Last Updated: May 8, 2022
Planning a trip to Ecuador? Want some advice on places you can’t miss and others that you can skip without missing much? You’ve come to the right place.
The best Ecuador itinerary is going to include the must-see cities of Quito, Baños, and Cuenca. Depending on time, you can include the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon Rainforest, volcano hikes, and Pacific coast beaches. Choose between the catered 7-day, 10-day, 2 week, and 3 week itineraries as it fits your needs.
Ecuador is divided into 4 regions: Galápagos, La Costa, La Sierra, El Oriente. In plain English terms that’s the Galpagos, the coast, the mountains, and the Amazon. Each one of these offers different experiences, different food, different cultures, and different things to do.
In order to see all 4 of these regions, the minimum time you’d need in my opinion is 3 weeks. But even then, you might feel rushed. If you aren’t on vacation and you enjoy being on the go all the time, this is doable. Otherwise, you may want to consider cutting out one or even two regions to give yourself more time to better understand each place you visit, the people, and their culture.
That said, I’ve put the itineraries together so that you’d be moving at a comfortably quick pace.
While the country may not look very big on a map, you’ve got to keep in mind that the Andes Mountains run through the middle in a North-South direction. What might look like only 200kms on a map could easily mean a 6-hour bus ride. Keep travel time in mind when planning your trip.
Being constantly on the road, sometimes you’re going to be tired and just want to relax with music, a book, or your phone while lying in bed. And sometimes you’ll want a lazy day. This is more the case with longer trips but it’s also something to think about.
And, at some point you’re going to discover or hear about a place that isn’t on your chosen itinerary. Whether it’s talking to other travellers, an employee at your accommodation, or striking up a conversation with a local, someone is going to recommend you somewhere to visit that you hadn’t planned for.
Rather than saying, “oh well maybe next time,” I like to keep a free day once in a while in my itineraries for exactly these moments. If nobody piques your interest with a new place, use this as an R&R day, do a food tour, go to a sporting event/concert, or explore more of a city that you really feel a connection to.
The best moments and stories when travelling are the ones you don’t plan for.
Stay safe while on the road. Follow my 21 basic travel safety guidelines.
Ecuador Itinerary – 7 Days
With 7 days, I’m sorry to say but you won’t be able to see the whole country. It’s just not possible. Even if you flew everywhere and only spent one day in each place, a week isn’t enough.
Your starting point is likely going to be either Quito or Guayaquil. Guayaquil is closer to the beaches, but not a city you want to spend much time in. Quito, in the Andes Mountains, is one of the highest altitude cities in the world and warrants a couple days of exploration for itself.
Without further ado, let’s jump into your Ecuador travel itineraries.
Quito to Guayaquil
You can do this route in reverse if you arrive in Guayaquil.
Overview:
| DAY | LOCATION |
| 1-2 | Quito |
| 3-4 | Baños |
| 5-6 | Cuenca |
| 7 | Guayaquil |
This route is going to take you through the heart of Ecuador, the colonial cities, and the magic of the Andes. You’ll be getting up close and personal with the mix of ancient traditions of the Incas, the indigenous inhabitants before that, and the influence of modern society.
The drawback to this route is that you are going to spend a good chunk of time on busses and travelling between cities. The upside of it is that busses in Ecuador are comfortable and it can give you the time you need to read, watch movies, scroll Instagram, or just relax with your favourite playlist.
The other drawback is there are no beaches on this itinerary. That might be a dealbreaker for some, but this route is the best way to get to know Ecuador and the Andes culture. The 10-day Ecuador itinerary adds on beaches.
Make sure you look at the top foods Ecuador has to offer so you know what to try!
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Depending on what time you arrive you may or may not have time to explore any of the sights. Your first day in Ecuador is allotted to just getting yourself comfortable.
The airport is about an hour outside the city, more with bad traffic. When you’re planning your trip add a couple hours on to your arrival time before you drop your bags beside your bed. Clearing customs, immigration, retrieving your bags, finding a taxi, driving to your accommodation, and checking in will take at least 2 hours.
