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: 359
  • 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 | 41.65% Visitors | 97 Hotels

  • Guayaquil

    Popularity: 2 | 10.06% Visitors | 32 Hotels

  • Puerto Ayora

    Popularity: 3 | 9.93% Visitors | 11 Hotels

  • Cuenca

    Popularity: 4 | 6.46% Visitors | 32 Hotels

  • Banos

    Popularity: 5 | 5.38% Visitors | 23 Hotels

  • Isabela

    Popularity: 6 | 2.83% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • Otavalo

    Popularity: 7 | 2.74% Visitors | 12 Hotels

  • Riobamba

    Popularity: 8 | 2.5% Visitors | 13 Hotels

  • Montanita

    Popularity: 9 | 2.3% Visitors | 11 Hotels

  • Mindo

    Popularity: 10 | 2.07% Visitors | 8 Hotels

  • Salinas

    Popularity: 11 | 1.84% Visitors | 16 Hotels

  • Puerto Lopez

    Popularity: 12 | 1.36% Visitors | 10 Hotels

  • Vilcabamba

    Popularity: 13 | 1.3% Visitors | 5 Hotels

  • Yasuni National Park

    Popularity: 14 | 1.19% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Santa Cruz

    Popularity: 15 | 1.14% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Manta

    Popularity: 16 | 0.84% Visitors | 12 Hotels

  • San Cristobal

    Popularity: 17 | 0.83% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Mompiche

    Popularity: 18 | 0.81% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Bahia De Caraquez

    Popularity: 19 | 0.62% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

    Popularity: 20 | 0.53% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Ibarra

    Popularity: 21 | 0.46% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • Puerto Villamil

    Popularity: 22 | 0.44% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Tena

    Popularity: 23 | 0.4% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Cuyabeno

    Popularity: 24 | 0.35% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Pedro Vicente Maldonado

    Popularity: 25 | 0.35% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Las Tunas

    Popularity: 26 | 0.35% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Atacames

    Popularity: 27 | 0.2% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Loja

    Popularity: 28 | 0.2% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • Latacunga

    Popularity: 29 | 0.15% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • San Clemente

    Popularity: 30 | 0.11% Visitors | 1 Hotels

 

Top Ecuador Hotels

  • 1
    La Casa Verde- Eco Hostel
    Camino Real, Santa Ana, Banos
    100% recommended | 54 reviews
  • 2
    Hotel Casa Del Aguila
    Mariscal Sucre 13 - 56, Cuenca
    100% recommended | 20 reviews
  • 3
    Hostal Chimenea
    Luis A. Martinez y Rafael Vieira, Banos
    99% recommended | 41 reviews
  • 4
    Hotel Plaza Grande
    Garcia Moreno N5-16 y Chile, Quito
    100% recommended | 21 reviews
  • 5
    Mansion Alcazar Hotel Boutique
    Simon Bolivar 12-55 y y Tarqui, Cuenca
    95% recommended | 54 reviews
  • 6
    San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve
    , Quito
    96% recommended | 63 reviews
  • 7
    Boutique Hotel Mansion Del Angel
    Los Rios N13-134 y Pasaje Gandara, Quito
    97% recommended | 58 reviews
  • 8
    Four Points by Sheraton Quito
    Avda. Naciones Unidas Y Republica, Quito
    97% recommended | 50 reviews
  • 9
    Le Parc Hotel
    Av Republica de El Salvador, Quito
    95% recommended | 65 reviews
  • 10
    Finch Bay Eco Hotel
    Barrio Punta Estrada, Puerto Ayora
    96% recommended | 144 reviews