Ecuador holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Ecuador holiday in South America
Ecuador is the most diverse country on Earth in a small space: From the Galápagos Islands with their unique wildlife to the colonial old town of Quito (UNESCO) and snow-capped volcanoes to the Amazon rainforest – everything is reachable within a few flight hours. The country on the equator offers adventure, nature, and indigenous cultures at South American prices.
Capital
Quito
Language
Spanish
Currency
US-Dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-5
Flight time from DE
approx. 13–15 hours (with layover)
Entry requirements
Passport (visa-free for 90 days)
Deals for Ecuador:
Which hotels in Ecuador are recommended?
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Ecuador — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
What are the highlights of Ecuador?
The best-known highlights of Ecuador include Galápagos Islands, Quito Old Town, Cotopaxi, Amazon Rainforest, Otavalo Market.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Galápagos Islands
Darwin's natural laboratory: Giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and sea lions up close.
Quito Old Town
The best-preserved colonial city in Latin America (UNESCO) at 2,850m – churches, squares, and volcanic panorama.
Cotopaxi
The perfectly shaped active volcano (5,897m) – hikes to the refuge and mountain biking at its base.
Amazon Rainforest
Lodges in Yasuní National Park: Monkeys, parrots, piranhas, and indigenous communities in primary forest.
Otavalo Market
South America's largest indigenous market: Colorful textiles, ponchos, and handicrafts of the Quechua people.
Hotels in Ecuador
Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.
* You will be redirected to Expedia.de. Their terms of use apply.
Reise-SIM für Ecuador
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Ecuador. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Ecuador?
The best time to visit Ecuador is June–September (Sierra/Coast) or December–May (Galápagos). In summer: 20–28°C. In winter: 18–25°C.
Recommended travel time
June–September (Sierra/Coast) or December–May (Galápagos)
Summer
20–28°C
Winter
18–25°C
How much does a holiday in Ecuador cost?
A holiday in Ecuador costs roughly 25–45€ per person per day (excluding flights) on a budget, 45–100€ mid-range and 100–300€ for luxury travel.
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
25–45€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
45–100€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
100–300€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
How long is the flight from Germany to Ecuador?
From Germany you reach Ecuador in approx. 13–15 hours (with layover).
What travel tips are there for Ecuador?
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Book Galápagos early – visitor numbers are strictly limited
Quito is at 2,850m – take it slow on the first day due to altitude sickness
Dollar country: No exchange problems, but bring small bills
Book Cotopaxi tour in clear weather – the volcanoes are cloud-free in the morning
Cuy (guinea pig) is a delicacy – brave travelers should try it
What do people eat in Ecuador?
Typical dishes in Ecuador are Ceviche, Llapingachos, Encebollado, Cuy, Locro de Papa, Bolón de Verde.
These dishes you must try!
Which regions and places in Ecuador are worth visiting?
7 regions, cities and highlights in Ecuador
Cities
Baños (Ecuador)
Baños de Agua Santa is Ecuador's adventure capital — a charming town at the foot of the active volcano Tungurahua, surrounded by waterfalls and hot springs. Despite its name …
Cuenca (Ecuador)
Cuenca is Ecuador's most beautiful colonial city and a UNESCO World Heritage site — an architectural jewel at 2,550 meters in the Andes. The country's third-largest city enchants …
Guayaquil
Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador and the economic center of the country, located on the west bank of the Rio Guayas near the Pacific coast. With around 2.7 million …
Quito
Quito, Ecuador's capital, was the first city ever to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site — even before Venice and Paris. Located at 2,850 meters in an Andean valley, …
Complete guide for Ecuador
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
Open guideReady for Ecuador?
Plan your Ecuador holiday now with our free tools.
How do I plan a holiday in Ecuador?
Ecuador is one of the most popular travel destinations in South America, offering Nature, Adventure, Animals and much more. The best time to visit Ecuador is June–September (Sierra/Coast) or December–May (Galápagos), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 25–45€ (Budget) to 100–300€ (Luxury), Ecuador is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Quito, Ecuador can be excellently explored. The official language is Spanish, and the currency is US-Dollar (USD). From Germany, you can reach Ecuador in approx. 13–15 hours (with layover). Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Ceviche, Llapingachos, Encebollado, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Ecuador has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Ecuador holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Ecuador is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
Suitable holiday types for Ecuador:
More travel destinations in South America:
All countries in South America