If you arrive early, you can take this time to walk around the centro histórico, getting yourself accustomed to the vibe of the city, the pace of life, and the altitude.
If you feel inclined, you can try to get yourself a sim card for your phone so that you have access to data when not on wifi. It’s a great help for navigating streets or trying to translate phrases. Sim cards are very cheap, but to get one in Ecuador you need an Ecuadorian ID. Some vendors won’t sell you a chip without this ID. Some, however, will have extra IDs lying around for exactly this moment. You might have to try a few places.
Claro is the largest and most popular company, but I’ve had issues with them working on my phone in a couple countries. Movistar and Tuenti are other popular carriers. I used Tuenti in Ecuador and had no complaints. Any corner store that has posters of these companies on the outside sells Sim cards.
Ideally, you’ll want to stay near the centro histórico. This is Quito’s best feature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you arrive early and find yourself with nearly a full day, or just want to see as much as you can, this is my list of best things to do in Quito where you can find additional activities to fill your time.
Day 2: Centro Histórico and the Equator
With our first full day in Quito we’re going to explore the centro histórico in the morning and head to the equator in the afternoon. In the evening, you can find some fantastic craft beer and food on Whymper Street.
The historical centre is a beautiful area of Quito that dates back to the 1500s. Take in the architecture of yesteryear and the sights, sounds, and smells of today.
Key spots to visit:
- Basílica del Voto Nacional (pictured)
- Plaza grande
- Palacio de Carondelet (presidential palace)
- Plaza de San Francisco
- Calle La Ronda
Be sure to go up to the top of the basilica to get a panoramic view of Quito from above. It costs between $3-5 but the views and pictures that you get from up there you’ll cherish forever.
How To Get To La Mitad del Mundo (The Equator in Quito)
When you’re done exploring the historic centre, grab some lunch and then head to the Ofelia Terminal in Northern Quito where you can find a bus heading to La Mitad del Mundo (The Middle of the World). From the historic centre you can take the O3 bus ($0.35) to Ofelia and then transfer there to the equator (~$2). Bussing is very cheap but will take more time.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi or Uber from the centro histórico directly to the monument.
The monument at the middle of the world is quite impressive and good place for pictures to remember your time in Ecuador. What’s more impressive, I found, is the museum that is just a 5-minute walk north.
It’s called the Museo de Sitio Intiñan and it actually sits at the true location of the equator. After some modern calculations it was discovered that the big monument is unfortunately a few hundred metres south of where it should be.
At the museum you can see water flush in opposite directions on either side of the equator, watch it flush straight down without spin while sat on the equator, and take part in some cool activities and experiments that only work at the equator.
Unfortunately, these are two separate sites and if you want to visit both you’ll need to pay two separate entrance fees, maybe $5 each. The large monument is great for photos, but the experience is more engaging and fun at the smaller museum around the corner.
Once you’ve had your fix of equator activities, find a bus or taxi back to the city.
If you’re looking for a nice area to eat and have a drink in the evening, I’d recommend Whymper Street. Great craft beer spots are Camino Del Sol, Sabai, and Katari. Each serve good food and the street itself has many different bars and restaurants where you can find something to your liking.
Day 3: Baños de Agua Santa
Baños is a beautiful valley town that has become known as Ecuador’s adventure capital. If you are into things like canyoning, white water rafting, ziplining, or other adrenaline pumping activities, you’re going to love Baños.
If you are like my mother and avoid these pursuits at all costs, you’re still going to love Baños. The route of waterfalls (La ruta de las cascadas) was one of the highlights of Ecuador for me and you can do it risk-free. Or for low risk you can rent a bicycle and ride your way down the waterfall highway. It’s mostly downhill but don’t worry you can get a truck at the end to bring you back.
For more ideas on what to do check out my list of top things to do in Baños.
How To Get To Baños, Ecuador
To find a bus to Baños, you’ll need to make your way to the Quitumbe Terminal in the south of Quito. The C4 bus will take you from the historic centre to Quitumbe for $0.35. A taxi or Uber will do it faster for somewhere around $7.
