Things to do in Ecuador

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Ecuador

Parque Seminario

5.9

5.0/5

18 reviews

Parque Seminariosits across the street from the neo-Gothic Guayaquil Metropolitan Cathedral. Its official name is Seminario Park, but locals prefer to call it "Iguana Park." It was formerly a colonial-era Plaza de Armas. In the late 19th century, it was renovated into a French-style garden with funding from the Seminario family. The iron fences, gazebos, benches, and vintage street lamps remain in use today, and an equestrian monument to Bolívar stands in the center. What truly makes this place famous are the hundreds of free-roaming green iguanas: they hang motionless on tree branches to bask in the sun, or simply sprawl out in the middle of the lawn. Accustomed to the crowds, they don't panic or hide even when you approach them. The park also features a pond with a small waterfall, where turtles often climb onto rocks to sunbathe. Although they are docile, human food is not suitable for them, so please refrain from touching or feeding them when observing them up close. After seeing the iguanas, the cathedral across the street and the nearby waterfront promenade are great places to continue your visit.

Ecuador · Guayaquil

Quito Old Town

5.8

3.7/5

11 reviews

Quito Old Town is the historic core of the capital of Ecuador, situated on a plateau in the Andes at an altitude of 2850 m. It was once a key northern stronghold of the Inca Empire. In the 16th century, the Spanish rebuilt Quito on the ruins of the old city, and most of the churches, monasteries, and plazas built over the following centuries remain today, blending Spanish, Italian, Moorish, and indigenous Andean art to form a unique "Quito Baroque" style. The highlights are highly concentrated within the streets and alleys. The Church and Convent of St. Francis sits on the site of an old Inca palace, its main altar is covered in gold leaf, its courtyards and cloisters unfold in layers, and it houses thousands of colonial-era artworks, marking the birthplace of the Quito School of art. The Baroque facade of the Church of the Society of Jesus is carved from volcanic rock, and its interior is extensively gilded, earning it the name "the Golden Church." For a panoramic view, you can climb El Panecillo hill next to the old town, where red-tiled roofs and church spires undulate across the valley, and on clear days, you can even see snow-capped volcanoes in the distance. The old town is at a high altitude, and the cobblestone streets are uneven, so first-time visitors should slow down and take their time to admire the carved doors, windows, and old balconies along the streets.

Carondelet Palace

5.7

3.0/5

11 reviews

Carondelet Palace, also known as the Carondelet Palace, is the seat of government in Ecuador, formerly the royal palace during the Spanish colonial period. Carondelet Palace’s facade stretching along the square is quite striking. A row of small shops with triangular pediments on the ground floor have been rented out for business since the colonial era, and souvenir shops still occupy them today. Climbing the steps, there is a colonnade supported by Doric columns, and the top-floor balcony faces the Independence Monument in the center of the square, where the president stands to greet the public during national celebrations. Inside, visitors can see portraits of past presidents and works by local artists in the Yellow Hall. The North Wing Banquet Hall sets the tone for state occasions with its precious wood floors, ceilings, and sets of antique furniture.

Ecuador · Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz Island

5.4

Santa Cruz Island is the island with the largest permanent population in the Galapagos Islands. Puerto Ayora in the south is one of the largest towns in the archipelago, where most hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies are concentrated, and most visitors use it as a base to arrange island-hopping itineraries. Sea lions, pelicans, and marine iguanas inhabit the bay year-round. Near the fish market pier, you can often see sea lions and pelicans waiting for fishermen to share their catch. When the weather clears, sea lions even climb onto the decks of anchored sailboats to bask in the sun. The island's attractions are clearly divided between the north and south, with vegetation zones changing gradually from the dry coast to the humid highlands. In the area around Puerto Ayora in the south, walking along the trail from the port to Tortuga Bay, you will find expansive white sand beaches where groups of marine iguanas bask on the rocks, and flamingos are occasionally spotted in the saltwater lagoon behind the mangroves. The Charles Darwin Research Station is located right on the edge of town, where you can see giant tortoises of all ages, from hatchlings to adults, in the conservation exhibits. The highlands offer a different world: on the grasslands around El Chato Ranch, wild giant tortoises roam leisurely between mud pits and pastures. Nearby lava tunnels are underground passages left behind by ancient lava flows, which you can walk through to experience firsthand. The Twin Craters by the road were formed by volcanic collapse, and the deep craters are surrounded by Scalesia forests unique to the highlands. This island has no active volcanoes, but the traces of volcanic activity are present in the form of geological features like lava tunnels and sinkholes.

