Ecuador is a small country in South America. But there are a lot of tourist attractions and places to visit in Ecuador. From the Amazon Rainforest to the Galapagos Islands to the Andes Mountains, there is a lot to see and do. This country is a naturalist's paradise because it has so many different kinds of plants and animals. Aside from that, history buffs will always have a soft spot for towns with colonial buildings that are still standing. It's not surprising that a lot of people go there.

So, we've made a list of the best places to visit in Ecuador that you shouldn't miss. It tells you what we think you should see and do in Ecuador, as well as what you should definitely plan to do.

Cotopaxi National Park

Three volcanoes can be found in Cotopaxi National Park, which is a beautiful place. Cotopaxi's namesake is a huge volcano with a glacier on top. It is one of the tallest active volcanoes in the world. But don't worry. The last big eruption was in 1908, and since then, the volcano's peak has literally frozen over.

Cotopaxi's unique glacier is an unusual feature on a volcano. The area around the volcanoes is full of lush, green fields, sparkling small lakes, and horses grazing on grass. Because of this, the area has become popular not only for looking at the unusual beauty of the volcanoes but also for trekking.

Canoa Beach

Canoa Beach has its own character. First of all, it is just stunning: a huge stretch of sand almost 17 kilometers long, the longest in the country surrounded by huge cliffs. The waves can get pretty big, and surfers go there often. Canoa is one of the beaches in Ecuador with the least amount of development, so there aren't many hotels or restaurants right on the sand.

Local legend says that when foreign invaders got close to the beach, the people of Canoa ran to the hills, and the beach has been empty ever since. But this may be part of what makes Canoa so appealing. It is a rough but peaceful paradise where you can relax surrounded by nature's great power.

Islands Of The Galapagos

The most well-known group of islands in the world is the Galapagos Islands. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world is a great place to see beautiful animals and landscapes. Enjoy seeing giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, sea lions, sea turtles, and many more species.

The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago of 13 main islands and more than 100 smaller islands, islets, and rocks. They are about 620 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador. They are home to many native species, such as Galápagos Giant Tortoises, Galápagos Sea Lions, and Marine Iguanas.

Their environments range from lava fields to mangroves and cactus woods. From Quito or Guayaquil, it takes about two hours to get to the Galápagos. The best places to stay and eat are in Santa Cruz or San Cristóbal. The Galapagos Islands might be on your list of places to visit. So many culture Tour offers a five-day overland trip to the Galápagos Islands that includes stops in Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, and an uninhabited island.

Rainforest of the Amazon

Ecuador is the best place to take in the beauty of nature. In addition to the Galapagos Islands, it is home to the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador. No matter where you go in South America, you should make time to visit the Amazon Rainforest. Even though it isn't as big as the rainforests in Brazil or Peru, it is home to a lot of different plants and animals.

The best way to see the jungle is to start in Coca or Tena. It will take about 35 minutes to fly from Quito to Coca. From here, you can get on a boat or go on a river tour to find out where wildlife is most abundant. You will stop at the Napo River in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Yasuni National Park is where the other one is located.

But if you choose Tena, you'll have to drive at least four hours from the capital to get there. Even though there aren't as many kinds of animals as in other places. It has things to do like ziplining and rafting. If you want to get to the Amazon Rainforest quickly, this is the way to go.

Otavalo Market

The pretty village of Otavalo is in a valley surrounded by mountains. The town's main draw is its great market, which is one of the biggest in South America. Both locals and tourists go there to buy colorful rugs, blankets, sweaters, purses, and other wool items made by the indigenous Otavaleos people.

Other interesting things include one-of-a-kind jewelry made from tagua nuts, leather goods, Indigenous costumes, and a wide range of interesting food items. Some of the most interesting spices are those that are grown close to home. If you travel in June, be sure to go to the famous Inti Raymi (Sun Event) music festival. There, you can see and hear many local musicians playing their own instruments and making their own sounds.

Quito

At 2,800 meters (9,350 feet) above sea level, Quito is the world's highest capital city. It is the capital of Ecuador. This cosmopolitan city with 2 million people lives in the Andes and is close to an active volcano. Quito has one of the biggest and best-kept historic districts in all of South America.

It was founded in 1534, and it has had at least 20 Catholic churches from the time of the colonists. Even though the old town has been renovated a lot, it still has the same lively working-class and native culture that has always made it stand out. The government of Ecuador is based in the Carondolet Palace, which is in the historic district.

Sanctuary Of The Nambillo Waterfall

The Nambillo Waterfall Sanctuary, which is in Mindo's cloud forest, is a way to see the stunning beauty of Ecuador. In the Nambillo Ecological Reserve, you can ride a cable car that is open to the air. At almost 500 feet above the ground, the vehicle will move through the Reserve's tropical trees, giving you a look at the cloud forest ecosystem.

You can get to the entrance of the waterfall sanctuary on the cable car. The Nambilo waterfall is only a 15-minute walk away. It has beautiful views and a pool at the bottom where you can swim. You can go back to the cable car or keep going to the Reina waterfall, which is one of the most beautiful places in the sanctuary.

Riobamba

Riobamba is a great place to hike and climb in Ecuador. Riobamba is a good place to start hiking because it is close to the Chimborazo Volcano. Not only are the mountains beautiful, but there are also other fun things to do in the area.

The top of the huge Chimborazo Volcano is the highest point on Earth because of its height and equatorial bulge. It is the point on Earth's surface that is the farthest from the Earth's center. It is farther than Mount Everest. Only climbers with a lot of experience should try to get to the top of this volcano. Still, when they go to the Chimborazo Reserve, many people choose shorter hikes or mountain bike trips.

There are many interesting churches and museums with interesting stories in Riobamba. See examples of colonial architecture at the Santa Barbara Cathedral or the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Visit a park-like Parque Maldonado in Riobamba to see how people live now.

Cuenca

Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site with a lot of history and colonial architecture. It has 52 churches, one for each Sunday of the year. Cuenca was the second largest city in the Incan empire before the Spanish came. Before the Incas came to the city in 550 AD, it was home to the Caari.

In one of the many museums, you can look at both Incan and Caari artifacts and the remains of some Incan and Caari monuments. Cuenca is a must-see in Ecuador because of its beautiful history, laid-back atmosphere, and great food from all over the world.

Conclusion

We hope that our travel guide to Ecuador has given you some ideas for vacations and made you want to travel. Ecuador is a country that is worth seeing. Ecuador has a lovely culture. The scenery is like nothing else. Nature is very beautiful. There are a lot of interesting things to try in the food. Also, it is a country that gives a lot of money.