{"id":1306049,"date":"2026-10-07T16:30:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T16:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306049"},"modified":"2026-10-12T14:00:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:00:25","slug":"ecuador","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecuador"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1302047,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-country","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"Ecuador country guide","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"Things to do in Ecuador","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"The smallest Andean country, with volcanoes, Amazon, Pacific coast and the Gal\u00e1pagos, all within a day of each other. Uses the US dollar, which removes one problem entirely.","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"1307727","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"medium","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"Pick a place | #cities\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_country_stats":"\u20ac9 | Dorm bed, from\r\n$ | US dollars, since 2000\r\n\u20ac3 | An almuerzo lunch\r\n6,263m | Chimborazo","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"Everything, compressed","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"Ecuador is the size of the UK and holds the Andes, the Amazon, a Pacific coast and the Gal\u00e1pagos. You can be in a cloud forest in the morning and a colonial capital by evening, which is the whole argument for coming.\r\n\r\nQuito sits at 2,850 metres with a UNESCO old town that is the best preserved in the Americas, and the Avenue of the Volcanoes runs south from it past Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. Ba\u00f1os is the adventure town \u2014 waterfalls, canyoning, a swing over a gorge \u2014 and Cuenca in the south is a smaller, prettier colonial city.\r\n\r\nThe Gal\u00e1pagos are 1,000km offshore and a separate financial proposition entirely: flights, a park fee and either a cruise or island-hopping from land, which is the affordable version.\r\n\r\nTwo weeks covers the mainland. Add a week and a significant budget for the islands.","hw_hub_country_facts":"Language | Spanish, plus Kichwa in the highlands. English is limited\r\nCurrency | US dollar, since 2000. Bring small notes\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Not drinkable. Bottled or purified\r\nTipping | 10% is often included on the bill\r\nAltitude | Quito is 2,850m. Take it slowly for a day or two\r\nHow long to stay | Two weeks for the mainland, three with Gal\u00e1pagos\r\nBest months | June to September in the highlands","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"Where to go","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"Buses are cheap and reach everywhere. The Gal\u00e1pagos need a flight from Quito or Guayaquil.","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"1","hw_hub_country_cities":"Quito | At 2,850 metres, with the best-preserved colonial old town in the Americas and volcanoes around it. |  | 1306078 | Quito is an amazing city and a must visit. So much to see, do, and experience. | \nBa\u00f1os | The adventure town: waterfalls, canyoning, hot springs and a swing over a canyon. |  | 1306079 | Banos is truly a must-visit. The most stunning and breathtaking waterfalls, beautiful hikes, fun adventure sports, incredible food, a cool downtown to explore, etc. | \nCuenca | A smaller colonial city in the south, with a large expat population and a gentler pace. |  | 1306080 | I'm surprised more people don't choose Cuenca, it was a lovely city with great weather, good food, history and access to nearby sites with more history and natural beauty. | \nGal\u00e1pagos Islands | Wildlife that has no fear of people, 1,000km offshore. A separate trip and budget. |  | 1306081 | One of the nicest places in the world to visit. A nice balance of feeling safe and relaxed, and excitement from seeing all of the animals. | \nLatacunga | The base for the Quilotoa Loop and Cotopaxi: crater lakes, highland villages and a volcano refuge. |  | 1306241 |  | ","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"What kind of trip is this?","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"Ecuador packs four landscapes into a small country, and the Gal\u00e1pagos sit outside all of them.","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"Adventure | green | backpack | Volcanoes, cloud forest and the Amazon, all close together. | Climb Cotopaxi with a guide; Canyoning in Ba\u00f1os; Cycle the waterfall route | Cotopaxi; Quilotoa; Ba\u00f1os | Ba\u00f1os; Quito | adventure\nCulture | purple | culture | The best colonial old town in the Americas, and living indigenous markets. | Quito's old town on foot; Otavalo market on a Saturday; Cuenca's cathedrals | Quito old town; Otavalo; Cuenca | Quito; Cuenca | culture\nBeach | sunset | sunglasses | A Pacific coast with surf, and whales in season. | Surf at Monta\u00f1ita; Whale watching at Puerto L\u00f3pez; Beach days at Canoa | Monta\u00f1ita; Puerto L\u00f3pez; Canoa | Monta\u00f1ita | beach\nBudget | teal | coin | One of the cheapest countries on the continent. | Almuerzo lunches for \u20ac3; \u20ac9 dorms; Buses that cost a euro an hour | Quito; Ba\u00f1os; Cuenca | Quito; Cuenca | budget-travel\nFood | sunset | local-markets | Set lunches, ceviche and more fruit than you can name. | An almuerzo with soup and juice; Coastal ceviche; Fresh juice from a market stall | Quito markets; Cuenca; Coastal towns | Quito; Cuenca | food\nCity break | blue | city | Quito over three days, at altitude. | Walk the old town; The Telef\u00e9riQo cable car; La Ronda in the evening | Quito old town; La Mariscal; Cuenca centre | Quito; Cuenca | city-break","hw_hub_country_do_title":"Things to do in Ecuador","hw_hub_country_do_body":"Quito's old town is UNESCO-listed and the best preserved in the Americas \u2014 churches, plazas and painted facades over about thirty blocks \u2014 and the Telef\u00e9riQo cable car climbs to 4,000 metres above the city for the volcano view.\r\n\r\nThe Quilotoa loop is the classic highland walk: three or four days between villages with homestays, ending at a crater lake of startling green. It needs no guide and costs very little.\r\n\r\nBa\u00f1os is the adventure hub, with the Casa del \u00c1rbol swing over a gorge, canyoning, and a cycle route past waterfalls. Otavalo's Saturday market is the largest indigenous market in South America.\r\n\r\nThe Gal\u00e1pagos can be done from land \u2014 flying to Santa Cruz or San Crist\u00f3bal and taking day trips \u2014 for a fraction of a cruise, though the best sites still require boats.","hw_hub_country_do_points":"Quito old town | UNESCO-listed and the best preserved in the Americas\r\nQuilotoa loop | Three or four days between villages, no guide needed\r\nOtavalo | The largest indigenous market in South America. Saturdays\r\nGal\u00e1pagos from land | Far cheaper than a cruise, with day trips from Santa Cruz","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_country_do_more":"All things to do in Ecuador","hw_hub_country_food_title":"Eating in Ecuador","hw_hub_country_food_body":"The almuerzo is the everyday meal: soup, a main with rice, and a fresh juice for \u20ac2.50 to \u20ac4 at lunch, everywhere in the country. It is one of the best value meals in South America.\r\n\r\nOn the coast, ceviche is served with popcorn and plantain chips and is different from the Peruvian version. Encebollado, a fish soup, is the national hangover cure.\r\n\r\nIn the highlands, hornado is slow-roasted pork, locro de papa is a potato and cheese soup, and cuy is traditional. Fruit is extraordinary and cheap \u2014 naranjilla, tomate de \u00e1rbol, taxo and a dozen others appear as juices for under a euro. Chocolate is a serious Ecuadorian product and worth bringing home.","hw_hub_country_food_points":"Almuerzo | \u20ac2.50\u20134 for soup, a main and juice. Lunch only\r\nEncebollado | Fish soup, and the national hangover cure\r\nFruit juices | Under a euro, and most have no English name\r\nChocolate | Ecuador grows some of the best cacao in the world","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_country_food_more":"All food guides for Ecuador","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"Going out in Ecuador","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"Quito's nightlife is in La Mariscal, sometimes called Gringolandia, and in the smarter La Floresta. La Mariscal has had safety problems in recent years and is best approached with the usual caution and a taxi home.\r\n\r\nBa\u00f1os and Monta\u00f1ita are the backpacker party towns \u2014 Monta\u00f1ita in particular is a beach town built around it, busy at weekends and in high season.\r\n\r\nCuenca has a gentler scene around the river. Beer is \u20ac1.50 to \u20ac3, canelazo, a hot sugarcane and cinnamon drink, is the highland speciality on cold nights, and altitude in Quito makes drinking hit harder than expected.","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"La Mariscal | Quito's nightlife district. Take a taxi home rather than walking\r\nMonta\u00f1ita | A beach town built around partying. Busiest at weekends\r\nCanelazo | Hot sugarcane spirit with cinnamon. The highland night drink\r\nAltitude | Quito is 2,850m and alcohol hits harder. Pace the first night","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Ecuador","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"Getting around Ecuador","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"Buses are the network and they are very cheap \u2014 roughly a dollar an hour, so Quito to Ba\u00f1os is about \u20ac4 for three and a half hours. They go everywhere, frequently, and the country is small enough that nothing takes a full day.\r\n\r\nQuito to Cuenca is the longest common leg at eight to ten hours, and there are flights for \u20ac40 to \u20ac80 if you would rather not.\r\n\r\nThe Gal\u00e1pagos require a flight from Quito or Guayaquil at \u20ac300 to \u20ac500 return, plus the park entrance fee and a transit control card. Between the islands, ferries take two hours and are notoriously rough.