Middle of the World

5.3

3.5/5

36 reviews

Middle of the World stands in the San Antonio area, and locals call it "Mitad del Mundo," meaning "Middle of the World". The country name "Ecuador" in Spanish literally means "equator". In 1736, the French Academy of Sciences sent a geodetic surveying team here to measure the meridian arc and calculate the Earth's shape. To commemorate that scientific expedition, Ecuador erected an old monument approx. 10m high in 1936. The old monument was later moved intact to the town of Calacalí a few kilometers away. The 30m-tall pyramidal monument you see today was built in 1982, following the old monument's design but on a much larger scale. The monument's structure is iron and concrete, clad in cut and polished andesite. Its four faces are aligned with east, south, west, and north, each marked with the corresponding Spanish letter for the direction and inscriptions honoring the French and Spanish scientists of the expedition. Atop the monument sits a metal globe approx. 4.5m in diameter, with the continents shown in relief and a metal band encircling it at the equator. The globe's axis is aligned with the Earth's axis. Inside the monument is a small ethnographic museum displaying the traditional dress and daily life of Ecuador's various ethnic groups. An elevator takes visitors up to an observation deck on the monument's top, offering views of the whole site and the distant Andean valley. Busts of the expedition's scientists line both sides of the avenue from the entrance to the monument. A yellow marker line runs straight from the center of the front steps across the plaza, dividing the ground into two — standing with one foot on each side to take a photo with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern is a common activity here. Around the spring and fall equinoxes, at noon the sun is nearly overhead and shadows almost disappear. On weekends the plaza often features music and dance performances. Interestingly, modern GPS measurements show that the true equator is actually a little over 200m north of the marker, so the line is more symbolic.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Pichincha

Basílica del Voto Nacional

5.2

4.0/5

57 reviews

Basílica del Voto Nacional is located on the north side of Quito Old Town and is one of the largest Neo-Gothic churches in the Americas. It originated from the "National Vow" of 1883, when Ecuador consecrated the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Construction began in 1892, and after approx. a century, it was consecrated in 1988. Its twin towers are 115 m high and can be seen by looking up from many streets in the old town. The details of this basilica that are particularly worth noting are hidden on the walls and towers: the gargoyles commonly used in European Gothic churches have been replaced here by native Ecuadorian animals such as armadillos, pumas, iguanas, sea turtles, and blue-footed boobies, and a sculpture of the Andean condor, a national symbol, stands atop the tower. The crypt also houses the National Pantheon of Ecuador, where several former leaders are laid to rest. Climbing the tower is the highlight of a visit here: follow the stairs all the way up, first crossing the wooden bridge suspended above the nave, then continuing through the bell tower to the Condor Tower, where you can take in the panoramic view of the old town's rolling red-tiled roofs, the statue of the Virgin on El Panecillo hill, and the distant Pichincha Volcano. The second half of the climb consists mainly of steep stairs and wooden ladders. Visitors with a fear of heights should assess their own abilities, as stopping at the bell tower also offers a wide, open view.

Ecuador · Santa Cruz Island

Parque Nacional Galápagos

5.1

4.0/5

1 reviews

Parque Nacional Galápagos is located in the Galapagos Islands and was established in 1959, the centenary of the publication of *On the Origin of Species*, protecting approx. 97% of the archipelago's land area. In 1835, Darwin stayed here for approx. 5 weeks aboard the HMS Beagle; the endemic species on the islands inspired his later theory of natural selection, making this place a natural laboratory for studying biological evolution. The park's landscape is shaped by continuous volcanic activity, with lava fields, craters, highland cloud forests, and sandy cliffs unfolding at different altitudes, each nurturing distinct flora and fauna communities. Giant tortoises are the symbol of the archipelago, with some individuals living over 100 years; marine iguanas bask in groups on the rocks, heading into the sea to graze on algae when hungry; blue-footed boobies are famous for their striking blue feet and courtship dances; you can also see flightless cormorants with vestigial wings, penguins living in equatorial waters, and various small birds known as Darwin's finches. Snorkeling is available at some locations, offering the chance to encounter sea lions and sea turtles. It is advisable to confirm the islands covered in your itinerary before departure, as the animal species visible vary significantly from island to island.

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Ecuador

Malecon 2000

4.8

4.8/5

39 reviews

Located in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the Malecon 2000 Riverwalk is a modern urban trail that runs along the Guayas River, blending natural landscapes with urban culture. The trail is approximately 2.5 kilometers long and is beautifully designed for walking, jogging, and cycling. There are several landscaped areas along the way, including gardens, fountains, and sculptures, which provide visitors with a rich visual experience. The trail has several important cultural and historical attractions, making it suitable for family tourists and cultural enthusiasts. There are also many restaurants and cafes on both sides of the trail, serving local cuisine and international dishes, making it an ideal place to relax. Visitors can wear comfortable shoes to walk for long periods of time on the trail. The trail has complete safety facilities and is suitable for visitors of all ages. The scenery during the day and at night is unique, and the light show at night is particularly worth seeing. There are public transportation stops near the trail for easy access.

Ecuador · Guayaquil

Parque La Carolina

4.6

3.4/5

15 reviews

Located in the heart of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, Carolina Park is a popular urban green space suitable for all kinds of outdoor activities. The park covers a large area and has many trails suitable for walking, jogging and cycling. For family tourists, there is a dedicated children's play area and an artificial lake in the park, where visitors can rent boats and enjoy the fun of water activities. The park also has several sports venues, including football fields, basketball courts and tennis courts, which attract many sports enthusiasts. On weekends, the park often hosts various cultural activities and markets, providing tourists with a rich entertainment experience. The botanical garden in Carolina Park is another highlight, displaying a variety of local and exotic plants, suitable for plant lovers and photography enthusiasts to visit. The park is easily accessible and there are many bus routes nearby, making it convenient for tourists to go to other attractions in Quito.

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