Ecuador attractions

Atop a hill looking out over the city, Guayasamín Museum is the former residence of Oswaldo Guayasamín, one of the most important artists in all of South America. The gorgeous Spanish-style villa features some of his most important works alongside his vast private collection of pre-Colombian artifacts and religious artworks. Sprinkled throughout are paintings and sculptures of his contemporaries.

One of Santa Cruz’s most peaceful and tranquil settings, El Garrapatero Beach is a tropical paradise, stretching for almost 2 miles (3 kilometers). Surrounded by beautiful mangrove trees, the beach is home to an array of birds, most notably, flamingos and mockingbirds. You may also find marine iguanas, shrimp, Galapagos penguins, and oystercatchers among the white sands and crystalline blue water.

A long, rocky spine running south of Quito, the Avenue of the Volcanoes is a 124-mile (200-kilometer) corridor between two parallel mountain ranges. German explorer Alexander von Humboldt gave the byway its name in the 18th century, after observing that eight of Ecuador’s 10 highest points are found here, including some of the world’s tallest snow-capped mountains and active volcanoes.

When approaching the moat entrance to Château de Chenonceau, it may seem at first like it is not that big. But the surprise is in what's behind it – a massive gallery that spans the Cher River. In fact, a bird's-eye view would confirm that the entire castle sits squarely in the river! This 16th-century castle was built on the foundation of an existing water mill and has a history of its chatelaines making their own mark on its interior, exterior and grounds – the largest contribution coming from Catherine de' Medici, who was also responsible for showing the first fireworks in France. After being used as a hospital during World War I and part of Nazi-occupied France in World War II (and thus bombed), today the castle is beautifully restored and receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. These visitors enjoy not only a full tour of the interior, including the gallery over the river, but also the extensive gardens and a donkey park. At night during the summer months there is also a Night Walk through the beautifully lit grounds–a must for a romantic night out.

Situated at the southern edge of Quito’s Old Town, Santo Domingo Plaza (Plaza de Santo Domingo) sits beneath the shadow of the 17th-century domed Iglesia de Santo Domingo. A statue of Ecuadorean hero Antonio José de Sucre stands in the middle of the plaza, pointing toward the spot where the battle for independence was won in 1822.

Perched on the slopes of a volcano within the cloud forests of Napo, the YanaYacu Biological Station is a non-profit research facility focused on local conservation projects, offering visitors the chance to have an active role in researching native wildlife, to volunteer for activities such as planting trees or building hiking trails or simply enjoy the flora and fauna being studied.

Formerly the San Juan de Dios Hospital, Quito City Museum (Museo de la Ciudad) has called this UNESCO-recognized 16th-century building at the heart of Quito’s historic center home for over two decades. Now, it charts both the history of the city and the hospital through dioramas, artefacts, and interactive exhibits that will delight history and architecture buffs alike.

A visit to Casa del Alabado Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, housed in a beautifully preserved colonial building, is a must for history and anthropology fans. Through permanent and temporary exhibits featuring sculpture, artifacts, and more, learn about Ecuador’s indigenous cultures and peoples before enjoying lunch at the on-site café.

Cerro Brujo is a magnificent white coral sand beach along the northern coast of San Cristóbal. One of the first landing spots of Charles Darwin, “Witch Hill” is home to sea lions, turtles, marine iguanas, brown pelicans, crabs, and rays. Coastal and migratory birds such as blue-footed boobies, egrets, and great blue herons take refuge in the adjacent lagoon.

Located in Sangay National Park, in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes, El Altar Mountain is an extinct volcano whose cone collapsed centuries ago, leading to the formation of an altar-shaped ridge. Today nine peaks of over 16,400 feet (5,000 meters) form a central basin containing a green glacier crater lake known as Laguna Amarilla or Yellow Lagoon.

A brief hike through Santa Cruz’s majestic cactus forest leads you to The Cracks (Las Grietas), a popular Galapagos Islands swimming destination for locals that often gets overlooked. The aptly named volcanic crevices are known for their crystalline brackish waters, perfect for laidback aquatic exploration.

Covering three provinces of Ecuador, Sangay National Park is home to three volcanoes, two of which are still active, and a range of ecosystems including glaciers, tropical rainforests, cloud forest, wetlands, grasslands, and over 320 lakes, where many protected indigenous species live. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park contains important pre-Inca archeological traces.

A short stroll from Plaza Grande, the Museum of Colonial Art (Museo de Arte Colonial) sits within a restored 17th-century mansion. The fine collection of 16th- to 18th-century paintings, sculpture, and furniture features works by renowned Quito School artists Miguel de Santiago, Manuel Chili, and Bernardo de Legarda.

Carved into the heart of the Andes Mountains and departing from the village of Alausi, Ecuador’s historic Devil’s Nose Railroad (Nariz del Diablo) showcases both nature's grandeur and human engineering brilliance. While the train is currently closed, you can still experience the area’s outstanding scenery and vibrant culture.

