Top 10 Free Things to do in Ecuador, Ecuador

January 25, 2022 Enedina Augsburger

Coordinates: 2°00′S 77°30′W / 2.000°S 77.500°W / -2.000; -77.500
Restaurants in Ecuador

1. El Cajas National Park

Cuenca 010219 Ecuador +593 7-237-0127 http://www.ambiente.gob.ec/parque-nacional-cajas/
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,364 reviews

El Cajas National Park

Known for its more than 275 Andean lakes and many waterfalls, this national park is a popular destination for trout fishing, rugged hiking and camping.

Reviewed By Elias_Rovielo - Sao Caetano do Sul, Brazil

As this is my last Andean country, I seriously thought if this tour would be worthwhile, the time spent to see the Andes mountains, bush (park) and lakes. I'm glad I didn't hear my mind! The tour has incredible trails around a lagoon with birds and flowers, then we go further up the high mountains to see high altitude lagoons with the reflection of the sky in them, unique high altitude forests and a lot of history. 1) First pond and complete lap around it; 2) The highest top of the park; 3) Another lagoon with a walk in the only high altitude forest; 4) Restaurant with lunch included; This shared tour was contracted with the great travel agency, Deep Ecuador Travel (Cuenca) with the fantastic guide Andrés León.

2. Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco

Cuenca 477 y Sucre, Quito 170150 Ecuador https://www.franciscanos.ec/iglesia-y-convento-de-san-francisco-quito/
Excellent
62%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,677 reviews

Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco

Established in 1536 by Franciscan monks, this magnificent architectural masterpiece features a museum in its convent with art from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Reviewed By georgesB4777WE - Miami Beach, United States

This is the oldest church in Quito (from the 16th century) and one of the most beautiful. Though one can argue that the Jesuit one is more “uber” than this church, it, nevertheless is “uber-magnificent” also. It is relatively plain from the outside, but its baroque inside explodes and takes your breath away. The main altar and the side altars are beautifully gilded and carved. Its decorated ceilings remind me of a Moorish design, probably coming from Spain. Every inch of the interior is covered with gilt or art. A site that cannot be missed. The admission to the church is free and photos during services are prohibited. The convent and museum next door however, charges a $4 admission fee and has a separate entrance.

3. El Panecillo

Costado del Centro Historico, Quito 170150 Ecuador +593 96 890 2961 http://www.quito.com.ec/que-visitar/centro-historico/el-panecillo
Excellent
46%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,581 reviews

El Panecillo

Resembling a type of small bread (panecillo), this hill makes an excellent observation point over Quito and features La Virgen del Panecillo, a majestic sculpture that can be seen from any location in the city.

Reviewed By georgesB4777WE - Miami Beach, United States

This is a hill which overlooks Quito. It is topped with a huge statue of The Virgin Mary and can be seen from the city even at night, when the statue is bathed in white light. The hill (shaped like a loaf of bread) is at Quito’s southern end (close to Old Town) and can be reached by either a city bus or via a cheap Uber ride. There is a restaurant (Pimms) on the top and there is no admission fee. The views of the city from the top are great and, in my opinion, superior to the ones from TeleferiQo. There is a $2 admission should you want to climb the stairs inside the silver aluminum statue of the Virgin. BTW, the City hop-on bus generally makes an extended stop here and you can take some wonderful pictures. A must-see!!

4. Quito Old Town

Quito Ecuador 593-2-2528-700-1707 http://www.quito.com.ec
Excellent
64%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,785 reviews

Quito Old Town

This historic district was the first city named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is noted for its narrow streets, Spanish colonial architecture and historic attractions.

Reviewed By LidiaK54 - Toronto, Canada

Quito Old Town is exceptionnaly beautiful with ist numerous churches, narrow streets, picturesque squares, amazing views. It's an incredible pleasure discovering it by foot.

5. Cerro Santa Ana

Guayaquil Ecuador +593 4-230-1998 http://www.guayaquilesmidestino.com/es/historia-arte-y-cultura/cerro-santa-ana
Excellent
53%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,008 reviews

Cerro Santa Ana

Like the ugly duckling to swan tale, this once poor area was transformed into a prime tourist attraction – a 465-foot stairway flanked by colorful houses, eateries, gift shops and galleries.

