Where to Explore in Ecuador

Suspended bridges, countless waterfalls, relaxing hot springs, looming volcanoes and mountains, trails to hike, and more! Ecuador is the place to visit in South America!

The answer to many questions: YESSSS Ecuador is safe for tourists to visit!

Never once did we feel unsafe or uncomfortable. The Ecuadorian locals and culture is warming and inviting. They appreciate tourists because it brings money into their economy.

Did you know that South America is budget friendly to Americans? Switch up the annual trip to Florida and check out Ecuador! Our round trip flight was only around $400. Read more about Ecuador and how you can afford to go!

Middle of the World

There is a ton of activities at the Middle of the World - Mital Del Mundo! The Middle of the World is most known for the monument dedicated to the equator.

• Walk through the Ancestral Housing area to learn about the history of a few local cultural groups.

• Climb the Equatorial Monument to get a full view of the surrounding area and volcanoes in the distance!

• Pop into some of the shops - visit the Beer Museum and the Cocoa Square.

• Visit the cultural pavilions to learn scientific equator facts - you can also find out how eggs can balance upright at this location! Click here to read more

Located: San Antonio, Quito, Ecuador

Termas Papallacta

• Full body massages, wine body wraps, several different hot spring baths to jump into while surrounded by stunning volcanoes?? It doesn't get much better!

• It was under $30 to get into the hot springs area which gives you access to the spa grounds. If you want to get massages or specialty treatments like a wine or mud wrap, then you can pay extra! I would highly recommend getting a massage. I got my first massage at Papallacta and I was over the moon happy afterwards!

• The hot springs are warmed by the volcano...pretty cool right???

Located: Baeza, Papallacta, Ecuador - Right outside of Banos

Banos

• Banos (in Spanish Banos means in which to bathe) is known for having multiple jaw dropping waterfalls to check out and hotsprings to bathe in.

• For tourists, Banos is a hotspot for their hot springs and adventurous activities such as white water rafting and hiking. For Ecuadorian locals, Banos is one of the most industrialized areas to go shopping at on the weekends. Locals come from all around the mountains to go shopping for food and other necessities on the weekend. Banos also has a very popular Sanctuary that has locals lined along the street just to attend.

• Hike to the viewpoints at Pailon Del Diablo to see one of the most remarkable waterfalls I have ever seen. Bring a water and a raincoat with you on this hike! Did I mention it was only $2????

Located: Banos, Ecuador

Swing at the End of the World

• Banos is also known for having the ginormous treehouse that hangs the Swing at the End of the World. It only costs $1 to swing on this. The guys working jump SOOO high just to see how excited you get flying through the air. Do it if you dare...do it BECAUSE it scares you!

Located: Casa del Arbol, Banos, Ecuador

Pailon Del Diablo Tibetan & Suspension Bridge

• Walk on the suspension bridge ORRR go on the tibetan bridge if you are feeling up to it! Only $15 to walk across a gorge strapped into a harness!

Located: Banos de Santa Agua, Ecuador

Cascada el Manto de la Novia

• Ride a on a cable car that take you straight overtop of the gorge and a waterfall! There are a handful of different spots near Banos that you can ride a cable car at. Each one takes you on a quick and swift ride through the popular Ecuadorian waterfall destinations.

• If you are in love with chasing waterfalls and want to experience them all, do it! We only paid $2 a person to ride it!

Located: Banos de Sante Agua, Ecuador

The Avenue of the Volcanoes

• Take the Avenue of the Volcanos scenic route on your way to Banos! Depending on the weather, you can see up to eight snow-capped volcanoes. There are spots along the road for you to hop out safely and get some pictures.

• The Avenue of the Volcanoes completely free...obviously unless you paid for a local tour guide to drive you, paid for an uber, or rented a car yourself.

• If you want to read more about the Avenue of the Volcanos, read here! This article will help you plan your trip to see all of the volcanoes along the road.

Ecuadorian Food!!!!!

One of my favorite parts about traveling to new countries is getting to try new foods. I highly suggest eating local dishes. I always find it unique and intriguing how different countries use natural spices and grown goods to prepare for customers! Things I noticed in Ecuador:

• Pesto is used most of the time to season meat dishes! BBQ or Steak sauce isn't a "norm" there. The meat is seasoned using naturally grown spices.

