Things to do in Ecuador
2 destinations in Ecuador, when to visit each, and what a trip actually costs.
Places to visit in Ecuador
- Things to do in Galapagos nature, adventure, beach
- Things to do in Quito culture, city, adventure
Best time to visit Ecuador
When flights to each destination are cheapest.
- Galapagos
- Fly in the low season from May through early July or September through October, when round-trip flights from major US hubs to Guayaquil plus the islands leg can run 20-35% cheaper than the December-January and July-August peaks. Midweek departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) on the mainland-to-islands segment also consistently undercut weekend pricing by $30-60.
- Quito
- The cheapest months to fly to Quito are typically May through early June and September through October, when you can find round trips 20-35% cheaper than the December holiday peak or the July-August high season. Flying midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday departures) consistently shaves an additional $30-60 off fares.
Is Ecuador expensive?
It depends on the city and how you travel. Open any destination below and set your dates, budget and home airport to get an estimated total for flights, stays and day-to-day spending, rather than a generic average.
Free things to do in Ecuador
- Galapagos: Tortuga Bay Beach Walk A stunning white-sand beach with marine iguanas, sharks in the lagoon, and zero crowds, completely free to access
- Quito: Wander Plaza Grande & Plaza San Francisco The beating heart of colonial Quito, free to stroll and people-watch with stunning church facades as your backdrop.