From Quitumbe you’ll find buses direct to Baños for less than $10. Traffic and road conditions can significantly alter your time of arrival, but I’d budget around 5 hours for the journey.
If you’re planning on doing any of the adventure activities, you’ll want to sort that out in the evening when you arrive. Your lodging might be able to do it for you, but if not just walk the main street in the town centre and you won’t be able to miss the shops set up specializing in adventure activities. Most of them leave early in the morning so it’s a good idea to set it up the night before.
If you aren’t doing any adventure activities, take the evening to stroll around and observe the beauty of the town. If you like, take a dip in the hot springs to relax yourself after the long bus ride.
Day 4: Baños Activities
The next morning, embark on your excursion whether it be adrenaline pumping or waterfall sightseeing.
The final waterfall on the route is jaw-dropping. To rent a bicycle, go to any of those main street shops and they’ll be able to rent you one for the day at maybe $6-7. Give it a test first to make sure everything works. They’ll direct you where to go and stroll at your own pace, stopping as you like to take pictures or breath in the sights. In the final town you can get a truck to drive you and your bike back.
Alternatively, you can take a bus all the way to the final waterfall (Pailon del Diablo) that will be quicker and easier but won’t let you stop whenever you like. If you are doing the adventure activities in the morning, a bus in the afternoon to Pailon will be well worth your time. This is a sight you don’t want to miss.
Find your way back to Baños, get some food and if you didn’t do it the previous night, the hot springs will be a great choice for relaxation in the night.
My recommendation would be to take a night bus from here to Cuenca. It’s about an 8-hour ride and with only a few days left on our journey we’re gonna want to make the most of them!
You’re unlikely to sleep comfortably on the bus, but you’ll lose less time and can take a quick nap the next afternoon. Check the terminal to see if this is an option for you. Otherwise, you’ll have to catch a bus to Cuenca the next day.
Day 5: Cuenca
Wow. It seems like you’ve just arrived and we’re nearly done. If you are one for colonial charm, Cuenca is the spot for you. Nearly every Ecuadorian agrees that Cuenca is the best city in the country. Even if you don’t care much for architecture or colonial buildings, Cuenca is still likely to wow you.
Check the bus schedule and buy your ticket the day before you plan to travel so you know at what time you’ll need to be ready. You can do this by just walking to the terminal in Baños (the same place where you arrived) and speaking to the agents there. I know you’ll be tired from the activities but take the earliest bus you can so you have as much time in Cuenca as possible. You can always sleep and relax on the bus.
If you take the night bus, you’ll be arriving in the wee hours of the morning and if you’re lucky you can check-in early to your accommodation and catch a few hours of shuteye. If you have some time to kill, here’s my list of top things to do in Cuenca.
Due to the long bus to get to Cuenca, this day will be reserved for just strolling around the town and taking in the sights. Look at my guide for Cuenca linked above to know about the best things to see and do.
In the evening, stroll down Calle Larga to find incredible international food options.
Day 6: El Cajas National Park
This park has the most amazing sights that I saw in all of Ecuador. Ecuador has a beautiful coast, towering volcanoes, and lush rainforest, but I’ve never seen anything like I did in El Cajas. The landscape looks like it is from another world.
It’s just a short ride from Cuenca so can be done on a day trip. You can choose to do it independently, finding your own way there and following a hiking trail, or you can do it with a tour group from Cuenca that will often pick you up from your hotel, guide your time in El Cajas, probably give you lunch, and drive you back.
If you choose to do it independently you can find buses leaving pretty frequently from the Cuenca terminal going to El Cajas. You can find some ideas for hiking trails here.
If you choose to use a tour guide, all of the logistics will be sorted for you. All you have to do is pick a tour company. Here are a few options for you to decide what you like best, or equally you can search the web.
Day 7: Cuenca to Guayaquil
This bus ride was my favourite in all of Ecuador. You will drive through Parque Nacional El Cajas, giving you another chance to see the wondrous landscape. You’ll descend through the Andes Mountains and the clouds on your way to the coast. It’s amazing to see the landscape change from crisp and mountainous to lush farms growing bananas, cocoa, and other tropical fruits.
