Top Ecuador How to Get Around in 2026

Spend a day immersed in the beauty of Ecuador’s Mindo Cloud Forest when you embark on this full-day tour from Quito. Hike into the forest with a private guide and visit a butterfly farm, learn how to take photos of hummingbirds, spot several species of birds, and see beautiful waterfalls. You also have the option to include other activities like tubing or ziplining (at an additional cost).

Don’t let limited time stop you from discovering the wonders of the Amazon. This activity-packed day trip gives you the ultimate introduction to the world’s biggest rainforest by organizing boat rides and visits to indigenous communities. Learn much more about the local culture than you would alone and heighten your chance of spotting wildlife with the help of your guide.

Without insider tips from locals, it can be hard to shortlist the best street food stands in Quito. Avoid the guesswork, and get expert advice with this essential street food tour. Taste your way around the city and try a variety of local bites. Conveniently, lunch, coffee/tea, and soft drinks are included, so there's no need to stop and pay at each food spot.

Explore the rugged surroundings and stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park and Cotopaxi Volcano during this full-day trip. Enjoy a short hike into the Limpiopungo Valley before driving ever-higher into this sky-high region, stopping at the 15,800-foot (4830-meter) Padre Rivas Refuge. If you’re feeling up for it, you’ll continue to the 16,500-foot (5,050-meter) Cotopaxi Glacier. This Cotopaxi day trip also includes national park fees, a guide, bottled water, round-trip hotel transport and an optional trip upgrade with lunch.

In this tour, we will visit the Quilotoa Lagoon which is in the Cotopaxi Province by the town of Pujili. It is a unique tourist attraction in South America and is considered one of the 15 most beautiful volcano crater lagoons in the world. We will also visit an indigenous market, an indigenous hut, and more... It is a full-day tour, with lunch included, highly recommended.

Experience unique Ecuadorian culture on a full-day market tour to Otavalo and Cotacachi Market. Comfortable transportation will pick you and other group members up from two convenient Quito locations, before taking you to the Mazapan handicrafts market in Calderon.  A stop at the Otalvo market is the perfect opportunity for taking photos.  You’ll enjoy a hearty lunch in Cotacachi before exploring the natural area surrounding it.

Explore Cuenca, one of Ecuador's most beautiful cities, on foot and by vehicle during this half-day guided tour. Highlights include colonial architecture such as wrought iron balconies and carved doors, museums, churches, parks, a flower market, and a world-renowned hat factory where so-called Panama hats are made. Hats can also be purchased and shipped directly to your home address. Finally, enjoy an overview of the city from the Mirador de Turi  viewpoint.

Experience the world renowned natural beauty of Cajas National Park on a 4-hour guided tour from Cuenca. Convenient round-trip transportation from your accommodation enables you to relax and enjoy the scenic drive through the mountains. Once at the UNESCO listed park, your guide takes care of navigation allowing you to fully appreciate the llamas, Polylepis trees, and impressive lakes that surround you.

After your guide collects you from your hotel, set off an adventure around the city.  First, ascend to Quito’s famous viewpoint in a cable car. From 4,100 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level, you’ll see the city in all its splendor. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the historic center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight and stop to visit major attractions like the Presidential Palace, La Ronda, and the Cathedral.

Explore Ecuador's Avenue of the Volcanoes that stretches from Quito to Cuenca during this 5-day excursion. Alongside a private tour guide, explore top Andean highlights including Quilotoa Lake, Cotopaxi, the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, and the Ingapirca ruins. Your package is inclusive of four nights' accommodation and most meals for a hassle-free experience.

Discover indigenous arts and local markets that you might otherwise miss during this cultural tour of Otavalo Market and Laguna Cuicocha. Well-suited for travelers staying in Quito, escape the city and journey into Ecuador's more rural hillsides as you follow your guide through a selection of the area's key cultural attractions.

Combine culture with nature on a private full-day city and cocoa farm tour from Guayaquil. Designed for travelers passing through Guayaquil, this excursion takes you to a rural cocoa farm where you’ll tour the plantation and make chocolate from scratch. Then, you’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of Guayaquil city, home to attractions such as Las Penas neighborhood, Malecon 2000, and Parque Historico. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

At Isla de los Pajaros (Bird Island), you don’t have to fly all the way to the Galapagos to enjoy Ecuador’s diverse birdlife. This private day trip from Guayaquil takes you from Puerto Morro through the mangrove forests of the coast to an island where numerous species of migratory birds make their home. Spot frigates, albatross, pink herons, cormorants, and boobies in their natural environments.