\r\n\r\nIn cities, use Uber or Cabify in Quito and Guayaquil rather than street taxis.","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"Buses | About a euro an hour. Quito to Ba\u00f1os is \u20ac4\r\nGal\u00e1pagos flights | \u20ac300\u2013500 return from Quito or Guayaquil\r\nPark fees | Gal\u00e1pagos entrance fee and transit card are separate and substantial\r\nApps in cities | Uber and Cabify rather than street taxis","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"All transport guides for Ecuador","hw_hub_country_money_title":"What Ecuador costs","hw_hub_country_money_body":"Mainland Ecuador is one of the cheapest countries on the continent. Dorms start around \u20ac9, an almuerzo is \u20ac2.50 to \u20ac4, buses cost about a euro an hour, and a day comes to \u20ac25 to \u20ac35.\r\n\r\nThe Gal\u00e1pagos are a different country financially. Flights are \u20ac300 to \u20ac500 return, the national park entrance fee was raised substantially in 2024, and even island-hopping from land runs \u20ac80 to \u20ac150 a day. A cruise is several thousand.\r\n\r\nEcuador uses the US dollar, which removes exchange headaches entirely. Bring small notes \u2014 anything above a twenty is difficult to break outside cities, and worn or torn notes are often refused.","hw_hub_country_money_points":"Dorm bed | From \u20ac9 on the mainland\r\nA day, all in | \u20ac25\u201335 on the mainland\r\nGal\u00e1pagos | \u20ac80\u2013150 a day land-based, plus \u20ac300\u2013500 flights and park fees\r\nSmall notes | Bring them. Large or damaged bills are often refused","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_country_money_more":"All budget guides for Ecuador","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"Staying safe in Ecuador","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"Ecuador's security situation deteriorated significantly from 2023, with a sharp rise in violent crime linked to drug trafficking, particularly in coastal cities. Guayaquil, Esmeraldas, Manta and Dur\u00e1n have been most affected, and several governments have updated their travel advice accordingly.\r\n\r\nThis is worth taking seriously rather than dismissing. Check your own government's current advice before booking, particularly for the coast and the northern border with Colombia.\r\n\r\nThe highland tourist route \u2014 Quito, Ba\u00f1os, Cuenca, Otavalo, the Quilotoa loop \u2014 and the Gal\u00e1pagos have been far less affected, and travellers continue to use them. The usual precautions matter more than they did: phones out of sight, ride apps rather than street taxis, and no walking at night in city centres.\r\n\r\nAltitude in Quito and on the volcanoes is the other consideration.","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"Check current advice | Security deteriorated from 2023. Several governments updated guidance\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nCoastal cities | Guayaquil, Esmeraldas and Manta most affected. Highlands far less so\r\nRide apps | Uber or Cabify rather than street taxis, especially at night","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"All safety guides for Ecuador","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"Entry and documents","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"Most European, UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens enter visa-free for 90 days per year.\r\n\r\nPassports need six months' validity, and proof of onward travel and travel insurance can be requested \u2014 Ecuador has at times required insurance formally for tourists, so check the current position.\r\n\r\nFor the Gal\u00e1pagos, there are two separate charges: a transit control card bought at the mainland airport and the national park entrance fee paid on arrival in the islands, which was increased substantially in 2024. Both are cash and both are compulsory.","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"Visa-free | 90 days per calendar year for most Western nationalities\r\nInsurance | Has been formally required at times. Check the current rule\r\nGal\u00e1pagos fees | Transit card plus a park fee, both compulsory and paid in cash\r\nPassport validity | Six months","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"travel-tips","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"All travel tips for Ecuador","hw_hub_country_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"On the equator, so altitude decides temperature and the seasons are about rain. June to September is driest in the highlands; the coast reverses it.","hw_hub_country_season_note":"Average highs for Quito, which barely changes all year because it sits on the equator at 2,850m \u2014 it is spring-like daily with cold nights. The coast is hot year-round, and the Gal\u00e1pagos have warm wet and cool dry seasons with different wildlife in each.","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"January | 19 | 3 | Wet in the highlands, hot and sunny on the coast\r\nFebruary | 19 | 3 | Carnival, and coastal high season\r\nMarch | 19 | 2 | Wettest month in the Andes\r\nApril | 19 | 2 | Still wet inland. Green and quiet\r\nMay | 19 | 3 | Rain easing in the highlands\r\nJune | 19 | 5 | Dry season