Ecuador

Key facts

• Region: South America — Sovereign states
• Capital: Quito
• Currency: US dollar (USD)
• Languages: Spanish (official); Quechua and Shuar are recognised
• Main airport: UIO — Mariscal Sucre International Airport, serving Quito
• Best time to visit: June to September for the Andes and the Galápagos; December to April is the drier, warmer window on the Pacific coast

Overview

Ecuador is small enough to cross in a day but packs in Andean volcanoes, Amazon rainforest, Pacific coast and the Galápagos Islands. Its name comes from the equator, which crosses the country just north of Quito. The Galápagos alone make it a destination unlike any other on the continent.

Airports

Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) serves Quito and is the main gateway to the Andes and Amazon. José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) serves Guayaquil, the country's largest city and the main gateway for Galápagos and coastal travel. Seymour Airport (GPS) on Baltra serves the Galápagos Islands. Mariscal Lamar International Airport (CUE) serves Cuenca, and Eloy Alfaro International Airport (MEC) serves Manta on the coast.

Main cities

Quito has one of the best-preserved colonial centres in the Americas and sits at about 2,850 m. Cuenca is a smaller colonial city and a common place to settle for a few weeks. Guayaquil is the commercial capital and the transport hub for the coast and Galápagos. Baños is the adventure-sports town below the Tungurahua volcano, and Otavalo is known for its indigenous textile market.

Places to go

The Galápagos Islands are the country's signature destination, visited by live-aboard boat or from island bases. In the Andes, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo are the two most popular high volcanoes, and the Quilotoa crater lake is a common side trip. The Avenue of the Volcanoes runs south from Quito past a chain of peaks. Baños offers the Pailón del Diablo waterfall and access to the Amazon via Puyo. Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and the Napo River are entry points to the rainforest, and Ingapirca is the country's main Inca ruin.

Getting there

Cheapest cached round-trip fare into Ecuador, refreshed every 6 hours:

Where to stay

Practical information

Frequently asked