City: Ecuador
Top Things to do in Ecuador
Countries
What to do and see in Ecuador, Ecuador: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
Coordinates: 2°00′S 77°30′W / 2.000°S 77.500°W / -2.000; -77.500
Restaurants in Ecuador
1. Cascada el Pailon (del Diablo)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,122 reviews
Follow the signs to Cascada el Pailon. Look for the colorful Hummingbird and colorful flags. Cascada el Pailón del Diablo is a spectacular natural wonder which lies on the edge of the cloud forest. At an impressive 265 feet, the thunderous waterfall emits high columns of swirling mist and showcases the untouched beauty of Ecuador. Awe-inspiring and breath-taking, the waterfall is named as one of the biggest single-drop waterfalls in Ecuador. However, there is more than just a waterfall! Brave the exciting & uniquely inclined suspension bridges, walk the beautiful riverside, explore the impressive flora and fauna and enjoy incredible up-close balconies! Only from Cascada el Pailon can the falls be seen up close from top to bottom. Come join us for our magical evening hours where nature and art unite in a beautiful light show! This colorful and interactive self-guided pathway will take you on a journey to see the waterfall in color.
Reviewed By global3adventure - Quito, Ecuador
One of the top highlights of both Banos & Ecuador is the Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron) Mother Nature's spectacular display of 3 thundering waterfalls where the Pastaza River cascades several hundred feet swirling into the rock basin. There are two entrances one from above and one from below. Wear sturdy footwear and a rain poncho as the steep steps, and paths are wet and slippery and filled with obstacles. Traversing the path into the Amazon you will encounter lush green flora, orchids, hummingbirds, and butterflies. You will cross several wooden suspension bridges, and crawl into caves behind the roaring falls. There are several balcony viewpoints along the way. The sheer height and power of the cascading water is breathtaking. Of course at the entrances there are a variety of vendors selling fruit, BBQ skewers, ice cream, & souvenirs.
2. El Cajas National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,364 reviews
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.
3. Laguna Quilotoa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,194 reviews
Reviewed By nowshiva - Lismore, Australia
We hired a car, from Quito. Much better than dealing with buses etc. The roads are really good. Signs are non-existent - have your maps on your phone to guide you. Also, a tip, download a map from Maps.me for offline use, of Quilotoa. Ok, so you arrive in the town, park, and then you have some choices. You can wander around a little, you can go down to the water - hire a kayak, or just hang out. Its a steep walk back up that hill, but I believe you may be able to hire a donkey to take you back up. We chose to hike around the crater. 11km. Its almost 4,000m, so be aware thats its really hard work. Worth carrying a cannister of oxygen, which you can buy in Quito for $30. The winds are REALLY strong. So you need something to cover your ears. Hiking we warmed up, but you need clothes at the ready. It took us 6 hours, with some breaks and lunch. Bring your food and water - nothing on the route. We took the advice and went counter clockwise. There some hills to climb - a lot, and one is up and up. The path is dusty, scrabble. Very narrow in places (like, 1m), with steep cliffs falling steeply away on either side. Not for the faint hearted! It was a fantastic experience. But extremely tiring - its like walking twice the distance at sea level. Worth doing, but be prepared for an intense time. The wind was very strong, the whole day. There are some choices - at times, you can go exactly up the ride. Other times, you can go around the sides of the hills, either on the outside or inside. We started at 10am. You wouldnt want to start much later than that, if you are going to do the whole loop. We met one guy who does it regularly, who claims he can do it in 4 hours, but thats serious power walking, and knowing what you are doing. The alternative is that you might walk for say 2 hours, and then retrace your steps. I am quite fit, but by the end, I felt a little dizzy. Very satsifying though.
4. Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7,730 reviews
The Temple of the Sun Temple Painter Ortega Maila is a masterpiece built by the indigenous painter and sculptor Ortega Maila after a great research of design and ancestral architecture to maintain his art and culture of the Andes. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour with a guide. The tour includes an aromatherapy session and coca leaf tea courtesy of the museum.
Reviewed By I2924GCdanielt - Prague, Czech Republic
Great place to visit, within the hour tour you can experience aromatherapy, coca tea, and view world-wide class paints.
5. Hacienda La Danesa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 254 reviews
Hacienda La Danesa (accommodation available) is a traditional dairy and cacao farm with over 145 years of rich heritage and history, located about an hour drive from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Family-owned and managed by the third generation Olsen family, the farm offers a unique selection of tailor-made activities for guests, including horseback riding trails, hands-on artisan chocolate making and other hacienda-related programs. La Danesa offers an intimate and authentic experience for those who would like to spend the night.
Reviewed By 537elizabethc
Showed us amazing hospitality - made us feel like special guest. We took advantage of all the activities - cacao growing, chocolate making, tubing, horseback riding, bicycling. Our guides were attentive and very informative. Lunch was delicious, and service was first class. Property is beautiful, and production facilities are very interesting. Only downside is that it is a very long ride from Guayaquil.
6. Quito Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,785 reviews
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.
7. Cerro Santa Ana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,008 reviews
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!
8. Parque Historico Guayaquil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,664 reviews
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 !
9. Malecon 2000
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,627 reviews
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.
10. TeleferiQo Teleferico Quito
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,550 reviews
Reviewed By ekeav
Pick a clear day and go in the morning, before it gets busy. Beautiful views that show just how big Quito really is! Bring a jacket, its very windy at the top! The cafe is lovely with more great views.
