Before You Go
- Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
- Check whether a tourist visa is required.
- Keep digital copies of important documents.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance.
Quito
US Dollar (USD)
Spanish
Jun–Sep
ECT (UTC−5), Galápagos (UTC−6)
Welcome to Ecuador, a compact South American country offering an extraordinary range of landscapes, from Andean peaks to Amazon rainforest to the legendary Galápagos Islands. Quito, the capital, sits high in the Andes, its beautifully preserved colonial old town earning UNESCO World Heritage status. The Galápagos Islands, made famous by Charles Darwin, offer unparalleled wildlife encounters with giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies. Ecuador's Amazon basin teems with extraordinary biodiversity, accessible through jungle lodges and Indigenous-guided excursions. The Avenue of the Volcanoes showcases a dramatic string of snow-capped peaks, including the iconic Cotopaxi. Cuenca's charming colonial streets and nearby Incan ruins reveal layers of history amid the southern highlands. Ecuador's markets, particularly in Otavalo, showcase vibrant Indigenous textiles and crafts. Ecuador invites travelers to experience remarkable biodiversity and culture within a strikingly small area.
Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.
Discover some of Ecuador's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.
FUUN FUCTS to check
hen a live duck sewn into a leather sack was used in place of a ball. The game was so violent in its early form that it was repeatedly banned over the centuries before being tamed, regulated, and officially declared Argentina's national sport in 1953. Tucked deep in Patagonia is a surprising outpost of Welsh culture, thousands of miles from Wales itself. Beginning in the 1860s, Welsh settlers established a string of communities in the Chubut Valley, seeking a place to preserve their language and traditions out
