Things to do in Ecuador
Day Trips from Quito21 optionsQuito City Tour10 optionsQuito Walking Tour20 optionsCuenca City Tour5 optionsCotopaxi Volcano Tours9 optionsQuito Airport Taxi12 optionsCotopaxi National Park Tours23 optionsExtreme Sports17 optionsMindo Cloud Forest Tours6 optionsWhite Water Rafting7 optionsQuito Volcano Hike12 options
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Guayaquil City Tour & Chocolate Farm: Private Day Trip with LunchA private day trip from Guayaquil combines the city's waterfront and colonial neighborhoods with a hands-on visit to a family-run cacao farm. You explore the Malecón 2000 and Las Peñas—a hillside district of colorful houses—then ride a cable car across the Guayas River to a local farm where you learn to grow, skin, roast and grind cacao beans into chocolate. Lunch, made with cacao, is served at the farm. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours with private transportation, an English-speaking guide and hotel pickup included.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a private day that mixes city exploration with a working farm experience—the cable car and the cacao farm are the parts most travelers don't arrange on their own, and the family farm keeps the group small and personal.
Cotopaxi National Park Private Tour from Quito with GuideA private tour of Cotopaxi National Park departing from Quito with a certified local guide, 4x4 vehicle, and hotel pickup. You travel the Pan-American Highway to the park entrance, then ascend to José Rivas Refuge at 4,800 meters for glacier views, walk the high-altitude páramo around Limpiopungo Lagoon, and visit the Interpretation Center to learn the park's geology and wildlife. The guide is required inside the protected areas and included in the price. Choose your group size at checkout: 1–6 travelers, 1–3 travelers, or 1–2 travelers.Is it for me?Book the 1–2 traveler option if you want the guide's full attention on the high-altitude sections and the most flexibility to pause at the glacier views. The larger groups (1–3 or 1–6) work well if you are traveling with family or friends and want to share the cost while keeping the day private from other bookings.
Cotopaxi Volcano tour from Quito: Private hike with lunchA private full-day tour from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park with a professional guide, hotel pickup and traditional lunch included. You hike the Limpiopungo Lagoon trail, trek to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,864 meters on the Cotopaxi Volcano slopes, and visit the park's Interpretation Center. The tour runs in English or Spanish and suits all fitness levels; children from age 3 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to explore Cotopaxi without coordinating transport or timing around other groups. The private guide adjusts the pace to your comfort, which is why it works for first-time hikers and families with children—the day moves at your rhythm, not a schedule.
Cotopaxi National Park and Inca Ruins Day Trip from QuitoA private day trip from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park combines hiking through high-altitude ecosystems around Ecuador's second-most-visited national park with a visit to San Agustin de Callo, a colonial hacienda built over Inca structures where you eat lunch inside an Inca temple. A certified bilingual guide leads the day, hotel pickup is included, and you return by mid-afternoon.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you speak English or Spanish and want a guide who can explain the park's ecology and the hacienda's history in real time. The private format and bilingual guide mean you move at your own pace and get commentary tailored to what you're seeing, rather than following a fixed group schedule.
Cuenca to Yunguilla: Birdwatching Day Tour & Cloud ForestsYou’ll set out from Cuenca into Azuay’s cloud forests with a local guide who knows every call and feather. Spot dozens of birds — maybe even some southern endemics — pause for fresh juice in Yunguilla, then wander Jocotoco Reserve’s trails before lunch under the canopy. Expect muddy shoes and moments that linger long after you’re home.
Papallacta Hot Springs day trip from Quito: Hike and soakA private day trip from Quito to Papallacta Hot Springs combines a morning drive through the Eastern Cordillera to the resort, a short hike through mountain forest, and afternoon time in the thermal pools and spa area. The driver-guide speaks English or Spanish; hotel pickup is included. Entrance fees and lunch are separate.Is it for me?The day involves a high-altitude drive and optional hiking, so it suits travelers comfortable with mountain roads and some walking. The private format means you set the balance between activity and relaxation — more time on the trail or more time soaking, depending on what you want that day.
