Best places in Ecuador to visit
From icons to hidden treasures
















Tailor-made trips, just for you, by local experts
Discover what makes Ecuador unforgettable
The Galápagos Islands are world-famous for their one-of-a-kind wildlife. You can snorkel with sea lions, hike beside giant tortoises, and spot exotic birds like the blue-footed booby. Every day feels like a new adventure in these islands, where you can experience nature in its purest, most untouched form—no other place quite compares.
Ecuador’s Andes are not only breathtaking but deeply connected to the local culture. Hike around Cotopaxi, one of the world’s tallest active volcanoes, or visit traditional villages like Quilotoa, where indigenous communities still thrive. You can explore the stunning landscapes while learning about the customs and way of life of the people who call these mountains home.
Ecuador’s slice of the Amazon is a lush, vibrant paradise. Imagine cruising along jungle rivers, surrounded by towering trees and exotic animals like pink dolphins and howler monkeys. Stay in eco-lodges that blend luxury with sustainability, and experience the natural wonders of the rainforest while learning about its critical role in our ecosystem.
Cities like Quito and Cuenca blend old-world charm with vibrant local culture. Think cobblestone streets, beautiful colonial architecture, and bustling markets. You can spend a day wandering through Quito’s historic center, a UNESCO site, or just sip coffee in a plaza, soaking up the atmosphere.
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Rough Guides gets rave reviews
Trustpilot Rated 4.8/5.014/07/2025
My friend and I booked a tailored trip to Peru—our first time doing something like this—and it exceeded all expectations. Maria, who handles trips in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, was outstanding from start to finish. She clearly communicated every detail before booking, adjusted the itinerary to our wishes, and handled everything professionally and with care. Payment was smooth, and she remained available whenever issues came up—even when our flights caused delays, she stepped in to help immediately. The guides were knowledgeable, patient, and passionate, adding depth to our experience. The drivers were reliable, and the whole trip felt both well-planned and pleasantly spontaneous. Even when minor problems came up, Maria resolved them quickly and efficiently. Her dedication made all the difference.
29/06/2025
We had an unforgettable trip to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, beautifully organized by Responsible Travel. Every detail of the journey was handled with care, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. A special thank you goes to Cynthia, who managed the planning with exceptional professionalism and warmth. From the very start, she listened carefully to our preferences and needs, and continued to show genuine care and attention throughout the entire trip. Her meticulous coordination ensured that everything ran smoothly, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy the stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and rich culture of the region. Cynthia’s dedication and thoughtful approach truly made this trip extraordinary. We cannot recommend Responsible Travel — and especially Cynthia — highly enough.
21/06/2025
Maria was incredibly patient at working through a number of iterations of my itinerary on a very limited budget to make it as special as possible. Once I arrived everything was seamless and Maria kept in touch throughout my trip to check that everything was on track and whether I needed anything. All the people doing transfers and the guides were very friendly and professional, and the accommodation in Cusco was good. Highly professional service which facilitated me having a really memorable experience.
11/03/2025
This was my family’s first time taking a personalized tour and working with RoughGuides. We choose RoughGuides after reading reviews on multiple travel-related sights. RoughGuides has direct staff and contracted guides in many countries. Our trip planner was based in Ecuador although our trip was to Chile. RoughGuides utilizes a web chat system to manage planning staff and traveler communications. The traveler provides an initial summary of trip goals and the RoughGuides planner starts building a plan/itinerary for the trip. The process was straightforward but would be easier and more efficient if RoughGuides had a detailed “traveler profile questionnaire.” For example, our family prefers quiet mornings until about 10 AM. This fact didn’t seem relevant until draft plans/itineraries continued to have touring activities start between 8 and 9 AM. Overall our family was impressed by the quality of the RoughGuides team and the local travel guides/drivers who RoughGuides employs. All of our guides spoke understandable to excellent English and were well-versed in local facts, histories, and culture. One of the ways our family enjoys the local flavor of destinations is via food tours. We usually include at least one food tour in our itinerary. This experience sold our family on personalized touring. We’ll continue using personalized touring when traveling to destinations where our native language, English, is less common.
31/01/2025
It's the second time I use Rough Guides for a trip. The first one was fantastic, the past one extraordinary. What a trip we had, would go as far as saying life-changing. The places I visited and the humans as guides changed the way I viewed the place. Nothing but good, nah, great things to say. Do not hesitate to go with rough guides, then you will not have to think, just enjoy the voyage
04/01/2025
We had a great experience--detailed and timely communication, follow-through on commitments, and friendly staff. We would travel with Rough Guides and their local agencies again.
From icons to hidden treasures
Discover Ecuador's most captivating stories
Arrange your trip, hassle-free, with local travel experts
Arrange your trip with local travel experts