Best and Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Ecuador- Ngtraveller

Ecuador is by far the smallest country in its area, but the diversity of this South American country is on par with its neighbors like Peru and Brazil, if not better. With an area of approximately 283,560 square kilometers, you will find attractive colonial cities, beaches, a variety of landscapes and unique species of plants and animals that only thrive in the ecosystems of Ecuador.

It can be difficult to create an itinerary and see all the highlights, but we can help you on your way with this article. Here are the best and most exciting places to visit in Ecuador.

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are located approximately 1,000 kilometers from the South American continent. Provides a unique natural habitat with a wide variety of created plants and animals. This large archipelago mainly attracts nature lovers looking for animals such as the Galapagos penguin, the giant tortoise, the blue-footed booby, and the marine iguana, a lizard that has adapted to stay under the sea for up to an hour.

The Galapagos Islands are also a dream destination for divers, as the ocean here is teeming with sea lions, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, stingrays, and many other large species. In addition to extraordinary wildlife, the Galapagos Islands are home to stunning mountains, crater lagoons, dense forests, and stunning beaches.

Quito

The colorful capital of Ecuador is located in the north of the country at an altitude of 2,800 meters. After catching your breath and adjusting to the altitude, you can explore gems like El Centro Histórico with its impressive palaces and churches, or the huge Metropolitan Park.

The Plaza Grande is in the heart of Quito, with its pastel-colored 17th century facades, picturesque Catholic churches, and the Archbishop's Palace.

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Climbing to the top of the Basilica del Voto Nacional is a great way to see the city, but taking the TelefériQo cable car up to the Pichincha volcano from the center is really nice. After twenty minutes and an amazing flight, you will reach an altitude of 3,945 meters surrounded by the arid landscapes around the Pichincha Volcano.

The Chimborazo volcano is part of the legendary Andes mountain range and rises 6,268 meters above sea level. Chimborazo is not the highest mountain in the Andes, but its summit has the honorable position of being the furthest point from the center of the Earth.

The snowy summit of this dormant volcano is a popular destination for climbers, but keep in mind that both climbing in harsh alpine environments and wearing special mountaineering gear are part of the experience of conquering this giant.

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This summit in central Ecuador is capped with eternal snows and glaciers, making it a challenging scramble for adventurous climbers, as well as excellent photo opportunities for those straying from the summit. If you don't feel like climbing all the way, there are several scenic hiking trails around the base of the mountain.

Away from city life and exciting activities, Puerto López is an unpretentious fishing community on the Pacific coast of Ecuador. There's not much to do here other than watch life go by at a slow pace, but that's exactly the magic.

Puerto López attracts some tourists, who come here mainly for the magnificent beaches and nearby forests. Drive a little north of the city and you will arrive at Playa los Frayles, a beautiful white sand beach with rock formations jutting out of the ocean floor.

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Nearby Isla de la Plata is well worth a trip to see unique wildlife, from killer whales and seasonal whales to beautiful blue-footed booby traps on land. You are not allowed to stay here for protection reasons, but you can take a day trip by boat from Puerto López.