Otavalo Market Day Trip: Indigenous Crafts & Leather GoodsA private day trip from Quito to Otavalo, Ecuador's most famous indigenous market, where you browse handmade textiles, ceramics, leather and metalwork at Plaza de los Ponchos. The route includes a stop in Cayambe for local salt biscuits, a view of Imabura Volcano across a mountain lake, and a final hour in Cotacachi, a town known for leather jackets and bags. A local guide in English or Spanish travels with you; pickup from your Quito hotel and a bottle of water are included. The full day runs 7 to 8 hours.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose based on which language you're comfortable following for commentary on the route and the market itself. This tour suits anyone who wants to browse and buy at their own pace without the pressure of a group schedule—you move through the stalls as slowly or quickly as you want, and the driver waits.
Quito: Cotopaxi, Quilotoa & Amazon 4-Day PassYou depart Quito early morning, hike Cotopaxi volcano and explore the turquoise Quilotoa crater lake on day one, then settle into Baños for two free days of optional adventures — jungle tours, animal sanctuaries, or simply unwinding. On the return, you canoe the Amazon, make chocolate in a Kichwa community, and soak in Papallacta's natural hot springs before arriving back in Quito by evening. Transport, guide, and park entry are included; meals and optional add-ons are separate.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Ecuador's volcanoes, crater lakes, and Amazon in one trip without arranging transport, park tickets, or timing yourself — the fixed four-day loop and certified guide handle all of that, leaving your two free days in Baños to either rest or explore on your own terms.
Quito Airport Transfer: Private Car & Hotel Pickup 24/7You land, your driver is waiting with your name on a sign, and you're in a comfortable vehicle heading to your hotel without arranging anything else. The car type adjusts to your group size, baby seats are free, and the fixed price means no surprises. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the service runs 24 hours a day.Is it for me?Right choice if you land in Quito without a car and want to avoid the taxi negotiation at arrivals. The driver meets you with your name, the price is fixed beforehand, and the vehicle is ready for however many people you're traveling with.
Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip: Private Hummingbird TourA private day trip from Quito to Mindo cloud forest with an English-speaking driver-guide, taking in a hummingbird sanctuary, butterfly garden with 1,200 species, and an artisan chocolate factory where you see cacao processed from bean to bar. Hotel pickup and private transportation are included; the drive takes 2 hours each way. Entrance fees to attractions and lunch are available to add at checkout.Is it for me?Book this private tour if you want the cloud forest and its wildlife without sharing the vehicle or guide—the driver is yours alone for the day, and the pace stays flexible around what interests you most.
Ziplining in Baños from Quito: Waterfalls and adventureA full-day adventure trip from Quito to Baños combines waterfall visits with hands-on activities: canopy lines, a glass bridge walk, and a cable car ride above Bride's Veil Waterfall. An experienced bilingual guide leads small groups through the Pastaza valley, a region between two national parks with spring-like weather year-round. Hotel pickup from Quito is included, and children from age 12 are welcome.Is it for me?Small groups mean you move at a steady pace without waiting between activities, which suits travelers who want to try multiple things in one day without feeling rushed. The 12-hour commitment and moderate fitness requirement fit people who are comfortable walking, climbing and spending time outdoors, but not looking for a hardcore technical challenge.
Baños waterfalls day trip from Quito: Private tour with guideA full-day private tour from Quito to Baños de Agua Santa includes hotel pickup, a national guide in English, Spanish or French, three waterfalls (Agoyan, Manto de la Novia and Pailón del Diablo), the Swing at the End of the World, and the Tree House. The drive crosses the Avenue of the Volcanoes with stops for photos and a local breakfast in Lasso village; the hike to Pailón del Diablo takes one hour down and back. Lunch, gratuities and optional adventure activities (zipline, crystal bridge crossing, Tarzan jumping) are separate.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a private day with a guide who knows the region and can stop for photos and stories along the way — the fixed itinerary holds the waterfalls, the Swing at the End of the World and the Tree House inside a single day without you arranging transport or timing yourself.
