtaking tropical valleys, snow-capped peaks and fresh mountain lakes. A welcome escape from Ecuador’s hot summers, the Andes offer an unforgettable array of high-altitude adventures.
4. The Amazon
Rich in color and natural diversity, Ecuador is blessed with a sizeable portion of the famous Amazon rainforest. Lying to the west of the Andes, this incredible jungle is home to some of the world’s most fascinating and unique species, as well as being an ideal place to enjoy activities such as canoeing, trekking and bird watching.
5. Galapagos Islands
Journey to a lost world and discover a wildlife sanctuary that continues to inspire visitors and scientists alike. Relatively untouched by human life, the Galapagos is an ecological Disneyland, the jewel in Ecuador’s already glistening crown.
Money matters
The official currency of Ecuador is the US Dollar (USD).
Credit cards are usually accepted by hotels, large retailers and tourist sites but are less commonly accepted by smaller vendors and family-run restaurants and market stalls. Always carry enough cash for smaller purchases in case credit cards are not an option.
ATMs are easily found in large cities and airports, although they are less common in rural and remote areas. When travelling out of the city, be prepared by having enough cash, as ATMs aren't always available.
Ecuador travel FAQs
Travelers from most nationalities need a visa to enter Ecuador. For more information, please visit the Government of Ecuador’s website or the Essential Trip Information.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.
You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.
Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
While tipping isn’t mandatory, tips are very much appreciated by service workers and guides. Leaving a 10% tip is customary in restaurants. Some automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill, in which case an extra tip isn’t required.
Ecuador is a country with a tropical climate, so you’ll need to pack clothes that are lightweight and breathable. Whether you’re up in the highlands, down in the Amazon or across the water in the Galapagos, make sure you’ve got good closed-toe shoes and a rain jacket.
If you’re headed to the Galapagos, bring sandals that can be used to walk over rocky surfaces, a swimsuit and sun protection.
If you’re going into the Amazon, it’s a good idea to have long, light-colored, tight-weave cotton pants and shirts, along with thick socks, insect repellent and some binoculars.
Travelers should avoid drinking tap water in Ecuador. For environmental reasons, try to avoid bottled water. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found, as some hotels provide this. Remember to peel fruit and vegetables before eating and avoid ice in drinks.
Internet can be accessed at internet cafes and hotels in large cities and towns but is limited in rural and remote areas.
Cell phone coverage is good in Ecuador’s cities but may not be available in rural and mountainous areas. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.
Ecuador has a mix of Western-style flushable toilets and squat toilets. Either way, always carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, as these are not always provided. You’ll notice that most flushable toilets have a waste basket next to them. This is because toilets in Ecuador can’t handle toilet paper and will overflow if you try to flush it. Instead, always put used toilet paper in these baskets.
Ecuador is a relatively hassle-free destination for LGBTQIA+ travelers. Same-sex marriage was legalised here in 2019 and LGBT discrimination is illegal. In saying that, conservative attitudes still exist throughout the country, and LGBTQIA+ travelers are generally advised to use discretion when it comes to public displays of affection.
If you are traveling solo on an Intrepid group trip, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travelers who do not wish to share a room.
Most people can start to feel the effects of altitude at over 2000 m (6561 ft) regardless of age, gender or fitness level. Quito, as well as other tourist spots, sit above this elevation and some travelers might experience symptoms of altitude sickness, including shortness of breath, headache, nausea and loss of appetite. It’s important to take it easy, drink plenty of water and speak to your group leader at once if you feel unwell.
We recommend seeing your doctor if you have any health concerns before undertaking the trip. Particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition or take any medication.
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveler
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveler. Trips to Ecuador directly support our foundation partner, Galapagos Conservancy.
Galapagos Conservancy
The Galapagos Conservancy protect the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos. Donations from our trips support their Galápagos Conservancy Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WISE) program, providing critical capital for sustainability initiatives and building the entrepreneurial capacity of Galápagos women.
Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.
Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customized trip just for you.