starts in the Andes. Excellent\r\nJuly | 19 | 5 | The best month for highland trekking and volcanoes\r\nAugust | 19 | 5 | Dry, clear and windy. Peak highland season\r\nSeptember | 19 | 4 | Still good. Whale season ending on the coast\r\nOctober | 19 | 3 | Rain returning to the Andes\r\nNovember | 19 | 3 | Wet inland, coast warming up\r\nDecember | 19 | 3 | Wet in the highlands, coastal season beginning","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"Pick how you travel and how long for. Per night, for one person, on the mainland. Gal\u00e1pagos costs several times this.","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"The Gal\u00e1pagos run \u20ac80\u2013150 a day land-based, before \u20ac300\u2013500 flights and the park entrance fee. Budget for the islands entirely separately.","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 9 | 8 | 3 | 5\r\nMiddle of the road | 16 | 15 | 6 | 14\r\nComfortable | 28 | 28 | 12 | 28","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_country_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"Otavalo's Saturday market runs every week and is worth planning a weekend around.","hw_hub_country_events_source":"api","hw_hub_country_events_country":"ecuador","hw_hub_country_events_count":"8","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"All events in Ecuador","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/south-america\/ecuador\/","hw_hub_country_events":"Otavalo market | Every Saturday | Otavalo | The largest indigenous market in South America, running for centuries. Two hours from Quito. |  | \nInti Raymi | June | Otavalo \u00b7 northern highlands | The Andean sun festival, with music, dancing and ritual bathing. |  | \nCarnaval | February | Nationwide, wildest in Ambato | Water and foam fights everywhere, and a fruit and flower festival in Ambato. |  | \nWhale season | June to September | Puerto L\u00f3pez | Humpbacks breeding off the Pacific coast. |  | \nQuito Foundation Day | December | Quito | A week of bullfights, music and street celebration in the capital. |  | \nGal\u00e1pagos seasons | Year-round | Gal\u00e1pagos | Different wildlife in the warm wet season and the cool dry season. Neither is better |  | ","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"Where to stay in Ecuador","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in the country, live from Hostelworld. Quito and Ba\u00f1os have the most, and Gal\u00e1pagos options are limited and pricier.","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Ecuador","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/ecuador\/","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"country","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"62","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"EUR","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"Ecuador travel questions","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_country_faqs":"Is Ecuador safe to visit? | The security situation deteriorated significantly from 2023, with violent crime rising in coastal cities including Guayaquil, Esmeraldas and Manta, and several governments updated their advice. The highland tourist route and the Gal\u00e1pagos have been far less affected. Check your own government's current advice before booking.\r\nCan I do the Gal\u00e1pagos on a budget? | Land-based island hopping is far cheaper than a cruise \u2014 stay on Santa Cruz or San Crist\u00f3bal and take day trips for \u20ac80 to \u20ac150 a day, against several thousand for a cruise. Flights are \u20ac300 to \u20ac500 return and park fees are separate and compulsory.\r\nHow long do you need in Ecuador? | Two weeks covers the mainland: Quito, the Quilotoa loop, Ba\u00f1os, Cuenca and a stretch of coast. Add a week and a significant budget if you want the Gal\u00e1pagos.\r\nIs Ecuador cheap? | The mainland is among the cheapest on the continent \u2014 dorms from \u20ac9, an almuerzo lunch at \u20ac2.50 to \u20ac4, buses at about a euro an hour, and a day around \u20ac25 to \u20ac35. The Gal\u00e1pagos are a different financial proposition entirely.\r\nDoes Ecuador use the dollar? | Yes, since 2000, which removes exchange headaches. Bring small notes \u2014 anything above a twenty is hard to break outside cities, and worn or torn bills are frequently refused.\r\nWhat is the Quilotoa loop? | A three or four day walk between highland villages with family homestays, ending at a crater lake of striking green. No guide is needed and it costs very little, which makes it one of the best value treks in South America.\r\nWhen should I visit? | June to September for the highlands, when it is driest and clearest for volcanoes and trekking. The coast runs opposite, with its best weather from December to April, and whales off Puerto L\u00f3pez from June to September.","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"Compare hostels across Ecuador \u2014 live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Ecuador | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/ecuador\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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