Nueva Loja: Limoncocha Lagoon & Firefly Sanctuary TourYou start with cultural stops in Nueva Loja and a glass bridge over the Aguarico River, then travel by air-conditioned vehicle and boat to Limoncocha Lagoon for black alligator spotting and Ecuador's only firefly sanctuary. The tour includes a local guide, dinner, and all transport, so you show up and the day unfolds without logistics getting in the way.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Ecuador's firefly sanctuary and black alligators without assembling the day yourself — the fixed itinerary and included transport mean you arrive and the experience unfolds in sequence, from city to lagoon to dinner.
Cotopaxi National Park Private Tour: Volcano & Rose PlantationA private full-day tour from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park with a bilingual certified guide, hotel pickup and drop-off. You visit the interpretation center to learn about the world's highest active volcano, walk Limpiopungo Lagoon to spot birds and plants adapted to cold climates, and tour a rose plantation to see how Ecuador's export flowers are grown. The tour runs seven hours and operates in all weather.Is it for me?Book this private tour if you want a guide who speaks your language and a schedule built around your hotel location — the bilingual guide and dedicated transportation mean the day stays on your pace without coordinating with other travelers.
Baños: 350m Zip Line Over Canyon & Harness IncludedYou cross a cable car to the launch platform, get harnessed and helmeted, then zip 350 meters across the canyon in your choice of position — seated or horizontal, solo or with a partner. The ride takes around five minutes, and certified safety gear is included. Baños's natural setting means you're zipping over actual terrain, not a cleared park.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a straightforward adrenaline activity in Baños without a full-day commitment — the zip line itself is quick, the safety gear is certified and included, and you're not signing up for a guided tour with multiple stops.
Quito Airport Transfer: Hotel Pickup & Drop-off PrivateYou get a named driver waiting at arrivals with a sign, a fixed price that covers fuel and airport fees, and transport in a private vehicle to or from your Quito hotel. The driver handles luggage help and can answer questions about the city. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available, and the service operates around the clock every day of the year.Is it for me?Right choice if you land in Quito without a car and want to skip the taxi negotiation at the curb—the driver meets you with your name, the price is locked in before you arrive, and you're in your hotel without surprises. Plan for about 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.
Private Middle of the World & Alambi Hummingbirds Tour QuitoYou’ll stand right on the equator at Mitad del Mundo, try quirky science tricks at Intiñan Museum, then watch wild hummingbirds up close in Alambi’s lush cloud forest—all with a friendly local guide who knows every shortcut and story.
Guayaquil to Montañita: Private Transfer & Airport PickupYou're picked up from Guayaquil airport or your hotel and driven directly to Montañita in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver. The price is fixed and includes all taxes and fees. The journey is direct—no other passengers, no stops, no negotiations—and you arrive at your Montañita hotel ready to settle in.Is it for me?Book this if you're landing in Guayaquil or staying there and want to reach Montañita without arranging a taxi or negotiating a fare—the fixed price and direct route mean you know exactly what you're paying and when you'll arrive.
Mindo Cloud Forest & Chocolate Tour from Quito: Private guideA private day tour from Quito to Mindo cloud forest with an English-Spanish guide and private transportation. You walk guided trails through subtropical forest to observe hummingbirds and other bird species, then visit Yumbos Chocolate to see artisanal chocolate being made. The tour runs 8 hours and suits travelers who want a naturalist's pace without arranging their own transport or navigation.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary comfortably in whichever language suits you. Private transport means the pace stays yours—if the birds are active or you want to linger on a trail, the schedule bends to it.
Papallacta Hot Springs Private Day Trip with Spa AccessYou’ll trade city noise for mountain air and warm mineral pools at Termas de Papallacta Spa. It’s an easy escape with private transport and a friendly guide—perfect for unwinding or just soaking up some peace.
