Destinations in Ecuador are not easy to rank. Each place has its unique vibe, its own unique story, and its unique scenery. If you are a city person who prefers to take a cultural walk down the most iconic Ecuadorian streets, take your pick from Quito down to Santo Domingo, Guayaquil and Cuenca. If you crave the ultimate nature excursion, take your choice from the sun-kissed Galapagos Islands to the numerous, breathtaking waterfalls at Baños that seem like it’s straight out of a postcard.

The Galapagos Islands

If you’re traveling to Ecuador, it would be hard to miss the world-famous Galapagos Islands. Known as the “melting pot” of marine species, life in this archipelago sparked Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection in 1835. Here, you will find the giant tortoise, the flightless cormorants, land iguanas, the Galapagos mockingbirds, and the only species of penguins found north of the equator, to name a few.

Four (4) out of more than 120 islands and islets are the only inhabited islands, and you can only tour the different islands by a pre-arranged boat. The inhabited towns are also worth driving around, and you can charter a vehicle to do this.

How Do You Get to the Galapagos Islands?

You can only access the Galapagos Islands by a plane that lands in either two (2) domestic airports in the archipelago. Domestic flights only come from mainland Ecuador, and Galapagos Authorities would need you to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours before arrival in Galapagos.

City of Quito

Quito is the capital city of Ecuador. It is also a regional gateway of business, tourism, art, and industry for its neighboring South American countries. Quito started as an Incan City during the 16th century, explaining the unique architecture that you will see around the city. What’s also unique about Quito is that it is a city nestled 2,818m up the Andes. Hence, the climate is relatively cold.

You will see how invested the city planners were in the design of the city. Art was incorporated in the buildings’ architecture, and the streets strategically aligned with the compass’s principal points.

What Can You Do in Quito?

Quito is a city brimming with life and spirit. A drive through the checkerboard streets will already excite anyone. Add in a walkthrough tour of Quito’s Historical Center, and you will realize how much culture there is to appreciate in Ecuador. Quito was the first city to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site together with Krakow, Poland.

Inga Pirca Ruins

A significant part of Peru and Ecuador’s history was born out of the Incan Civilization’s ingenuity. Dubbed as the Machu Picchu of Ecuador, the Inga Pirca is perched at 3,180m above sea level and was once the bustling city of ancient times.

Apart from the Ruins themselves, what makes Inga Pirca a sought-after destination is the original Inca Trail constructed more than ten centuries ago! If you want to experience the original trail, you’ll have to take the immersive 3-day hike. The 40 km Inca Trail hike is one for the books because you will follow the path that was once stepped on by the great Incans. The entire route will be surrounded by the most enchanting wilderness views teeming with wildlife, both native and endemic.

How Do You Get to the Inga Pirca Ruins?

To get to the Inga Pirca Ruins, you can either hike the 40 km Inca Trail, drive directly to the Ruins, or ride public transportation. The nearest area to Inga Pirca is Cuenco. If you take public transportation, you can ride the 9:00 am bus from the Terminal Terrestre in Cuenca. The bus will stay in the Ruins for about 3 hours and go back to Cuenca around 1:00 pm. A lot of tourists also choose to rent a car as they can save more time.

Baños de Agua Santa

Baños de Agua Santa, or more popularly known as Baños, is the waterfalls capital of Ecuador. The place gained its name from its water’s healing powers, thought to have been drawn from the Virgin Mary who appeared at the Cascada del Virgen Waterfalls. Also, Baños is endowed with numerous hot springs where visitors can relax after a day of nature-tripping. Even locals favor going to Baños a lot!

How Far is Baños?

Baños is tucked away in the foothills of Mount Tungurahua. From Quito, it will take you about 3 hours to drive to Baños. If you come from Cuenca, the fastest route will incur almost 6 hours of driving time. Lastly, if you come from Guayaquil, it will take you about 5 hours and 20 minutes to reach Baños by private car.

Rucu Pichincha

Rucu Pichincha is a 4,698 m stratovolcano that is very close to the capital city of Quito. You might think that its relative distance from the urban center draws in crowds and crowds of hikers. However, Rucu Pichincha’s trails may not be very welcoming to the faint of heart, which is why the tracks are far from crowded. You’ll need to hire an authorized guide to get you to the summit.

Where Is Rucu Pichincha Located?

Rucu Pichincha is located just outside the urban borders of Quito to the east. It is only about an hour’s drive or less from the central area. To get to the jump-off point for the summit hike, you’ll need to ride the TeleferiQo Cable Car up to 12,943 feet and hike the rest of the trail up to 15,413 feet.

Zaruma

Away from the breathtaking physical activities of Ecuador’s numerous nature parks and the charming hype of Quito’s cobblestone streets, Zaruma offers a more laid-back township for travelers who enjoy quieter walks. This quaint town was initially built for the miners who worked in the nearby gold mines. A stroll through the streets of Zaruma will make you feel like you’re in a Hollywood movie set in the early 1900s.

Zaruma is teeming with a lot of small specialty cafes. If you’re fond of artisan coffees, Zaruma is a great place to explore. Also, the Tigrillo dish is a must-try for everyone who plans to visit the area!

Where Is Zaruma Located?

Zaruma is located within the Province of El Oro. It is strategically situated at the Andes’ western slopes within the Premontane Rain Forest, which influences the cool and moist microclimate in Zaruma. It is about a 10-hour drive from Quito, a 4-hour drive from Cuenca, and a 4.5-hour drive from Guayaquil. One might assume that a small town may not have such a robust implementation of traffic rules. Think again. You should always bring with you your International Driving Permit in Ecuador.