Looking for the best reasons to visit Ecuador later this year? Stop looking, you are in the right place! After living there for (almost) 2 years, I can tell you all about why you should plan a trip to Ecuador!
You’ve heard about this tiny South American country but don’t really know anything about it, so now you are looking for the best reasons to visit Ecuador to see if it is worth a trip?
Let me spoil it quickly: YES, IT IS! But don’t just take my word for it; take a look at this article and find out for yourself why you should visit Ecuador!
I’m going to answer all your questions! “What is Ecuador famous for?”, “What are the best places to visit in Ecuador?”, “What are the ultimate things to do in Ecuador?”, and so much more… So get ready and start planning your trip to the Country of the Four Worlds, because by the end of this post, you will feel the urge to visit… I promise you!
This article highlights the very best reasons to visit Ecuador and why you can’t possibly miss out on this surprising country!
WHAT IS ECUADOR FAMOUS FOR? 11 REASONS TO VISIT ASAP!
Before starting with the best reasons to visit Ecuador, let me quickly give you an overall view of the country. Where is Ecuador? What language do they speak there? Which currency do they use? How big is the country? Etc., etc. So you can start preparing your trip to Ecuador right now!
Ecuador is a rather small country, with less than 18 million inhabitants, located on the Pacific coast, between Colombia and Peru. But small doesn’t mean not worth visiting! The particularity of Ecuador is the diversity of its land. Beaches, mountains, rainforest, cloud forest, páramo, islands… You will find any landscape you are looking for there!
The official language, as it is in most of the South American continent, is Spanish, but some Ecuadorians still speak their ancestors’ language, Kichwa. Unless you know Kichwa, you probably won’t understand it, as it doesn’t sound anything like Spanish. English is not very well-spoken in Ecuador, so unless you are planning on visiting only the most touristic spots and attractions, I recommend you learn the basics of Spanish before your trip.
The official currency in Ecuador is the US dollar. It used to be the Sucre, but after a financial crisis in the early 2000s, the country adopted the US currency and has been using it ever since. In my opinion, it makes everything easier for foreign tourists.
Now that you have an overview of the Country of the Four Worlds, let me dive into the best reasons to visit Ecuador!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: IS CUENCA, AND ALL OF ECUADOR, safe?
A MULTITUDE OF THINGS TO DO IN ECUADOR
In my opinion, one of the best reasons to visit Ecuador is all the things you can do there. As I mentioned before, Ecuador is an incredibly diverse country, which means there is a huge variety of activities to enjoy!
It doesn’t really matter what you are into, you will probably be able to do it there! Hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, visiting museums, paragliding, chilling in nature, shopping, photography, bird watching… YOU NAME IT!
Honestly, I can’t think of one activity you won’t be able to do in Ecuador. And the best part? If you are coming from Europe or North America, it will probably be much cheaper than it is back home.
ECUADOR NATURE AND WILDLIFE
Did you know that Ecuador is home to more than 6% of all animal and plant species reported worldwide? For such a small country, I believe it is mind-blowing!
I get it, we are not all nature and wildlife lovers, but honestly, even if you are not passionate about it, you are going to love it!
If I can share one of my secrets… I am scared of most animals and don’t feel comfortable around them. But when you get the chance to watch animals and birds that you’ve only heard of or seen on television, you quickly forget about your fears and start enjoying every second of it.
And if you are passionate about it, you will feel like you are in heaven! There are a ton of tours and excursions you can book to see and learn about Ecuador’s wildlife. Be warned, though, they tend to be expensive… But if you do your research and choose your excursions wisely, it will be 100% worth it!
And if you are on a tight budget, don’t worry! You can easily enjoy Ecuador nature and wildlife for free. All you need to do is get out there and have a bit of luck if you want to see the rarest species of plants and animals.
THE ECUADORIAN ANDES
Oh, my… The Ecuadorian Andes! If you are a mountain lover, this is the reason for you to visit Ecuador! I don’t mean to brag but… I’ve been living and traveling there for almost two years now, and there is not one thing not to love about it.
Not only are Cuenca, the most beautiful city in Ecuador, and Quito, the capital city, located in the Andes, but you will also find more than 80 volcanoes in this famous mountain chain! Some are extinct, some are active, and others are currently erupting! So believe me, if you thought that one volcano looks like any other, Ecuador is going to prove you wrong!
Fun fact about Ecuador? The summit of its most famous volcano, the majestic Chimborazo, is the closest point to the sun on Earth! How crazy is that?
If you are an avid hiker, why not attempt to reach it? Nothing is cooler than standing as close to the sun as possible… But, if you don’t want to or just can’t hike such a colossal mountain, don’t worry, you can still enjoy the views or drive to the refuge! No matter which option you choose, you will find all the information you need right here!
Now, if you are not into mountains at all, but still want to visit the Ecuadorian Andes, you will find plenty of villages, towns, and cities to visit on your way. And believe me, some are the cutest!
AMAZON RAINFOREST ECUADOR
Who has never dreamt of visiting the Amazon rainforest? Well, you can live this incredible experience in Ecuador! And let me tell you, it is even better than what we see in the movies!
Monkeys, exotic birds, piranhas, anacondas… Any kind of exotic animals and plants you have heard about, you might be able to see them in the Ecuadorian Amazon! If that’s not one of the best reasons to visit Ecuador…
To enter the Amazon rainforest, you will have to book a guided tour, though… It can be expensive, but the memories you make there will last a lifetime! A quick tip for you when booking your tour? Do your research in Spanish! English-written tour operators’ websites tend to target foreigners and therefore charge you more! Don’t worry, though, most guides will be able to speak English to tell you everything there is to know about this unique place!
