Nowadays you can find a lot of Backpackers travelling all around Latin America. When backpacking through Latin America we definitely recommend you to make a stop in Ecuador to discover the beauty of this diverse South American country!
Down below you can find the list of the best places to visit while you are in Ecuador. We recommend you to visit them all in 3 to 4 weeks:
Cuenca is the second most important colonial town of Ecuador and the first big city that arrived from Peru. What can you do here? Visit the city, the churches and do some day trips to Ingarpirca or the Parque Nacional de Las Cajas.
Guayaquil is the beating commercial heart of Ecuador. From here you can visit nearby small cities on the coast and enjoy all that a harbor city can offer. From this location you can also easily take a plane to visit the amazing Galapagos Islands!
Montañita is a great town for Backpackers to party during the night and relax during the day on the beach!
Puerto Lopez is another town on the coast, which is a bit more quiet. Here you can relax on the beach, do some snorkelling or day trips to “La Isla de la Plata” and during the months of June till September you may get lucky and spot some whales!
Riobamba is the city you need to go if you like climbing or like to do hikes on the Chimborazo volcano (6310m). The Chimborazo volcano is the highest mountain in the world! You can also attend in an organized tour to the famous train, “La Nariz del Diablo.”
Baños is a small town that is famous for its water and extreme activities. Here you can do Canopy, Rafting and Canyoning these are just some of the many things you can do here! Baños is also a backpackers town, here you can find a lot of parties at night.
Tena is the first town in the Jungle. If you don’t have much time to stay in a Lodge deep in the jungle, Tena is a good compromise. Here you can spot lots of different wildlife and still be in a town.
Papallacta is a small town very known for its thermal station! You can spend a day or two in relaxing in its hot springs.
Quito capital city is known as the most beautiful colonial city of Latin America!! You can visit many churches, museums and go to the cable car to enjoy a hike on the closest mountain. Here you can attend in a day tour though the old town of Quito.
Quilotoa is a beautiful crater lake. During the tour you will visit a traditional market or an Andean town, then you can hike down to the lagoon which is located in the crater of the old volcano. After hiking down you can take a horse up again and visit a traditional family house.
Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano of Ecuador. Since Cotopaxi is an active volcano it depends on the conditions of the volcano if you are allowed to hike up to the base camp or the glacier of the Volcano. Check current conditions of the volcano with your private tour operator. During a day tour you will also have the opportunity to hike around the Limpiopungo Lake, and enjoy a part of mountain biking in the area as well (optional).
Mindo is a beautiful rainforest where you can visit a butterfly farm, enjoy a hike where you will see some beautiful waterfalls, do some Canopy (ziplining), spot lots of birds and visit a chocolate factory!
Cayambe is a volcano situated in the north of Quito where you can enjoy mountain biking or horseback riding!
Otavalo is a small town close to Quito. It is very famous for its indigenous market where you can find lots of different souvenirs made by local people.
Cuyabeno Reserve is the best place if you wish to enjoy a real and unique jungle experience! You can spend 4 to 6 days here in a lodge in the middle of the rainforest here you will be doing night walks, canoeing, enjoying good food and being immersed in all the magic of a rain forest jungle. You will also have the opportunity to spot lots of birds, pink dolphins, monkeys, snakes, insects and much more!
Written by Manon Renaux
