Quito seen from El Panecillo

In-depth country guide

Ecuador

Andean cities, volcanic horizons and islands alive with wildlife.

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A country worth knowing

Make room for a different kind of journey.

Make Ecuador a journey of contrasts at a comfortable pace: Quito’s squares, cloud forest around Mindo, the high Andes and the wildlife of Galápagos. This guide focuses on Andean and island destinations. Choose a few bases and allow time for altitude, weather and the transport that connects them.

First-time highlights.

01

NORTHERN ANDES · CAPITAL

Ecuador on film

Ecuador Travel introduces the country’s varied landscapes. Use Quito as your first city base, then choose the regions that fit your time and current travel advice.

Explore QuitoWatch the introduction ↗
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Cuenca’s New Cathedral02

SOUTHERN ANDES · HERITAGE CITY

Cuenca

Blue domes, river walks and a city made for a longer stay.

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Textiles at Otavalo’s market03

NORTHERN ANDES · MARKETS & WATERFALLS

Otavalo

Textiles, conversation and a green path beyond town.

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Cotopaxi volcano04

CENTRAL ANDES · NATIONAL PARK

Cotopaxi

Open páramo and a volcanic skyline that follows the weather.

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Baños de Agua Santa from the surrounding hills06

ANDEAN FOOTHILLS · WATERFALL COUNTRY

Baños

A waterfall day and a town that deserves its own pause.

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Cloud forest around Mindo07

CHOCÓ ANDINO · CLOUD FOREST

Mindo

A greener world of birds, forest paths and patient looking.

Explore Mindo
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The ruins at Ingapirca10
OFF THE BEATEN PATH

SOUTHERN ANDES · CAÑARI & INCA HERITAGE

Ingapirca

Stonework, open highlands and a site with more than one history.

Explore Ingapirca
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Loja, Ecuador11
OFF THE BEATEN PATH

SOUTHERN ANDES · CITY & CULTURE

Loja

Squares, church towers and a quieter southern stay.

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Give each place its own time

Choose your next discovery.

The journey is in the details.

Plan your visit →People, food & culture →
Sources, credits & editorial notes

Reviewed 12 November 2026. Pacing and base suggestions are ATA editorial choices. Accommodation links are direct enquiry points, not inspected-property endorsements or claims of ATA membership. Confirm current services, access and terms. Photographs are credited beside the images and may show earlier conditions.

Overview photography credits

Quito seen from El Panecillo, Cayambe · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Display crop.

Cuenca’s New Cathedral, Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Display crop.

Textiles at Otavalo’s market, Tupak Amaru Ishkay · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display crop.

Cotopaxi volcano, Just a Brazilian man from Brazil · CC BY 2.0 · Display crop.

Quilotoa crater lake, Annom · Public domain · Display crop.

Baños de Agua Santa from the surrounding hills, Ymblanter · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display crop.

Cloud forest around Mindo, nearsjasmine · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Display crop.

Marine iguana at Las Bachas, Santa Cruz, Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display crop.

Punta Pitt, San Cristóbal, Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display crop.

The ruins at Ingapirca, Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Display crop.

Loja, Ecuador, Arabsalam · CC BY 4.0 · Display crop.