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)
Top hotels & accommodations in Ecuador
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Ecuador — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Top 5 highlights in Ecuador
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
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
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
Best time to visit Ecuador
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?
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
5 travel tips 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
Food & drink in Ecuador
These dishes you must try!
Discover Ecuador
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 'Bañoss', Baños is now primarily known for adrenaline activities: the famous 'Swing at the End of the World', canyoning, rafting, and mountain biking along the Ruta de las Cascadas. The hot thermal springs offer the perfect relaxation afterward.
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 with its cobblestone streets, magnificent churches, and a vibrant art scene. The eternal spring climate, low crime rate, and low cost of living have also made Cuenca popular among expatriates.
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 inhabitants, Guayaquil is livelier, more tropical, and busier than the capital Quito — and the main gateway to the Galapagos Islands. The Malecon 2000 is a 2.5 km long waterfront promenade along the Rio Guayas, symbolizing Guayaquil's urban renewal: gardens, museums, playgrounds, restaurants, and an IMAX cinema stretch along the river. At the southern end, a lighthouse stands on Cerro Santa Ana, a colorfully restored hill neighborhood with 444 numbered steps to the summit. Las Penas, the oldest district of Guayaquil at the foot of Cerro Santa Ana, delights with colorful colonial houses, art galleries, and small bars. The climb up the 444 steps is rewarded with a panoramic view of the entire city and the river. Parque Seminario (Iguana Park) in the city center is a surprising natural spectacle: dozens of free-roaming land iguanas bask among walkers and can be photographed up close. The neo-Gothic cathedral and the elegant town hall frame the square. Daily flights to the Galapagos Islands (about 1.5 hours) depart from Guayaquil. The city also provides access to the Cocoa Route: Ecuador is home to the finest cocoa in the world (Cacao Nacional), and plantations can be visited as a day trip.
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, surrounded by volcanoes, the old town is a baroque dream with gilded churches, colonial squares, and architecture that blends the heritage of the Spanish Conquista and the indigenous Quechua culture. The Basilica del Voto Nacional offers a stunning view of the city from the bell tower, overlooking the snow-capped Cotopaxi. At the equator monument Mitad del Mundo, you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. The Mariscal area pulses with backpacker bars and international restaurants. Tours to Cotopaxi, the Amazon rainforest, the Avenue of the Volcanoes, and the Galápagos Islands start from Quito.
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.
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