Ecuador with kids

Arguably best known as a destination for adventurous backpackers and off-the-beaten-trackers — with the Galapagos Islands also drawing divers and wildlife-lovers — Ecuador isn't likely to be the first place that comes to mind for a family-friendly trip. But hold that thought — this diverse South American land definitely shouldn’t be taken off the table as a family-friendly destination. Read on to find out why visiting Ecuador with kids isn’t just viable — it has the potential to give you and your little ones an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. 

Is Ecuador suitable for kids?

In a word, yes — Ecuador can be a fantastic destination for families with children. 

Offering opportunities to walk, bike and boat on the wild side, see incredible wildlife in national parks, and visit wonderful beaches and ancient ruins, kids (and grown-ups) of all ages will be entertained, while learning a whole lot of cool stuff about nature and history.

On a practical note, a variety of accommodation types caters to those travelling with kids, from guesthouses with family rooms, to resorts equipped with pools and child-friendly amenities.

That said, you should also be aware of a few downsides. For example, sidewalks in rural and urban areas aren’t terribly stroller friendly, and using buses is also tricky with a stroller. 

To get around this, hire your own wheels, or ditch the stroller and use a carrier instead. 

On balance, if you’re thinking of visiting Ecuador with kids, you just need to consider where to stay — and when to visit — and to plan your itinerary wisely, considering the age-specific needs of your party. All of which is covered below.

Considering visiting Ecuador with kids? Check out our customisable Ecuador itinerary for ideas. What’s more, our local experts can tailor a child-friendly trip that’s 100% personalised to your needs. 

Travelling to Ecuador with infants and toddlers

First up, if you're travelling with infants or toddlers, you'll definitely want to find accommodation that's infant and/or child-friendly and can provide the likes of cribs and high chairs. The good news is, many hotels in major cities and tourist areas offer these facilities.

When it comes to getting around, we recommend opting for private transport over public buses, which can be crowded and less comfortable for young children. It’s also pretty tricky to transport the likes of strollers on buses. 

Also note that while car rentals available at airports typically offer car seats, it's a good idea to check and book these in advance.

You’ll also want to have a travel health kit handy — something that’s well-stocked with items such as baby paracetamol, anti-rash cream, and rehydration salts. 

It’s also essential to always have bottled water on hand for formula or drinking to avoid stomach upsets.

Lastly, if you’re travelling with infants, it goes without saying that you’ll be better off planning shorter, flexible itineraries that allow for frequent breaks. 

For example, parks and quieter, less crowded spots like the botanical gardens in Quito, capital of Ecuador, provide safe, less overwhelming settings for little ones to play, explore and let off steam. 

Another good option if you’re travelling with very young kids is to head to the Andean highlands and stay in a comfy, well-equipped hacienda. Many accommodation options have access to child-pleasing farm experiences.

Alternatively, how about considering a beach-based break on the Pacific coast or the Galapagos Islands? For example, on the latter, Tortuga Bay is a top spot for families to enjoy the white-sand beach, plus plenty of wildlife.

Need more convincing? Read up on things to know before visiting Ecuador.

Ecuador with pre-teen kids

We’re going to put our necks out and hail Ecuador a truly magical place to visit with pre-teen kids. And the reasons? There are many, starting with the incredible wildlife experiences that can be had in mind-blowing settings that evoke the likes of Jurassic Park jungles.

For example, if you organise trips to places like the Galápagos Islands or the Amazon rainforest, guided tours provide exciting — and educational — insights into unique flora, fauna and geology. Meanwhile, little ones will be wowed by watching giant humpback whales along the Pacific Coast. 

Nature and wildlife aside, Ecuador offers visitors plenty of child-pleasing educational and cultural experiences. How about heading to the interactive Intiñan Solar Museum in Quito, where aspiring scientists can learn about the equator through fun experiments?

Meanwhile, kids with a sweet-tooth will be delighted by Ecuador’s chocolate culture, whether you opt to visit a rural cacao farm, or book a chocolate-tasting experience in Quito. 

Alternatively, if your littles one are into craft and hands-on experiences, consider booking a local cooking class or craft workshop that’ll enable them to create and bring home self-made souvenirs.

Still undecided? Wise up on other family-friendly destinations, and some of the best places to go with kids.

Ecuador with teenagers 

While all the experiences detailed above are also likely to keep the teenagers in your life happy, older kids can also throw themselves into Ecuador’s adventure sports. How about mountain biking down Cotopaxi volcano, surfing in Montañita, or zip-lining in Baños? Older teenagers could also learn to scuba dive in the Galapagos.

Another great way to engage older kids and teenagers is via trips that engage with local communities. That might be through wildlife protection initiatives, or local-led community farm and cultural projects. 

For example, our customisable Best of Ecuador in Three Weeks itinerary is stacked with authentic wildlife and cultural experiences led by local guides.

Teenagers might also especially enjoy soaking up Ecuadorian culture at a festival — read up on when to go to Ecuador to help you plan the timing of your visit.

On the subject of planning, invite the teenager/s you’re travelling to get involved with curating your trip. Give them responsibly for choosing some activities and helping map out your schedule.

Where to stay in Ecuador with kids

While only you will know exactly what kind of experiences you and your family want — and your own personal practical needs — here’s a run-down of some recommended areas of Ecuador to visit, considering different age groups.

Infants and toddlers

Due to their well-developed tourist infrastructures and the availability of child-friendly amenities, both Quito and Cuenca, in the southern sierra, are great for families with infants and toddlers. 