• Salad doesn't come with dressing! I am usually the type of person that lovesssss to douse my salad in dressing, but the freshness of the vegetables and fruits on the salad made it taste perfect without the dressing. When we asked the first night, they made a homemade pesto & olive oil mix.

• The fruit is MUCH fresher in Ecuador than it is in the United States. The fruits served with breakfast were picked literally within walking distance.

• The main dishes consist of a type of meat, a potato or rice side, salad, and fresh vegetables/fruits.

• You can buy 50-60 mandarins on the side of the road for only $5! Along with mandarins, the city streets are lined with vendors selling their produce or handmade items. A popular favorite is the fruit stands and the shops with homemade taffy! Lastly, another Ecuadorian favorite is the fruit popsicles sold literally on the side of the road. We bought our popsicles in line paying for a car toll (see last picture below)!

• Fast food restaurants, such as McDonald's, are considered a place to go and eat on special occasions. Fast food is still expensive for the Ecuadorian locals to afford.

How to Get Around Ecuador

There are local taxis and tour guides all throughout Ecuador, and even Ubers in parts of the country. Some suggestions:

• If you go the route of taking a local taxi: check on your Uber app (if you have service). The taxi company may charge a bit higher, but they will match the cost of an Uber.

• If you go the route of wanting to use Ubers: keep in mind that Ubers aren't accessible in every city like in the United States. Service and access to internet can also be tricky. If you plan to take an Uber, make sure you have talked to your phone carrier for International cellular deals/packages.

• I would 1003752672% recommend reaching out to the most AMAZING tour guide below:

  • Angel Rea Driverguide - you can find him on Trip Advisor

  • The reason why I would LOVE it if you went with a local tour guide, is because that is his main source of income for his family of 5 and he absolutely enjoys showing people around his beautiful country.

  • Taking a local tour guide can save you a lot of money because the individuals trips taken by Taxi or Uber can REALLY add up.

  • Local tour guides know all of the hot spots and the MUST SEES in Ecuador. Angel (pronounced Anhel) has a lot of connections with the tourist attractions and can quickly help you communicate through Spanish with the locals.

  • He even taught us some phrases in Spanish to help us out with communication!

  • Angel stopped every single time we wanted photo opportunity. That type of service is extremely hard to get when taking taxis or Ubers.

Where to Stay in Ecuador:

Where you will sleep at is totally dependant on your plans for the trip. There are plenty of hotels and local AirBnbs that you can rent out by the night - just like in the United States.

• We stayed at the Holiday Inn - Quito Airport. You may be thinking: why did they travel all the way to Ecuador and stay at a Holiday Inn??? Here is why:

  • The global pandemic instilled the requirement of having a negative PCR Covid test prior to flying back to the United States. The airport gives roughly $40 Covid tests and will get the results before you depart. The Holiday Inn offers free shuttles to and from the airport. We used the hotel shuttle to get us to the airport and back to the hotel for free!

  • Keep in mind that your health insurance may not be accepted in foreign countries. I work at a healthcare software company and have great medical and health insurance...but its not accepted here! I still had to pay for the $40 covid test.

  • The hotel was under $90 a night for the 3 of us to stay.

  • The hotel was only 6 months old at the time we visited. The staff was extremely friendly and accomodating! They even let us have a late checkout free of charge.

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I hope you enjoyed reading about Ecuador and some of the fun activities the country has to offer!

Keep in mind that there are SEVERAL other spots to visit if you are in Ecuador long enough. Beaches, trails to hike, white water rafting, plenty of spas or hot springs to soak in, museums and chapels to fall in love with, and more!

Always do your research before going to another country. Couple things we noticed in Ecuador:

• Wearing a mask is a MUST in Ecuador. The culture finds it strange or even disrespectful to others if you are not wearing a mask.

• Average income is between $500-$1000 a month. Be cautious with your money and how you flaunt it. Never once did I feel like I was going to get robbed or pick-pocketed, but keep in mind that American citizens are financially better off than a majority of individuals in Ecuador. Be respectful.

• Everyone in Ecuador speaks Spanish. Only some speak English, but you are in good hands with the folks that know English as they will help you if you ask. I brought a Spanish to English book with me to help!

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thanks for reading! ~xoxo, becs~