Reviewed By ChristinaS2195 - Brooklyn, United States

Lovely stroll ... or hike ... depending on how you feel about the stairs. Everything there was alive with color and sound. You can easily find a $0.30 bottle of water and a $0.40 ice cream to cool you off!

6. Parque Historico Guayaquil

Avenida Central y avenida Rio Esmeraldas Samborondon, Guayaquil 090150 Ecuador +593 4-283-2958 [email protected] http://www.guayaquilesmidestino.com/es/naturaleza/afuera-de-guayaquil/parque-historico
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,664 reviews

Parque Historico Guayaquil

It includes 8 hectares divided in three zones: Wild Life, Traditions and Urban - architectural, where the nature, rural and urban aspects are brought together in one concept: encouraging the environment preservation, rescue and promotion of our customs.

Reviewed By erikastanton2012 - San Diego, United States

Parque Histórico was a great place to visit, beautiful combination of history and nature, the staff and food was wonderful, weekends provide shows and demonstrations of culture, we saw cacao, coffee and banana trees, beautiful flowers and animals (rescue animals ) It is a small but it is worth it !

7. Malecon 2000

Sargento Vargas #116 y Av. Olmedo, Guayaquil 090150 Ecuador +593 99 700 0691 http://www.malecon2000.com/
Excellent
50%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,627 reviews

Malecon 2000

Stretching for several miles along the Rio Guayas, this lively boardwalk is well-patrolled day and night and features small food stands, other eateries and a blend of historic and modern buildings.

Reviewed By iwastheretraveling - Southeast Romania, Romania

Malecon Rio Guayas is the promenade area on the banks of the Guayas River. It is 10 minutes away from Iguana Park and is considered an important part of the city’s identity. Here you can find almost everything you expect from a tourist area: a mall, an amusement park, museums, souvenir shops, even green areas where you can feed birds.

8. Las Grietas

Trail From West of Finch Bay Eco Hotel, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
Excellent
56%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,453 reviews

Las Grietas

Reviewed By F336MVjohnd

From Puerto Ayora, take an 80-cent water taxi to Finch Bay, and then a walk past the German beach to get to this strikingly beautiful volcanic fissure that has connected out to the ocean... so it's also a great place for a swim. The water is cold... so you won't regret a wet suit. And do wear the snorkel mask as the view underwater is remarkable, and there are some interesting fish to see as well. The thing to be careful of here is that there are several pools separated by some very sharp and VERY slippery rocks. You CAN cross over them, but my wife and I each got several scrapes and bruises in the process. Also, there is no "life guard on duty". There is a guide who you sign in with at the top of the fissure... but if you need help it will be 10-15 minutes away, so do be careful if you venture past the first pool.

9. Las Penas

Guayaquil Ecuador +593 99 435 2873 http://www.guayaquilesmidestino.com
Excellent
54%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,949 reviews

Las Penas

Reviewed By TurfDocNC - Raleigh, United States

While the climb up the 444 steps is a challenge, even for the most agile, it is worth every bit of time to see this quaint neighborhood, the church at the top, and climb up the lighthouse for fantastic views out over the city and river.

10. Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay

South-West of the town of Puerto Ayora, 200350 Ecuador
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,398 reviews

Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay

Reviewed By carlosvelascoteran

We went to Tortuga Bay on 2/21/2020. Day was sunny, warm. We walked from Puerto Ayora to Tortuga Bay, which by itself is a nice experience, looking at trees, iguanas and birds. We then got to the area of Tortuga Bay, which by itself has 3 separate segments, Playa Brava, Playa Mansa, and a small lagoon formed by a reef protecting it from the Playa Brava. The experience of swimming around iguanas and small "tintoreras" (sharks) was unbelievable. Water was refreshing. Birds were majestic. We have visited many places in the world, this was one of the best we have seen, highlighted by the successful way in which nature has been protected by the Ecuadorian government.

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