Top Ecuador How to Get Around in 2026

Cover all of Quito’s important sights in one day with this full-day sightseeing tour. Choose between private or shared options and enjoy a ride on the cable car for unparalleled views of the Ecuadorian capital. See the equator line at the Middle of the World monument, visit the neogothic Quito Basilica, and tour the historic city center. Hotel pickup is included for your convenience.

Explore the island of Santa Cruz during your time in the Galapagos on this full-day excursion. Join your dedicated guide for a walk from Puerto Ayora to Tortuga Bay, where you can relax on the beach and visit the marine iguana sanctuary. Then, enjoy a delicious lunch before heading to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the geology, climate, natural history, and conservation of the Galapagos Islands.

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).

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.

Discover some of the most important sites in southern Ecuador in just one day on this combined archaeological, cultural, and artisanal tour. Visit the Ingapirca Archaeological Complex, considered the most important in Ecuador, and learn about the Cañari and Inca cultures in the company of a guide. Then, eat like a local and enjoy a delicious traditional lunch. Finish your day with a trip to Chordeleg and Gualaceo to visit jewelry and textile workshops run by local artisans.

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.

Turn your transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil into an adventure with this tour. The journey conveniently begins and ends at your accommodation, so there’s no need to haul your suitcases across either city. On your way to the coast, stop at the UNESCO listed Cajas National Park where you can enjoy an optional hike through the Polylepis Forest. Lunch is offered (if option is selected), followed by a visit to a family owned cocoa plantation.

Guayaquil, Gateway to the Galapagos, is more than just a layover city. See for yourself during this layover roundtrip sightseeing tour to/from the airport. This whirl around Ecuador's most important port city is completely flexible depending on the length of your layover. Stop by a local market to haggle over Ecuadorian handicrafts, pick up some handmade chocolate, get an overview of the city from downtown sights, or simply grab a bite to eat. Whatever you decide, it beats hanging out in an airport!

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.

Experience the biodiverse Mindo Cloud Forest to observe its many species on this full-day tour from Quito. Join a small group and visit a reserve to see more than 1,000 colorful butterflies fluttering around you. Then, walk through the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve to a waterfall, where you can take a refreshing dip. Your tour also includes access to a canopy zipline or another adventure sport.

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.

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 hustle and bustle of Quito and spend a day immersed in Ecuador's natural landscapes on this full-day tour to Quilotoa Lake. Join a small group and head to the turquoise waters of the volcanic crater. Hike down to the waters, where you have free time to explore the area. End your day with a visit to an artisan workshop in Tigua and the Toachi River Canyon.

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.

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 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.

See a different side of Quito and admire the capital when it’s gloriously illuminated by night on a private evening tour. You’ll explore after dark safely in a private car and get the inside scoop on local history and culture in just a few hours. This flexible tour lets you customize your itinerary for a personalized experience.

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.

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.

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.