Overview of Regions

Ecuador can be divided into four major travel regions, each with a completely unique character:

Quito & Highlands (Sierra)

For whom: Cultural travelers, mountaineers, market lovers
The Andean highlands stretch as a 60 km wide band from north to south, flanked by two volcanic chains. Here lies the capital Quito with its UNESCO old town at 2,850 m, the mighty Cotopaxi, the colorful market of Otavalo, and the colonial Cuenca. The climate is mild and spring-like — year-round between 10 and 22°C.

Galápagos Islands

For whom: Nature lovers, divers, photographers
The volcanic archipelago in the Pacific, 1,000 km off the coast, is a living natural laboratory. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and flightless cormorants live here without natural fear. Accessible by cruise or island hopping — an experience that exists only once in the world.

Amazon Rainforest (Oriente)

For whom: Adventurers, wildlife watchers, nature enthusiasts
Ecuador's eastern region covers almost half of the country and is home to one of the most biodiverse rainforests on earth. Reachable from the highlands in a few hours, jungle lodges offer caiman spotting, parrot clay licks, piranha fishing, and encounters with indigenous communities.

Pacific Coast (Costa)

For whom: Surfers, beach lovers, gourmets
From Esmeraldas in the north to Guayaquil in the south, the tropical coast stretches with endless beaches, fishing villages, and the famous surfer town Montañita. From June to September, humpback whales pass by — Puerto López is the hotspot for whale watching. Guayaquil, the largest city in the country, surprises with a dynamic waterfront.