Ecuador Tours & Vacations

About 65 per cent of Ecuadorians have a mixed European background and 25 per cent are indigenous (there are more than a dozen distinct groups). The rest of the population is predominantly from either Spanish or African descent. It’s a small country, but food, dress, dialects and customs can vary throughout.

Ecuador’s two largest cities – Quito and Guayaquil – split most of the population into mountain living and coastal living. People from the coast (Guayaquil) call mountain people (Quito) conservative, whereas mountain people have been known to argue that those from the coast are uncultured. While usually contained to light banter, this rivalry sometimes creates tension between the two cities.

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 ingredient, such as fish, shrimp, octopus, squid, crab, clams or lobster. It’s diced and then marinated in various ways for flavour. 

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.

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.

Like many other South American countries, Ecuador’s coastline boasts a large number of pristine beaches. Mantra, Crucita, Canoa and Montanita are among the famous spots, however there are many other national parks and small coastal towns that offer their own variations of beachside bliss.

Ecuador’s capital, Quito, is located in the north of the country and is renowned for its colonial architecture. To the west of the city is Pichincha, one of Ecuador’s many spectacular volcanoes.

Adding to Ecuador’s list of natural wonders are the incredible Galapagos Islands, which lie about 1000 km west of the mainland. These volcanic islands are famed for their association with botanist Charles Darwin, who spent considerable time studying their incredible biodiversity.

Follow in the footsteps of Darwin on our 10 day Best of Galapagos trip

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. While there are no shortage of backpacker havens and crowded Ecuadorian holiday spots, those seeking a little more privacy should check out the beautiful Manta and the gorgeous Machalilla National Park.

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.

Explore the Andes and the Amazon on our 8 day Ecuador Highlands trip

4. The Amazon

Rich in colour 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.

Discover incredible wildlife on our 8 day Galapagos Island Hopping trip

If you're looking for gifts to take home after your trip, you'll find plenty of local markets throughout the country. Here are a few top shopping spots to buy local goods and souvenirs in Ecuador.

1. Quito

In Quito, the Olga Fisch Gallery is an excellent place to shop clothing, ceramics, paintings and other creations by Ecuador’s best artisans and craftspeople. Be aware that the gallery focuses on high-end products and the price tags reflect the quality.

2. Otavalo

Otavalo Market in the city of Otavalo – the largest and most famous market in South America – is the best place in the country to shop for handmade artisan goods including alpaca sweaters, textiles, ceramics, leather products, jewellery and woodcarvings.

Known locally as Plaza de los Ponchos, Otavalo Market has been around for hundreds of years, predating Incan times. Vendors sell their wares seven days a week, though Saturdays and Wednesdays are the best days to go when more vendors are set up. Like most markets in Latin America, bargaining is accepted.

3. Cuenca

Despite popular opinion, Panama hats are not from Panama, they are an Ecuadorian creation. Originally woven using local straw along the coast, these days they’re mostly made in Cuenca.

The city’s hat factories offer an interesting glimpse into the production of this UNESCO-listed craft. Make sure to shop around if you are in the market to purchase your own Panama hat as price and quality vary greatly (between USD 10 and USD 250).

Cuenca is also famed for its ceramics. Artesa and E. Vega Galeria – the workshop of Ecuador’s most famous artist, Eduardo Vega – are two notable places to shop for quality ceramics.

Ecuador has a busy festival calendar. Here are some of the country's most popular events:

1. Carnival

While many associate colourful costumes and giant floats with Carnival, celebrations in Ecuador are a bit different. Here, the week before Lent (usually in February) is marked with boisterous water/food fights.

Friends and strangers alike can expect to be doused in all kinds of things including flour, water balloons and eggs. If this sort of play sounds more annoying than fun, head to Ambato, where flour is replaced with flowers.

2. Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)

Commemorating the June solstice and harvest, this festival is celebrated by indigenous communities across South America. The main event in Ecuador takes place in Otavalo, where barbeques, bonfires, traditional dances and parades go on for a week.

3. Mama Negra

The most important event on the Latacunga calendar features a parade of characters in flamboyant costumes, dancing, drinking and general revelry. Honouring both the Virgen de las Mercedes and the 19th century liberation of African slaves, it’s so important it happens twice – once in September and then again in November.

4. Cuenca Independence Day

Celebrations fill every corner of the city each November as Cuenca commemorates its independence from Spain. Overlapping with the annual Day of the Dead festival, streets fill with people taking in parades, dances, and sporting events; crafts fairs are held across the city; and food vendors set up at cemeteries while families visit the graves of loved ones.

Thinking about a trip to Ecuador but still browsing other destinations? Check out tours to neighbouring countries:

Colombia

• Colombia tours

Peru

• Peru tours

Brazil

• Brazil tours