Why visit Ecuador?
If you like nature and experiencing wildlife up close, there is no place like the Galapagos and the Ecuadorian Amazon. If you enjoy hiking, Quito, Cotopaxi, and Quilotoa are all great bases to launch yourself into the mountains. And if you appreciate photogenic places, Cuenca and Banos offer you the best options for that.
Have you ever browsed through Instagram and found a photo of a person swinging on the treehouse off the edge of the cliff, overlooking a volcano? Do you want one of those photos for yourself? Well, you're in luck because all those photos were taken at Casa del Árbol in Baños, Ecuador! If this photo doesn't make you want to visit Ecuador, I don't know what will!
When to Visit Ecuador?
The weather in Ecuador generally varies depending on the area. The higher the altitude, the colder and more unpredictable it is. June to September is the warmest and driest period in the mountains, whereas May to November is quite cool in the south and on the coast. Galapagos is good all year round, whereas the Amazon will always be humid and warmer than other places.
I was there in October, and the weather was perfectly fine, with a relatively small number of cloudy days in the mountains.
How to Get to Ecuador?
The best way to get here is to fly into Quito if you are coming from abroad. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from where you live to Quito that best fits your itinerary. If you are already in Colombia, you can simply cross the border from the north with a shared taxi from Ipiales to Quito and traverse from north to south as suggested in the itinerary.
How To Get Around Ecuador?
Ecuador is a small country, so traveling around it is not much of a headache. Although buses can be quite old, with great roads, getting from one place to another is relatively easy and painless. When it comes to long distances, you have many buses to choose from at the bus terminals in Quito. Be sure to check your destination and get to the right terminal. There are 2 terminals, Terminal Quitumbe, which serves the southern route, and Terminal Carcelén, which serves the northern route.
For traveling around in Quito, if you are located in the old town part, walking around is the easiest option. If you are a little further from the center, local bus systems like El Trole, Metrobus, and Ecovia can get you to many places for as cheap as 0.25 USD.
For Galapagos, the only option is to fly from either Quito or Guayaquil (cheaper) with LATAM for US$351 round trip. Getting around the remote islands can only be done through private last-minute cruises that range from $600 USD for 3 days to $1100 USD for 6 days. You can do them independently, but only to a populated area, and the boat costs around $200 USD for round trip.
My recommendation is to go to the island and walk around the streets to find a last-minute cruise that works for your schedule. This way, you get access to places you won't be able to if you do it independently, and it costs the same. DO NOT book your cruise abroad as it could cost you an additional 2000 USD!
Which tourist SIM card is best for Ecuador?
Claro serves me well as a SIM card with reliable internet access that can be easily recharged at any shop displaying the Claro logo. However, the coverage can be quite difficult to find in places like Galapagos and Mindo where there are no better alternatives. For more information, read more here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Daily Budget
This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Ecuador?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Ecuador:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
