Ecuador Travel & Tourism

As the second smallest country in South America, Ecuador offers a diversity of culture and landscape within a condensed package. Visitors can explore Ecuador’s geographic wonders or explore the country’s bustling cities to learn more about the native culture. Nestled in a valley high in the Andes, the town of Quito is renowned for its historical center. Known as “Old Town,” this colonial town is alive with native culture, sporting bustling streets and small local markets. The city’s “New Town,” on the other hand, offers a variety of hotels, high rises and cafés. Escape to Otavalo, a small town ripe with Incan culture. Visitors can stroll through the markets, selecting from a variety of world-renowned hand-woven goods. Although the city is often overrun by tourists, it offers an insightful look into the small-town Ecuadorean way of life. The city of Banos is a popular hit among tourists, set within an exciting alpine location. The city offers infinite opportunities for biking, hiking and soaking in one of the many thermal baths. Visitors can also view the local steaming volcano and catch glimpses of the Amazon Basin. Those with a never-ending appetite for adventure can try out their heels on the Quilotoa Loop trek that stretches through the plethora of small highland villages in the Andes Mountains. This trek allows visitors to escape the crowds of tourists and interact with the indigenous Ecuadorean people. For those who want to have an adventure overseas, the Galápagos Islands are just a boat ride away from Ecuador. Located more than 1000 kilometers from Ecuador, visitors can indulge their eyes in the islands’ signature landscape and spot unique animals that are rarely seen elsewhere. Despite the islands’ isolation, parts of the Galápagos are developed to cater to the growing tourists industry and the island hosts a population of more than 30,000 people.


Worldwide Tourism Popularity Ranking: 57 of 230


Air Travel

  • Quality of Airports: Average (4.6 of 7)
  • Number of Airlines: 20
  • Number of Arriving Passengers: 968000

Hotels & Lodging

  • Quality of Lodging: Good (4.2 of 5)
  • Number of Hotels: 408
  • Average Room Rate: $92.76

Purpose of Visit

  • Business Trip: 12%
  • Family Vacation: 17%
  • Couples Getaway: 46%
  • Friends Trip: 14%
  • Solo Travel: 16%

Top Vacation Destinations in Ecuador

Most popular cities in Ecuador in terms of percentage of visitors and number of hotels:

  • Quito
    Popularity: 1 | 40.07% Visitors | 102 Hotels

  • Guayaquil
    Popularity: 2 | 11.04% Visitors | 36 Hotels

  • Puerto Ayora
    Popularity: 3 | 9.04% Visitors | 12 Hotels

  • Cuenca
    Popularity: 4 | 6.73% Visitors | 39 Hotels

  • Banos
    Popularity: 5 | 5.18% Visitors | 24 Hotels

  • Isabela
    Popularity: 6 | 2.95% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • Otavalo
    Popularity: 7 | 2.72% Visitors | 12 Hotels

  • Montanita
    Popularity: 8 | 2.25% Visitors | 15 Hotels

  • Riobamba
    Popularity: 9 | 2.23% Visitors | 13 Hotels

  • Salinas
    Popularity: 10 | 1.94% Visitors | 19 Hotels

  • Mindo
    Popularity: 11 | 1.88% Visitors | 9 Hotels

  • Mompiche
    Popularity: 12 | 1.55% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Puerto Lopez
    Popularity: 13 | 1.54% Visitors | 12 Hotels

  • Vilcabamba
    Popularity: 14 | 1.53% Visitors | 5 Hotels

  • Manta
    Popularity: 15 | 1.12% Visitors | 12 Hotels

  • Yasuni National Park
    Popularity: 16 | 0.99% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Santa Cruz
    Popularity: 17 | 0.87% Visitors | 5 Hotels

  • Puerto Villamil
    Popularity: 18 | 0.72% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • Bahia De Caraquez
    Popularity: 19 | 0.62% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • San Cristobal
    Popularity: 20 | 0.57% Visitors | 5 Hotels

  • Ibarra
    Popularity: 21 | 0.54% Visitors | 8 Hotels

  • Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
    Popularity: 22 | 0.51% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Cuyabeno
    Popularity: 23 | 0.42% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Atacames
    Popularity: 24 | 0.41% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Las Tunas
    Popularity: 25 | 0.4% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Pedro Vicente Maldonado
    Popularity: 26 | 0.35% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Tena
    Popularity: 27 | 0.33% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Latacunga
    Popularity: 28 | 0.31% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • Loja
    Popularity: 29 | 0.25% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • Esmeraldas
    Popularity: 30 | 0.25% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Puyo
    Popularity: 31 | 0.22% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • San Clemente
    Popularity: 32 | 0.1% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Machala
    Popularity: 33 | 0.08% Visitors | 2 Hotels


Top Ecuador Hotels

  • 1
    La Casa Verde- Eco Hostel
    Camino Real, Santa Ana, Banos
    100% recommended | 115 reviews
  • 2
    Hotel Plaza Grande
    Garcia Moreno N5-16 y Chile, Quito
    98% recommended | 37 reviews
  • 3
    Hotel Casa Del Aguila
    Mariscal Sucre 13 - 56, Cuenca
    100% recommended | 53 reviews
  • 4
    Hostal Chimenea
    Luis A. Martinez y Rafael Vieira, Banos
    99% recommended | 68 reviews
  • 5
    Casa Amarilla
    Final de la Juan Leon Mera sendero peatonal, Banos
    100% recommended | 9 reviews
  • 6
    Mansion Alcazar Hotel Boutique
    Simon Bolivar 12-55 y y Tarqui, Cuenca
    95% recommended | 79 reviews
  • 7
    Sheraton Quito
    Avda. Naciones Unidas Y Republica, Quito
    97% recommended | 91 reviews
  • 8
    Lugano Suites
    Suiza N33 132 y calle Checoeslovaquia, Quito
    97% recommended | 54 reviews
  • 9
    Hotel Los Balcones
    Presidente Borrero 12-08 y Gaspar Sangurima esquina, Cuenca
    0% recommended | 9 reviews
  • 10
    Finch Bay Eco Hotel
    Barrio Punta Estrada, Puerto Ayora
    96% recommended | 248 reviews