Guayaquil is not a city that you need to see but it is the biggest transport hub in Ecuador. From here you can catch your international flight back home or to your next destination. If you booked a round trip flight to and from Quito, you can catch a quick non-stop flight back to Quito from here.
Alternatively, Cuenca has an airport where you can take a quick flight to your final destination.
Guayaquil is not the nicest place. It’s not recommended to walk around at night in this city, and even during the day keep an eye on your belongings. The city has a bit of a bad reputation.
For more, visit my article on safety in Ecuador and Guayaquil.
It’s about a 5-hour bus from Cuenca to Guayaquil. If you need to stay in Guayaquil overnight before your morning flight, that’s totally fine. It’s not like the place is seething with criminals waiting to pounce. It’s just somewhere you should take precautions.
That said, I hope you enjoy your Ecuadorian adventure!
10 Day Ecuador Itinerary
Overview:
| DAY | LOCATION |
| 1-2 | Quito |
| 3-4 | Baños |
| 5-6 | Cuenca |
| 7 | Guayaquil |
| 8-10 | Pacific Coast |
For the 10-day Ecuador itinerary we’re going to visit Quito, Baños, Cuenca, and the Pacific coast of Ecuador. It will be the same as the 7-day itinerary, but we’ll spend the last 3 days relaxing on the beach after the high pace of the previous week – the perfect way to enjoy your last few days in Ecuador and reflect on everything that you saw, smelled, tasted, and experienced.
There are different options depending on whether you are looking for a popular beach resort town (Salinas), a crazy backpacker party village (Montañita), or a small little fishing village with miles of beach (Olón). My personal favourite was Olón.
If you aren’t tired of being on the move, you can visit all 3. They aren’t very far from each other. But I think it might be best to pick one and settle there for a few days. Beaches are meant for relaxing.
Day 1: Quito Arrival
Day 2: Centro Histórico and the Middle of the World
Day 3: Baños de Agua Santa
Day 4: Baños Activities
Day 5: Cuenca
Day 6: El Cajas National Park
Day 7: Cuenca to Guayaquil
Depending on what time you arrive in Guayaquil you can decide to transfer buses at the terminal and head towards the beach, or you can spend one night here before heading to the coast.
If you read through the one-week itinerary you’ll know that Guayaquil isn’t the most desirable of places. It’s fine for a night stopover but there isn’t much to see.
Days 8-9: Salinas, Montañita, or Olón
This choice will be up to you depending what you want in your beach getaway.
Salinas is a more upscale resort town. Prices for accommodation will be higher here but you’ll also find better amenities. That being said, Salinas will come with a much lower price tag than other popular resort towns like Cancún or Punta Cana.
Montañita is further up the coast from Salinas and is for the travellers that want to party. It’s a small surf town that feels like it’s built for backpackers. The waves are great for beginner surfers and the parties go until the sun comes up – and then some. There are all-you-can-drink offers almost every night of the week for $5.
Olón is just 5 minutes further up the coast from Montañita but it offers a much more laidback vibe. This was my favourite place on the coast. If you find yourself in the party mood, just take a cab back down the coast 5 minutes and you’ll be in the thick of it. Olón will let you experience Montañita without having to commit to it full time. Olón also has great waves for beginners to learn to surf.
Check out this article for more information about Olón and Montañita.
To reach each of these locations you’ll need to take a bus from Guayaquil. They run frequently so there´s no need to pre-book. Just head to the terminal when you’re ready and you won’t be waiting long for the next bus.
Day 10: Return to Quito or Guayaquil
On our final day in Ecuador we’ll head back to the transport hubs of Quito or Guayaquil depending on where your return or onward ticket leaves from. Guayaquil is much closer, just a couple hours by bus. Quito is maybe 10 hours.
Make sure you leave yourself enough time before your flight and take into account the possibility of bad traffic or a road closure that adds a few hours onto your journey.
2 Week Ecuador Itinerary
With 2 weeks in Ecuador we can add either the Amazon or Galápagos Islands to our travel itinerary. The Amazon is best reached from Quito whereas the Galápagos Islands are easiest to get to from Guayaquil.
