The first time I visited Ecuador, I was overwhelmed with the beauty.  Historic Quito, the capital, and sits almost 10,000 feet above sea level.  The mountains were so close and at night the stars seemed so close.

Ecuador is a small country but diverse.  It is the first in the world to recognize legally enforceable Rights of Nature.  It has a relatively low crime rate and a perfect country to explore.  Head to the Galapagos if you can, and have an experience of a lifetime.

Ecuador at a Glance

Top Experiences in Ecuador

1.      Quito.

Is the capital city of Ecuador, it is the first place you should visit when you arrive in the country, it stands at 2850 meters at sea level. Its historic center is the best preserved in all of South America, when nightfall the lights of the houses illuminate all of Quito to give it a dreamlike appearance. Also, you cannot miss the opportunity to ride the cable car that takes you to Rucu Pichincha, and you can walk to the Summit for almost 5 kilometers, this cable car have a beautiful view. In addition, the city have many parks and museums that you can visit.

2.      Mindo.

Is a town located about an hour and a half northwest of Quito. It is a town that is covered in clouds most of the time, it is not ideal if what you are looking for is sun, is an amazing town for nature lovers and those looking to relax and get away from the stress of the city, it is a very nice picturesque town. It is a great place if you are looking to see butterflies or birds, or take incredible chocolate tours, they are pretty good chocolates, it is worth taking this great tour. Don´t forget to hike aroud the waterfall if you go to Mindo.

3.      Otavalo.

Otavalo is a city in the province of Imbabura about an hour and a half north of Quito. This city is mainly inhabited by indigenous people, who are famous for manufacturing and selling textiles in the market, which is open all week but has more activity on Saturdays. Otavalo is a perfect plan for a day trip but also, there is a cattle market, a wonderful church and the Peguche waterfalls are attractions that are worth visiting. The Condor Park is a sanctuary for recued birds, offering views of beautiful birds that are native to Ecuador.

4.      Cotopaxi.

Sitting at almost 6000 meters the views of the Cotopaxi volcano is incredible. It is an active volcano with a snowy tip and really fascinating. It is great for those who are into mountain climbing, and is relatively easy for people with basic training.  But it is not only a good place for climbing, many people visit Cotopaxi to hike, trek, mountain bike and just observe life.  I recommend that you put Cotopaxi as one of the first places to visit in Ecuador.

5.      Quilotoa.

The incredible view of the Quilotoa lagoon will leave you breathless, do not forget to bring a camera. You can walk around the lagoon with various wild animals such as foxes or you can look for a 4 day tour through various valleys and village until ending at the Quilotoa lagoon. The lagoon has a beautiful emerald green color and a phenomenal view towards the mountains.

6.      Baños.

It is located 3 hours from Quito. This is one of the most visited places in Ecuador, you must be prepared for the crowd if you go to Baños. Popular attractions include the breathtaking views from the “Pailon del Diablo” waterfall and the famous “Swing at the end of the world”. It is the perfect destination for lovers of extreme adventures as they practices rafting, mountain biking or tarabita. But also, those who do not like these activities, there is much to do and see. Besides nature and activities, there is also a very active nightlife in Baños.

7.      La Nariz del Diablo.

La Nariz del Diablo, or the Devil´s nose train.   It is a mountain train that was built to link the trans-Andean railway and was considered done of the most complex and unique railways in the world. Is amazing and an incredible experience. Throughout the entire journey the view is indescribable, you can see a large part of the city.  It is truly an engineering masterpiece that connects several tourist areas, from the mountains to the coast. The Devil´s Nose has always been the most popular section of Ecuador´s rail system. The elevation of the track drops some 500 meters over the course of only 12 kilometers.  It is very slow but worth enjoying.

These spots we are mentioned in Ecuador are the most beautiful places to visit and enjoy alone, with friends, or family. You can take the opportunity to visit incredible historical sites and cultures. Before traveling in Ecuador, keep each of these places in mind.