One of the Gateway to the Galapagos’ prettiest spots, Guayaquil Historical Park (Parque Histórico) combines natural and cultural attractions to create a charming recreation space. It’s home to pastel-colored architecture and animals that reflect the region’s biodiversity—see flamingos, monkeys, tapirs, and even crabs in the mangroves.

Reach Mindo’s Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve and numerous waterfalls with ease, thanks to a thrilling, open-air cable car ride above the rain forest. Avoid having to hike all the way across the Nambillo River, and take in panoramic views while enjoying an experience available in few parts of the world.

Embark on a visual journey at Mirador de Turi, where Cuenca's colonial architecture unfolds against a majestic Andean backdrop. With easy accessibility and a welcoming atmosphere, this elevated sanctuary promises a commanding perspective, making it a must-visit destination if you want to admire Cuenca from above.

Guayaquil’s sleek, modern Malecon 2000 is a waterfront walkway and entertainment complex that’s helped make the Ecuadorian city more than just the gateway to Galapagos. Along this riverfront boulevard, you’ll find everything from amusement rides, a cinema, and an inflatable water park to a museum, as well as plenty of bars, cafés, and restaurants serving international and Ecuadorian delights.

Surrounded by lakes, mountains, and volcanoes, the village of San Pablo del Lago might be small, but its scenery really makes an impression. It’s the ideal place for outdoor adventurers and a great base for mountain biking, hiking, watersports on San Pablo Lake, and visiting the nearby Otavalo Market, hailed as one of the best in Latin America.

Despite what its name suggests—alemanes means Germans in Spanish—you won’t find any currywurst or lederhosen on this pristine stretch of sand. Playa de los Alemanes serves up Galapagos’ signature white sand, turquoise waters, and a wealth of marine life. Plus, the cove-like shape of the beach means its waters are generally much calmer than other Santa Cruz beaches.

Each island within the Galapagos Islands has its own distinct flora, fauna, and wildlife; South Plaza Island is best known for its marine iguanas, land iguanas, a range of birds that nest on the sea cliffs, a sea lion colony, and a cactus forest. This crescent-shaped island is open to the public, while nearby islands—including North Plaza Island—are for research purposes only and closed to visitors.

In the south of Santa Cruz Island, Laguna las Ninfas is a peaceful body of water home to sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays. It’s surrounded by mangroves and encircled by a wooden boardwalk that lets you wander around its perimeter in search of Galapagos wildlife.

Taking its name (which translates to Bride’s Cloak Waterfall) from the bright whiteness of its waters, Cascada Manto de la Novia is one of Baños’ many natural highlights. The 131-foot (40-meter) cascade is surrounded by the lush flora that this part of Ecuador is famous for, which makes for a dramatic backdrop.

Plaza de los Ponchos is the epicenter of Otavalo Market, one of Latin America’s most famous handicraft markets. Even if you don’t have much room in your suitcase for souvenirs, it’s worth coming here to admire the rainbow-colored textiles and tapestries that stalls are stacked high with. The market offers insight into the rich indigenous cultures of Ecuador’s northern highlands.

The Pastaza River rushes through Ecuador’s adventure capital of Baños de Agua Santa and is one of the best places to go white-water rafting in Latin America. It’s a tributary of the Amazon Basin surrounded by lush jungles and mountainous landscapes, which create the perfect combination of exhilaration and natural beauty.

Founded in 1653 on the site where Saint Mariana of Jesus lived and died, Carmen Alto Covent is one of the few Carmelite convents in the world open to visitors. Home to 20 nuns, Monasterio de Carmen has become an important pilgrimage place to honor the Ecuadorian saint and to view the religious art in the museum housed in the cloister.

Part museum, part archeological park, the Museo Pumapungo (Museo y Parque Arqueológico Pumapungo) holds the key to Cuenca’s diverse history. Dive into Ecuador’s rich cultural heritage at the comprehensive, three-floor ethnography museum, packed with artifacts. Afterwards, wander around the vast ruins of the ancient Inca city of Tumebamba, which include a palace, aqueduct, and gardens.

In Baños, a mountain town known for its exhilarating range of outdoor adventures, you can add to the fun at this amusement park. Drive around a go-kart track, shoot water at your friends and family from motorized boats in a lake, and enjoy the surrounding landscape.

Perched at one of the Ecuadorian town’s highest points, Mirador Las Antenas in Baños offers panoramic views of the lush Andean Highlands surrounding it. The area is also home to the famous Manos de Dios (Hands of God) Bridge—a bridge featuring two enormous hands as supports—a favorite spot for fun photos with fantastic views.

On the outskirts of Ecuador’s adventure capital of Baños, AnimalPark is a family-friendly attraction home to both domestic animals and African lions. Hands-on activities here range from bottle-feeding calves and collecting freshly laid eggs to admiring the region’s lush landscapes from viewpoints and watching live shows featuring horseback riding.