Amazon Option
Overview:
| DAY | LOCATION |
| 1-3 | Quito |
| 4-6 | Amazon – Cuyabeno |
| 7-8 | Baños |
| 9-10 | Cuenca |
| 11 | Guayaquil |
| 12-14 | Pacific Coast |
If you choose to make the Amazon Rainforest your added excursion, you can choose between doing a 3-day/2-night tour in the Amazon or a 4-day/3-night tour. You need to get to Lago Agrio to reach Cuyabeno and it can either be done by plane or bus. The plane is much quicker but more expensive.
If you opt for the 4-day tour you’ll be leaving Quito on the 2nd night if you are bussing, or on the morning of your 3rd day if you are flying. If you opt for the 3-day tour, you’ll get an extra day in Quito and either bus on the 3rd night or fly on the 4th morning.
There are a few tour companies to choose from for the Cuyabeno Reserve. Look at the options they offer and how they fit with what you want to see. They will pick you up in the morning in Lago Agrio and then you’ll be in their hands for the next 3-4 days with everything taken care of.
They’ll wait for the bus and flight arrivals before heading into the jungle. Read the reviews and decide the level of comfort you’re looking for before you choose a company.
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Day 2: Centro Histórico and Equator
Day 3: Teleferiqo and Night Bus or Next Morning Flight to Lago Agrio
If you decide on the 3-day tour in the Amazon, we’ll have an extra day in Quito. So, on your 3rd day in Ecuador if you’re bussing you’ll check out of your accommodation but you’ll still spend the day in Quito. Your accommodation should be able to keep your luggage locked away safe for you while you go out for the day. If you’re flying to Lago Agrio you’ll spend one more night at your lodging.
With a day to waste in Quito, head to the Teleferiqo. For roughly $8 you can take a cable car high above the city and back. On a clear day you can see a number of the peaks and volcanoes that surround Quito.
Enjoy a coffee high above the city, and if you feel inclined and well-adjusted to the altitude, there is a hike up the Pichincha Volcano that will take about 5 hours round trip and provide you with stunning views of the surrounding area provided it’s a clear day.
When you are finished with the Teleferiqo you can spend the rest of the day relaxing before your bus ride in Parque Carolina, or at a cute café. For more ideas check out the top things to do in Quito.
You need to get to Lago Agrio to have the best access to Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve – the best spot to view the Amazon in Ecuador. The night bus will be your best option here because it’s an 8+ hour ride. Equally, you can fly on the next morning and get a comfortable night’s sleep. The bus will be roughly $25 return whereas the flight will be in the $200 neighbourhood. Tame airlines runs the route to Lago Agrio from Quito.
Usually, the bus leaves at 11pm from Quitumbe Terminal but double check with your lodging to ensure this is still the case.
Day 4-6: Amazon Rainforest
Your tour operator will pick you up in Lago Agrio in the morning and you’ll make your way into the jungle where you’ll spend the next 2-3 nights.
When your tour is over they’ll bring you back to Lago Agrio in the afternoon where you can either catch your return flight to Quito or your return bus. If you chose the 4-day/3-night tour in the Amazon you’ll be arriving here on the 3rd day but still leaving on that 6th day.
For all tours, you’ll end up back in Lago Agrio on Day 6. If you flew it’ll be a short ride back to Quito. If the bus is your mode of transport, you’ll make it back to Quito later that evening.
Day 7: Baños de Agua Santa
Day 8: Baños Activities
Day 9: Cuenca
Day 10: Parque Nacional El Cajas
Day 11: Cuenca to Guayaquil
Days 12-13: Beach Destination
Day 14: Return to Quito or Guayaquil
Galápagos Islands Option
Overview:
| DAY | LOCATION |
| 1-2 | Quito |
| 3-4 | Baños |
| 5-6 | Cuenca |
| 7 | Guayaquil |
| 8-12 | Galápagos |
| 13-14 | Pacific Coast |
If you opt for the Galápagos Islands as the feature of your 2-week itinerary in Ecuador, we’ll use the same 7-day itinerary as above, except instead of flying home or back to Quito on the 7th day, we’ll fly to the world famous Galápagos Islands.
