Best things to do in Ecuador

Ecuador Essentials

Ecuador's diverse landscape spans from the volcanic archipelago of the Galápagos to the high-altitude peaks of the Andes and the lush waterfalls of the Amazonian basin. This selection highlights the conservation history at the Charles Darwin Research Station, the neo-Gothic architecture of Riobamba, and the dramatic 80-meter cascades of the Pailón del Diablo. The list includes remote volcanic craters like Volcán Wolf and the colonial plazas of the mainland's historic centers.

David Adam Kess / CC BY-SA 3.0

Charles Darwin Research Station

The Charles Darwin Foundation was founded in 1959, under the auspices of UNESCO and the World Conservation Union.

Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0

Las Grietas

A series of three volcanic rock crevices on Santa Cruz Island filled with a mix of fresh and salt water. Accessible via a trail from Puerto Ayora, these deep pools are used for swimming and snorkeling between high rock walls.

Tortuga Bay

A white-sand beach on Santa Cruz Island reached by a 2.5-kilometer paved path. The site consists of Playa Brava, known for its strong currents, and Playa Mansa, a calm lagoon surrounded by mangroves and frequented by marine iguanas.

Sebastian Reategui / CC0

Pailón del diablo

An 80-meter waterfall on the Pastaza River near Baños. A series of steep stone stairs and a suspension bridge allow access to viewing platforms located directly beside the cascading water, also known as the Devil's Cauldron.

SantiagoGG / CC BY-SA 4.0

El Altar

El Altar or Capac Urcu is an extinct volcano on the western side of Sangay National Park in Ecuador, 170 km south of Quito, with a highest…

Volcán Wolf

Wolf Volcano, also known as Mount Whiton, is the highest peak in the Galápagos Islands. It is situated on Isabela Island and reaches 1,710 m.

Cerro Brujo

An eroding tuff cone on the north coast of San Cristóbal Island. The site features a white coral sand beach and a lagoon that serves as a habitat for blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and various coastal bird species.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús

A neo-Gothic Catholic church in Riobamba constructed from stone. The building is distinguished by its blue-tiled domes and an interior containing religious artwork and traditional stained glass.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Municipio Riobamba

The administrative headquarters of the Riobamba municipality, situated in the historic center. The building faces Parque Maldonado and features classical architectural elements typical of the city's early 20th-century civic construction.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Parque Maldonado

The central plaza of Riobamba, named after the 18th-century scientist Pedro Vicente Maldonado. It is the focal point of the historic district, surrounded by the city's cathedral and the municipal palace.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Museo de la Ciudad

Housed in a restored colonial-era building, this museum displays archaeological artifacts, religious art, and historical exhibits detailing the development of Riobamba and the surrounding Chimborazo province.