Looking for the most unusual things to do in Ecuador? You are in the right place! Take a look at these 13 cool things to do in Ecuador and start planning your trip!
If you are wondering why you should visit Ecuador, I’ve got 13 answers for you that will convince you right away!
After living there for almost two years, I’m finally sharing with you the most unusual things to do in Ecuador. And believe me, there is even more to it than these 13 experiences!
I am so excited for you to visit this wonderful, and unfairly underrated, country! Keep reading and start planning your trip to Ecuador right now! I promise, you won’t regret it!
This post is all about the 13 most unusual things to do in Ecuador. Get ready to have the time of your life!
Go kayaking in the crater of an active volcano
It sounds scary, I know. But how cool is that? If you are looking for unusual things to do in Ecuador, this one is definitely at the top of the list!
Take a bus or drive to Quilotoa Lake, and once you get there, start by soaking in the view. You might cry from so much natural beauty.
To go kayaking in the crater of the active Quilotoa Volcano, you will first have to go down to the shore of the lake. Going down is easy… I wouldn’t say the same about going back up, though. Walking at that kind of altitude (4000m above sea level) can be hard and challenging, but SO REWARDING!
Don’t worry, if you can’t make it, locals rent horses on the path to help visitors.
If I remember correctly, renting a kayak by the shore of Quilotoa Lake costs $5 per person for 30 minutes.
Why not challenge yourself and try to make it to the other side of Quilotoa Lake and back in that amount of time?
Visit Incas ruins in ingapirca
When thinking about Inca ruins, everybody thinks about Machu Picchu in Peru. But did you know that Ecuador also has its own Inca ruins site? Now you do!
Ingapirca is located an hour away from the beautiful city of Cuenca. You can get there by bus from the bus terminal or by car if you have rented one.
I don’t think it’s necessary to book a guided tour from Cuenca to get there. It would cost you around $100 if you do, versus $11 if you go on your own.
The bus ticket costs $3.50 each way (so $7 in total), and the entrance to the Ingapirca site only costs $2. The entrance fee includes a guided tour of the ruins, as you can’t wander by yourself on the site.
The history and cultural heritage behind these ancient ruins are definitely one of the most interesting and unusual things to do in Ecuador.
Watch the whales migrate
If you are traveling in Ecuador from mid-June to October, here is an unusual thing to do that you will love: whale watching on the coast.
From mid-June to October, whale watching on the Ecuadorian coast is a must-do! If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to witness humpback whales migrating to escape the chilly waters of the Antarctic Ocean.
But where should you go, you might ask? Here are the four best spots for whale watching in Ecuador:
- Puerto Lopez
- Mompiche
- Salinas
- Machalilla National Park – Los Frailes Beach
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Hike to the top of an active volcano
Ecuador is known for a lot of things, but the number one might be its large number of volcanoes in the northern part of the Andean region.
So, if you are looking for unusual things to do in Ecuador, here is one activity you can’t miss!
Ecuador is home to 84 volcanoes, and around 20 of them are still considered active. So, if you want to hike to the summit of one, you’ll have more than a few options!
Here is my list of recommendations, along with the difficulty to reach the top:
- Cotopaxi (5897m) – 2-day hike to the summit – High intensity
- Quilotoa (3914m) – 4-day loop around the crater – Low intensity
- Cayambe (5790m) – 2-day hike to the summit – High intensity
- Tungurahua (5023m) – 2-day hike to the summit – Moderate intensity
swim with sharks and marine turtles
If you are planning a trip to Ecuador, you have probably heard of the Galápagos Islands and their (INSANE) biodiversity.
Whether you are an experienced scuba diver or want to try snorkeling for the first time, what you see underwater in the Galápagos Islands will blow your mind!
And do you want to know the best part?
You don’t necessarily need to book an expensive tour to enjoy the marine turtles and other creatures. Rent a snorkeling kit (or bring your own) and go explore on your own! You might not see everything you would with a tour, but believe me, you will be amazed!
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Spend a few days exploring the Ecuadorian Amazon
Definitely one of the most unique and unusual things to do in Ecuador! Take a trip to the Ecuadorian Amazon.
If you come from Europe or North America, what you will see will be etched in your mind forever.
This kind of excursion can be expensive, I know. And if you are on a budget, it might be hard to make it fit in.
But don’t worry, I have THE solution for you!
Some biologists working in the Ecuadorian Amazon are looking for volunteers to help them in their research and everyday life. (My best friend is currently doing it!) Prices might vary, but from what I know, it can be as cheap as $30 for a week, and they will provide you with three meals a day and a place to sleep (sometimes in a tent, but for $30…).
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Visit a sacred waterfall in Otavalo
La Cascada de Peguche, or Peguche Waterfall, is an ancient sacred waterfall located 5 minutes away from the lovely town of Otavalo.
If you are visiting Ecuador, I highly suggest you add Otavalo to your itinerary.
A lovely town located an hour north of Quito, there is a lot to do and see there, and one of the most precious things to see is the Peguche Waterfall.
The waterfall is part of a peaceful forest, and this place will be perfect for you to escape the noise of the city and relax for a few hours. Don’t forget that the waterfall is considered as sacred by locals, so be respectful of their cultural heritage!
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Eat guinea-pig
Talking about unusual things to do in Ecuador… Have a taste of guinea pig.
Guinea pig is a traditional dish in most of the Andean region. I know it might sound weird for most of us to eat a guinea pig as we tend to consider it as a pet… But when you know that French people eat rabbits, you realize that it might not be THAT odd.
Honestly, it is not the tastiest meat I’ve tried, but it isn’t bad either. The only downside is that it is kind of expensive ($20 for an entire guinea pig).
But hey, if you are looking for unusual things to do in Ecuador, let’s be adventurous and try it!
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Stand in the middle of the world
Probably the number one tourist attraction of the country, but when you come from another country, standing in the middle of the world is definitely a crazy thing to experience.
Located outside Quito, you can go there on a day trip from the capital. Buses travel there several times a day, so you shouldn’t have any problem getting there if you are not driving. And don’t worry about packing a lunch or forgetting something; the place is a literal village, and you will find anything you need right there!
A little advice: the place gets crowded fast, so you might want to arrive early in the morning.
See and Climb to the closest point to the sun on earth
Did you know that the closest point to the sun on Earth is located in Ecuador? Let me introduce you to Chimborazo!
Considered one of the hardest (if not the hardest) hikes in Ecuador, you might not be able to reach the top of Chimborazo.
But that’s okay; you can still enjoy the view of Chimborazo from other cities (Riobamba, for example) or drive to the first refuge and walk around to experience being on the closest mountain to the sun on Earth!
No matter the option you choose, you will have a blast. This is such a unique thing to do in Ecuador, and I believe, IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!
Meet the world’s biggest tortoise
Back to the Galápagos Islands… Did you know that the world’s biggest tortoise lives there? How cool is that?!
You might have heard of the Galápagos Giant Tortoises before, and what a unique thing to do in Ecuador to be able to see them in their natural habitat.
If you are staying in Santa Cruz, one of the main islands in the Galápagos archipelago, you MUST visit the Highlands Tortoise Reserve. You will learn everything about this species and will be able to watch them living their lives in their natural habitat.