If you still want to have relaxing beach time on the Pacific coast at the end of your vacation, that’ll mean you have 4 nights to spare for the Galápagos. Or, you can choose to extend this up to 7 days, forgoing part or all of the Pacific coast portion of the itinerary.
Keep in mind that Galápagos is the most expensive place in Ecuador.
Day 1: Quito Arrival
Day 2: Centro Histórico and the Middle of the World
Day 3: Baños de Agua Santa
Day 4: Baños Activities
Day 5: Cuenca
Day 6: El Cajas National Park
Day 7: Cuenca to Guayaquil
Days 8 to 11-14 (depending how long you want to stay): Galápagos Islands
You have 2 options when it comes to the islands: cruise or island hopping.
A cruise is the easiest way to see the islands. Everything is taken care of for you and you go to places in the archipelago that you just can’t reach while island hopping and sleeping on land. The cruise is the priciest option but you can always find last-minute cruise deals for a fraction of the price, coming in somewhere near $1,500.
There are many operators that run Galápagos cruises so take some time to do research before choosing the cruise that´s best for you.
If you choose the island hopping option, I´d recommend extending the island portion of your itinerary and forgoing the Pacific Coast. Island hopping and day tours will require more organization and time than the cruise. You would feel quite rushed if only here for 4 nights on an island hopping adventure.
6-7 days in the Galápagos will give you enough time to see everything you want to and give you a chance to enjoy some of the beaches that the islands have to offer.
Island hopping will be slightly less expensive than a cruise and much more independent, but the boat rides in between islands can be quite choppy and organizing all of your own day tours can be cumbersome.
If you are only on the islands for a short time, I think a cruise would be your best bet.
There are 3 islands to visit if you are doing an island hopping adventure: San Cristóbal, Isabela, and Santa Cruz.
Days 12-13: Beach Destination
Day 14: Return to Quito or Guayaquil
Happy Adventures!
Ecuador Itinerary – 3 Weeks
Overview:
| DAY | LOCATION |
| 1-3 | Quito |
| 4-6 | Amazon – Cuyabeno |
| 7-8 | Baños |
| 9-11 | Cuenca |
| 12 | Guayaquil |
| 13-18 | Galápagos |
| 19-21 | Pacific Coast |
If you really want to explore Ecuador, 3 weeks will give you what you need. The previous itineraries will give you a little taste of the country but with 3 weeks in Ecuador you will really be able to experience it.
You’ll get to see all 4 regions of Ecuador: Galápagos, La Costa, La Sierra, El Oriente.
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Day 2: Centro Histórico and the Middle of the World
Day 3: Teleferiqo and Night Bus or Next Morning Flight to Lago Agrio
Day 4-6: Amazon Rainforest
Day 7: Baños de Agua Santa
Day 8: Baños Activities
Day 9: Cuenca
Day 10: El Cajas National Park
Day 11: Relax Day in Cuenca
With 3 weeks, you’ll need a couple of rest days. The beaches on the Pacific Coast will serve well for this, but as a sort of midway point, Cuenca is a great spot to spend an extra day just taking in the atmosphere of the town.
For ideas on what to do if you want to stay active, here’s a list of the top things to do in Cuenca.
Day 12: Cuenca to Guayaquil
Day 13-18: Galápagos Islands
Depending on how long you plan to stay in Galápagos, these day numbers may change. You can always erase the Cuenca relax day or a couple days on the Pacific Coast beaches to extend your Galápagos stay.
Day 18-20: Pacific Coast Beaches
Day 21: Return to Quito or Guayaquil
I hope these itineraries help you plan your trip to Ecuador. It’s a beautiful country with beautiful people. Don’t hesitate to adjust the itineraries to fit your plans. If you have more than 3 weeks, I’d recommend checking out Otavalo, Loja, Vilcabamba, or the Quilatoa Loop.
Adjust the itineraries as it suits you. They’re intended more as a guide to help you plan your trip rather than a strict regimen to follow.
Safe travels and enjoy Ecuador!
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