Oh, and I almost forgot… Have you heard of ants that taste like lemon? Well, if you visit the Amazon rainforest, you will!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON?
GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
Darwin, the giant tortoises, the marine iguanas, the blue-footed boobies, etc… Does that ring a bell? Well yes, they are all iconic in the Galápagos! And guess what? The Galápagos Islands are part of Ecuador! If you didn’t know that, don’t worry, I didn’t either before meeting my Ecuadorian boyfriend.
But are the Galápagos Islands worth the hype? Oh, my… Yes, they are! Let me tell you, if you have the budget for it, you should definitely add it to your list of places to visit in Ecuador!
White sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, incredible wildlife and nature… You are going to have a blast! But as I said before, you need to fit your trip there into your budget, and it can be tricky… Indeed, everything is more expensive in the Galápagos Islands than on the continent. But believe me, it will be worth every penny you spend!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: HOW TO GET TO THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS FROM ECUADOR?
ECUADOR BEACHES
If you can’t fit a trip to the Galápagos Islands into your budget, don’t worry! There are plenty of incredible beaches in Ecuador, and some lovely coastal cities and towns.
If you are looking for outdoor activities in Ecuador that don’t require hiking, you will find happiness on the coast! From seaside resorts to hidden wild beaches and national parks, there are plenty of reasons to visit Ecuador and its beautiful coastal region.
Oh, and while you are there, don’t forget to try the food… Ecuadorian cuisine is something else on the coast… And, I think everybody who has visited the country will agree with me, it’s the best you can have there!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: ECUADOR COASTAL CITIES!
ECUADOR HIKING TRAILS
Now, if you are looking for outdoor activities in Ecuador and you love hiking, or even just want to give it a go, you will be in heaven!
Ecuador is home to 11 National Parks, each with dozens of hiking trails… So let me tell you, you will be spoiled for choice! And you know what’s the best part about it? Each National Park looks different from the others, which means that even if you visit them all, you will never see the same scenery. When I said Ecuador is a really diverse country, I meant it!
So put your hiking shoes in your bag and start planning some outdoor adventures!
Here you will find everything about each National Park in Ecuador.
For the most avid hikers, why not try to hike to the summit of a volcano? That will be a memory that lasts a lifetime! But if you are going to climb a volcano, please don’t be reckless and hire a guide… There are way too many incidents every year in the mountains because people don’t want to spend money on a professional.
UNESCO SITES IN ECUADOR
Did you know that there are 5 UNESCO Sites in Ecuador? Here is a list so you know the best places to visit in Ecuador during your trip:
- Cuenca
- Quito
- Quito’s historic center
- Sangay National Park
- The Galápagos Islands
You must know by now that Quito is the capital city of Ecuador, and even though the historic center is lovely, to me, there is no better city than Cuenca… I might be biased, as I’ve been living here for almost two years now, but I believe most Ecuadorians will agree with me.
Lovely streets and buildings, an impressive cathedral, tons of markets, and numerous parks for chilling after a long day… I just fell in love with Cuenca the first time I visited in 2021. So if you are still looking for the best reasons to visit Ecuador, add this UNESCO World Heritage Site to your travel itinerary!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: NIGHTLIFE IN CUENCA, ECUADOR!
ECUADOR CULTURE AND HERITAGE
If you are coming from a country outside of Latin America, the culture and heritage of Ecuador are going to surprise you! But surprise you in a good way, don’t worry…
History, customs, traditions… Everything is different than it is in Europe or North America, for example. And that’s what makes it so beautiful.
Ecuadorian people are, in general, really proud of their culture and heritage. And they have every right to be! I will let you discover what this country has to offer, but honestly, I really hope they will preserve it in the upcoming decades. It is just beautiful to see so many traditions still thriving to this day!
ECUADOR CULINARY EXPERIENCES
Oh myyyyyy… Don’t get me started on Ecuadorian food. This alone is one of the best reasons to visit Ecuador! No wonder why I put on 10 lbs the first time I visited…
The only tip I can give you is to try everything they offer you… Especially the things that might seem weird to you. I haven’t found one dish that I don’t like since visiting Ecuador for the first time. Everything is just delicious… And if you are a picky eater, I’m sure you will still find some dishes you will like!
Honestly, don’t be shy and try them all!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: WHAT IS THE NATIONAL DISH OF ECUADOR?
BUDGET TRAVEL ECUADOR
Good news for you! If you’re a budget traveler, Ecuador is the right destination for you!
Food and accommodations are cheap, and traveling around the country by bus is also relatively budget-friendly. The only things that could quickly add up to your budget are the excursions and guided tours. But don’t worry, if you are on a strict budget, there are tons of free things to do in Ecuador!
Here are a few tips if you are traveling Ecuador on a budget:
- Eat where locals eat and ask for an almuerzo for lunch and a merienda for dinner. They should cost you less than $3 each, and I promise you will be full for hours!
- Travel by bus. Ecuador’s bus transportation system is surprisingly well-established! There is not one place you can’t visit by taking the bus. They go absolutely everywhere, from the big cities to the smallest villages… Just go to the bus station and ask for your destination. Ecuadorian people will be more than happy to help you.
- Buy your groceries at the farmers market instead of the supermarket! Prices in the supermarkets are at least double the prices of the products at the farmers market. So don’t even think about it… And honestly, if you want to live the real Ecuadorian experience, that’s the place to be!