Galapagos Islands Animals - Lina Stock
Bartolome Island in the Galapagos
Napo Wildlife Center - Yasuni National Park - Divergent Travelers

Ultimate ECUADOR Travel Guide

Ecuador is a country located in South America. Quito is the capital and it is a country known for its natural wonders, culture, and architecture. Our Ecuador travel guide is here to help you see the best it offers.

The country is typically split into two main sectors, the mainland and the Galapagos Islands. However, you’ll learn quickly that the mainland is comprised of distinct regions that vary wildly from each other.

On the mainland you’ll find the colonial cities spread across the country. The regions comprise of the highlands, Amazonia and the coast.

In the Galapagos Islands, there are two main islands where you can fly in and out of. Most people join cruises around the islands, which is the best way to see them, but it is also possible to stay on the two islands with airports too.

Destinations

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
AMAZON RAINFOREST
YASUNI BIORESERVE

ECUADOR TRAVEL: QUICK TIPS

Ecuador
  • Do you need a visa? US Citizens get a free 90day Visa on Arrival
  • Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
  • Climate: Tropical & humid across the entire country with the exception of when at elevation, where weather is more temperate
  • Primary Religion: Catholic
  • Local Languages: Spanish
  • Etiquette Tips: Dress modestly, do not flash valuable or wear expensive jewelry, ask before photographing people, do not give money to begging children
  • WIFI: Available in most, if not all, accommodation throughout the state. Many restaurants and tourist offices offer free WIFI too.
  • SIM Cards: If you have an unlocked phone, it is possible to pick up a local SIM card at most Ecuador airports on arrival. This will enable you to have data like you would at home. Another alternative is a universal SIM card that works in multiple countries.
  • Travel Insurance: With all travel, we highly recommend you take out a travel insurance policy when you book your trip. This will cover your trip in case of any unforeseen events happen.

Don’t Visit ECUADOR Without:

UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER

GET A GUIDEBOOK

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

PLANNING TO VIST MORE OF SOUTH AMERICA?

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTH AMERICA

WHERE TO STAY IN ECUADOR

Below you will find some of the places we have stayed during our travels in Ecuador. These are individual properties that we enjoyed and would recommend to other travelers.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN ECUADOR

Anyone looking to travel to Ecuador will likely fly into Quito and connect to the other airports across the country. From these major cities, it is possible to use public transportation to see the city or take buses further afield.

Many people choose to engage in group tours or day tours to get around and see things in Ecuador. It is also possible to rent a car and plan a road trip that takes you further afield and out of the city. If you’re visiting the Galapagos, one of the most popular ways to explore is by booking a cruise.

TOP ECUADOR TOURS

Cotopaxi Volcano in Ecuador
HIGHLANDS OF ECUADOR

8 Days from Quito

Visits: Otavalo, Cotopaxi, Alausi & Cuenca

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AMAZON, HOT SPRINGS & VOLCANOES

9 Days from Quito

Visits: Otavalo, Papallacta, Tena, Banos & Cotopaxi

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ECUADOR MAINLAND & GALAPAGOS

14 Days from Quito

Visits: Papallacta, Tena, Banos & Galapagos Islands

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PLAN YOUR TRIP LIKE A SEASONED PRO!

ULTIMATE TRIP PLANNER

ECUADOR TRAVEL: BOOKING RESOURCES

  • Skyscanner – A fantastic flight search engine that searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss. Every single flight search we do starts here.
  • Hotel Seach Engine – Our custom-built hotel search engine allows you to search hotels all over the world and compare prices before booking. It pulls the best prices from all the major online travel agents, such as Expedia, Priceline, Booking, etc. to one place.
  • Discover Car Hire – Allows you to search car rentals across multiple rental agencies worldwide.
  • Viator – The best trips are made up of multiple smaller tours to really dig in and get to know the places you are visiting. Our preferred place to book day tours, day trips and shorter multi-day tours is Viator.
  • G Adventures – If you want to do a group tour around Ecuador, go with G Adventures. They offer great small group tours that use local operators and leave a small environmental footprint. If you go on a tour with anyone, go with them.
  • World Nomads – We don’t travel without insurance and you shouldn’t either!
Divergent Travelers- Adventure Travel Blog