- Ecuador is small, so the Andes, cloud forest and Amazon fit into one trip
- The Galápagos is the highlight but adds significant cost: entry fee, flights and cruise or hotels
- The US dollar is the currency, so there is no exchange rate to work out
- Quito sits at about 2,850 metres; take the first day or two slowly
- Airports
- Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Guayaquil José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE), Galápagos Baltra (GPS) and San Cristóbal (SCY)
- Flight time
- about 14-16h with one stop from London to Quito
- Best time to go
- June-September in the Andes; December-May for warmer, calmer Galápagos seas
- Currency
- US dollar (US$)
Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America, but few places pack in so much. In a fortnight you can walk the colonial streets of Quito, hike around the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano, stay in an Amazon lodge and then fly out to the Galápagos Islands, where sea lions and giant tortoises barely notice you. It is one of our South America guides and a good choice if you want variety without endless travel days.
The Galápagos dominates most trips, and its costs can surprise people, so it is worth planning the mainland and the islands together. This guide covers where to go, when, flights from the UK and what Ecuador costs in 2026.
Where to go in Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands, around 1,000km off the coast, are a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife destination. You can explore on a small-ship cruise, which reaches the more remote islands, or island-hop from hotels on Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela. Most visitors spend between five and ten days.
Quito
Ecuador's capital has one of the best-preserved historic centres in Latin America, the first city listed by UNESCO alongside Kraków in 1978. Visit the gilded La Compañía church, ride the TelefériQo cable car up the slopes of Pichincha and stand on the equator at the Mitad del Mundo monument just outside the city.
The Avenue of the Volcanoes
South of Quito, the Pan-American Highway runs between lines of volcanoes. Cotopaxi National Park is the easiest to reach for walks around a perfect cone, the Quilotoa crater lake makes a stunning day hike, and spa town Baños is the base for waterfalls, canyoning and the famous "swing at the end of the world".
Cuenca and the south
Cuenca, a graceful colonial city of cobbled streets and blue-domed churches, is the place to see Panama hats being made (they are actually Ecuadorian). Nearby Cajas National Park has high moorland and lakes for hiking.
The Amazon and cloud forest
Ecuador's slice of the Amazon is accessible: lodges in the Cuyabeno reserve or along the Napo river are reached by a short flight or drive from Quito followed by a boat. Closer still, the cloud forest around Mindo, two hours from Quito, is excellent for birdwatching, with dozens of species of hummingbird.
Best time to visit Ecuador
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| June-September | Drier, sunnier weather in the Andes; cooler, choppier seas and more marine life in the Galápagos |
| October-November | Shoulder season; generally good for both mainland and islands |
| December-May | Wetter in the Andes; warm, calm seas and good snorkelling in the Galápagos |
| Amazon (all year) | Hot and humid with rain at any time; slightly drier from about December to March |
There is no bad time to visit the Galápagos, as different wildlife events happen throughout the year. Christmas, Easter and July-August are the busiest and most expensive periods.
Getting to Ecuador from the UK
There are no direct flights from the UK to Ecuador. The quickest routes are Iberia via Madrid, KLM via Amsterdam and US carriers via Miami, Houston or Atlanta, with Avianca and Copa via Bogotá and Panama City as alternatives. Allow about 14 to 16 hours to Quito or Guayaquil. Flights to the Galápagos leave from both cities, usually stopping in Guayaquil, and take around two hours from Guayaquil.
Entry requirements
British passport holders do not currently need a visa to visit Ecuador as tourists and are usually allowed up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. The Galápagos has extra rules: you must buy a transit control card before flying out to the islands and pay the national park entrance fee, which rose to US$200 for most foreign adults in 2024. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Ecuador before you book and again before you fly.
Getting around
Ecuador's main sights are close together. Buses are cheap and frequent, but many travellers hire a private driver or join tours for the volcano region. Domestic flights link Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca in under an hour. In the Galápagos, inter-island speedboats are cheap but the crossings can be rough; a cruise avoids them.
Money and costs
Ecuador uses the US dollar, so bring a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees and some small notes, as US$50 and US$100 notes are often refused. The mainland is good value: allow roughly £40-65 per person per day for mid-range travel. The Galápagos is a different matter. With the park fee, flights and accommodation, a land-based week often costs well over £1,500 per person, and good cruises cost considerably more. Restaurants usually add a 10 per cent service charge; guides and cruise crews expect tips.
Top attractions in Ecuador
Ecuador on the map
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need in Ecuador?
Ten days covers Quito, the volcano region and a short Amazon or cloud forest stay. Add five to eight days for the Galápagos.
Is a Galápagos cruise or land-based trip better?
Cruises reach more islands and sail between them at night, so you see more wildlife. Land-based trips are usually cheaper and better for people prone to seasickness, but you are limited to day trips from the inhabited islands.
Is Ecuador safe for tourists?
Crime has risen sharply in recent years, particularly in Guayaquil and some coastal provinces, and there have been states of emergency. Quito's tourist areas, the Andes and the Galápagos are generally visited without trouble, but check GOV.UK advice carefully before booking.
Will the altitude affect me in Quito?
Quito sits at about 2,850 metres, so many people feel breathless at first. Take it easy for a day or two, drink plenty of water and go light on alcohol before heading higher towards Cotopaxi.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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