Discover Manabi’s fascinating history, natural wonders, and rich cultural heritage while in port in Manta on this full-day tour. Visit the town of Pile, where the world-famous Panama Hats are made; spot howler monkeys as you hike through the Pacoche Humid Forest; tuck into delicious Ecuadorian cuisine for lunch (not included); and learn all about the Ecuadorian Revolution at the Montecristi Museum.

This exclusive experience will introduce you to the Andes Mountain Range landscape and wildlife. Your profesional tour guide will pick you up at your hotel or airbnb to start the tour and go to Cotopaxi. The 90 minutes drive from Quito to Cotopaxi is full of beautifull mountains and cosy small villages. Arriving to Cotopaxi the local guide will be waiting with helmets, ponchos and horses. Then you will ride a horse for 2 hours around the grassland and the beautifull volcano. Then you will go to the Limpiopungo lagoon to hike around it. The lagoon is located in a flat highland where you will hike for 1 hour around it. That is an amazing place to see the local plants, flowers and birds. At the end you will come back to Quito or stop in a local restaurant to have a lunch. Dropoff at your hotel

Experience the volcanoes of Cotopaxi National Park from a different perspective on this private excursion from Quito. Once you arrive at the park, embark on a hike to the Padre Ribas Refuge, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the area. Then, take a horseback ride around Cotopaxi Volcano before enjoying a delicious lunch with even more views of the Andean landscape.

Don’t worry about matching the pace of a large tour group or waiting for other travelers during this private full-day excursion to Cotopaxi National Park. Instead, go at your own speed alongside a professional guide as you hike the Cotopaxi Volcano, marvel over the Limpiopungo Lagoon, and enjoy a traditional Ecuadorian lunch, ideal for travelers who want a personalized experience.

Escape the city and get back to nature during this memorable day of outdoor adventure. Follow your friendly guide to the hills of Cotopaxi National Park, where you'll look for local wildlife, revel in the biodiversity and encounter active volcanos up close. This hiking and biking experience is perfect for the active traveler.

Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city and it can be a challenge for first-time visitors to get their bearings. This 3-hour sightseeing tour offers the ideal introduction, visiting landmarks such as The Metropolitan Cathedral, Tower Morica, and Malecon 2000; exploring neighborhoods like Las Peñas and Santa Ana Hill; and strolling through Las Iguanas park. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Spend time at the UNESCO-listed Cajas National Park on a small-group tour from Cuenca. With a guide by your side, all you have to do is enjoy the adventure on a hike that offers spectacular views as well as a look at the Andean flora and fauna.

Escape to the serene Papallacta rejuvenating thermal springs, nestled between the Cayambe-Coca and Antisana National Parks, for a private day of relaxation and natural beauty. Departing from Quito with hotel pickup, enjoy breathtaking Andean scenery before soaking in the mineral-rich thermal pools, known for their therapeutic benefits like muscle relaxation, stress relief, and improved circulation. Surrounded by lush landscapes and volcanic history, this retreat is the perfect way to rejuvenate your body and mind.

Get up close with the exotic wildlife and beautiful scenery of the Amazon during this full-day trip to Puyo. Join your naturalist guide as you explore a rescue center for animals such as ocelots and monkeys, swim near a beautiful waterfall, paddle a canoe on the Puyo river, and visit with a local Quechua community. It's a great way to experience the Amazon jungle if you're short on time.

This private full-day tour from Cuenca, Ecuador was designed with hikers in mind. Explore trails through primary cloud forest, then continue to Cajas National Park to explore the high altitude paramo landscape and watershed within this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A well-earned lunch of trout from local fish farms is included.

Don’t worry about confusing and time-consuming public transit in Quito; instead, opt for a comprehensive full-day excursion which covers several city highlights and includes private transportation. Ideal for visitors with limited time in the city, visit the Intiñan Museum, tour the old town, and more in the company of a local guide, learning more than you could if exploring independently.