For example, in Quito, you can easily navigate the historic centre with a stroller, while Cuenca’s compact size makes it easy to manage with little ones.

In addition, both cities have safe, serene parks to stroll in, like Parque La Carolina in Quito and Parque de la Madre in Cuenca.

Quito is also a great base for taking stacks of unforgettable day trips — especially good to know if you’re travelling with kids of different ages. For example, two hours from Quito, Mindo Cloud Forest is a delight for wildlife lovers, and a top spot to hike and zip-line.

Then there’s the Middle of the World (Mitad del Mundo). Just 45-minutes north of Quito, here you can visit the monument and museum that marks the equatorial line. 

Alternatively, just a couple of hours from Quito, Mindo provides a peaceful retreat in nature. 

Less crowded than the capital, with a mild climate that’s comfortable for young children, here you can enjoy easy walks through the cloud forest, visit butterfly farms, and watch hummingbirds.

Pre-teen kids

In addition to the destinations detailed above, we also recommend the Galapagos Islands as a great place to head with pre-teen kids.

They really are a magical destination for children who are old enough to appreciate wildlife, from sea lions and giant tortoises, to blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas.

Or, if your kids are more into adventure activities, Baños might just hit the spot. Known for its adventure parks and water activities, the town offers safe bike paths, small-scale zip-lining, and easy hikes around waterfalls.

Teenagers

Here are a couple of extra destinations to consider if you’re travelling to Ecuador with teenagers.

Sitting top of the tree is visiting Ecuador’s Amazon region. Presenting incredible biodiversity and ecological insights alongside jungle treks and canoe trips, visiting the rainforest is sure to be an all-round unforgettable experience for teenagers.

Alternatively, teenagers with a taste for adventure might just love Cotopaxi.  It’s a top place to come for mountain biking and horseback riding. That and climbing one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

Then there’s Montañita. Here the teenagers in your life could take surf lessons, enjoy beach activities, and experience lively nightlife (under supervision, of course!).

Not set on staying in one spot? Keep reading for recommended Ecuador itineraries to enjoy with kids.

Recommended Ecuador itineraries with kids

Following on from our suggested places to stay in Ecuador with kids of different ages, here are some itinerary ideas to have on your radar.

Infants, toddlers and pre-teen kids

When it comes to Ecuador itineraries that are most suitable for infants, toddlers and kids, we suggest opting for something that involves less time on the road.

So, for example, if you’re travelling with very young kids, the Andean Highway and the Galapagos Island itinerary suggestion outlined below could be tweaked so you spend more time in Quito, and cut out the Galapagos. 

But back to the full itinerary idea. After exploring Quito’s UNESCO World Heritage Site attractions, take a trip to Baños, which is known for its thermal baths and  adventure offerings.

Next up, venture to Cotopaxi National Park to be wowed by the colossal Cotopaxi volcano and enjoy a scenic hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon. Or how about heading to the Devil’s waterfall?

Next, fly to the Galapagos to spend a week or so exploring the islands and seeing some of the world’s most unique wildlife, with plenty of activities available on land and sea. 

Fancy focussing on the Galapagos? Dive into our itinerary ideas for spending a week or 10 days in the Galapagos.

Teenagers

Our itinerary covering Ecuador’s Amazon is ideal for teenagers who’ll be energised by adventure in the great outdoors and edified by ecological insights, but also want the comfort of a high-end lodge. 

Kick off your trip in Quito, from where you can venture to Cotopaxi National Park and Lake Limpiopungo before transferring to Napo Wildlife Center for adventure activities in the lush rainforest.

Offering canopy tower trips, hikes and canoe trips, you can easily enjoy a week here and still want more. 

Want more ideas? Read our suggested itineraries for spending 7 days in Ecuador, and 14 days in Ecuador.

Practical tips for travelling with kids

To make your family trip to Ecuador all the more rewarding, here's a few practical tips.

Infants and toddlers

Pack wisely: bring supplies like diapers, wipes, baby food, and medication as they might not be readily available, or could be expensive. Also consider bringing a portable crib or baby carrier.

Be health-wise: always use bottled water for drinking and preparing formula, and have a good sun hat and sunscreen.

Choose accommodation wisely: research family-friendly hotels or accommodation that offers cribs, high chairs and kitchen facilities.

Plan wisely: tailor daily itineraries around your child’s routine, allowing for naps and regular feeding times.

Pre-teen kids

Bring boredom busters: come armed with games, books and activities to keep kids entertained while you're travelling.

Stay safe: while you’ll know to keep a close eye on your kids, especially in crowded places, also teach them to stay close and what to do if you’re separated.

Book interactive activities: keep ‘em keen by keeping your itinerary interactive and engaging — think guided wildlife walks and chocolate-making workshops.

Factor in rest breaks: make sure your itinerary allows for downtime. As you’ll be aware, kids need a balance of adventure and rest.

Teenagers

Offer adventure and freedom: incorporate activities that feed teenagers' sense of adventure and independence e.g. surfing in Montañita, exploring Otavalo's markets, or trekking in the Andes and Amazon.

Offer immersion: encourage teenagers to learn and interact with local culture through the likes of language classes or cooking sessions. 

Keep them connected: ensure teenagers have at least some access to wi-fi so they can stay in touch with friends and share their experiences. 

Responsibility: give them responsibilities during the trip, such as creating and managing day plans, or helping with navigation. 

For more general advice, read our practical tips for travelling with kids.

Eager to visit Ecuador? You’ll find more inspiration in our Ecuador itinerary and the picture-packed Insight Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos.