Ecuador Overview

From trail-weary trekkers to lifelong Quiteños, everyone agrees that this corner of South America is a land of extremes. Ecuador is rich with culture, whirls under head-spinning political fluctuations, and dazzles the imagination with some of the world’s most astounding geographical diversity. To the east, chilly Andean slopes plummet into the humid Amazon Basin, while in the west snow-crowned peaks fall to some of the most pristine beach on earth. Indeed, this is a region brimming with superlatives: modern-day Quito was once the northern capital of one of the wealthiest empires in history; the Galápagos are home to the world’s largest tortoise population; Volcán Cayambe is the closest point on Earth to the stars—yes, even closer than Everest. Offering myriad opportunities for the adventurous of heart and the inquisitive of mind—from beach-bumming to jungle-tripping, museum-hopping to llama-spotting—Ecuador has many secrets to share.

Of course, a look at the foreign media paints Ecuador as even more extreme than it is. If CNN told the story of Ecuador, almost every day in recent years would appear a nausea-inducing roller coaster, with drug wars spilling over the Colombian border, oil-companies destroying acres of land once teeming with life, and indigenous communities striking out against their poor standards of living. In reality, beyond major city centers, life progresses as usual: calmly, coolly, slowly. Ecuador is a place where everything gets done in its own time—if not today, then mañana, sin falta.

When To Go

Though its name may imply hot and humid, Ecuador spans three disparate climates (coast, Sierra, and jungle) that keep things interesting. Nonetheless, two main seasons divide the Ecuadorian year: the dry ...more

By clicking submit you agree to the terms of the Let’s Go Privacy Policy

For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.