Touristy Spots You Should Not Miss in Ecuador

Cuenca

The fairy-tale colonial center of Cuenca is a Unesco World Heritage Site that’s been charming visitors since the 16th century. And while the cobblestone streets, polychrome building fronts and remarkably well-preserved cathedral will have you snapping a photo on nearly every corner, it’s the town’s laid-back feel, friendly locals and bohemian spirit that will truly fill your heart and soul. Top that off with great nightlife, plenty of museums and galleries, and some of Ecuador’s best eateries, and there’s no doubt why this is the bar-none top highlight of southern Ecuador.

Beaches of the North Coast

Don’t associate Ecuador with sun and sand? Well think again, because the northwest of the country is packed with fishing villages, resort towns, surfer hang-outs and totally pristine areas of golden sand, so head down or up the coast and take your pick. One of the best places for a sunny getaway is Canoa, where you'll find a long picturesque beach backed by cliffs and some excellent surf. When the sun goes down, Canoa's lively eating and drinking spots make a perfect cap to a day spent frolicking among the waves.

Quilotoa Loop

Adventure begins at 3000m along the popular Quilotoa Loop, a rough travelers’ route that takes you through indigenous villages and painters’ colonies to a deep-blue crater lake and into the heart of Ecuador’s central highlands. The best thing about the loop is that you can custom-build your adventure to fit your needs. Want to volunteer in a sustainable agriculture project? No problem. Or would you like to hike and bike from village to village on forgotten trails? Yep, it's got that, too.

Riding the TelefériQo

Proving there’s more than one way to summit the Andean peaks, the TelefériQo whisks you up by aerial tram to breathtaking heights (4100m) over Quito. In a city of sublime views, Cruz Loma offers the finest of all – assuming you go on a clear day. Here, Quito spreads out across the Andean valley, with majestic peaks (including Cotopaxi) visible in the distance. At the top, you can extend the adventure by hiking (or taking a horseride) to the 4680m summit of Rucu Pichincha.

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