Quito, A Historic City
To start, it boasts historical UNESCO-protected cities like the capital, Quito, located at an altitude of 2,200 meters—a truly unique experience.
My Trip To Ecuador
Free Ecuador and Galápagos itinerary and price from Happy Gringo
We drove across mainland Ecuador and visited the Galápagos ourselves, and we now send readers to Happy Gringo, the licensed Quito agency we partnered with, for a free quote with no obligation.
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Meet Oleg And Natalia
Ecuador is a hidden gem that my wife and I discovered during our incredible 30-day journey. When we decided to travel to Ecuador, we rented a car and explored the country on our own, driving all the way from the northern regions to the southern tips of the mainland. We were genuinely surprised by how untouristy Ecuador is, offering unspoiled landscapes and authentic experiences.
We rented a car to drive through the country on the Ecuadorian mainland and spent another two weeks on the amazing Galapagos Islands. I will share our route, places we visited, the budget spent on accommodation and food, and many more details day by day for you to decide whether you want to travel to Ecuador or not.
Check my Ecuador travel guide here.
30days of travel
2,000+kilometres driven
20+cities we visited
Watch Our Trip Videos
Two videos on our YouTube channel: our route through mainland Ecuador and an A to Z guide to the Galapagos Islands.
ECUADOR TRAVEL GUIDE: we were AMAZED! Our 15-day route, budget, food and TOP destinations to visit!
Galapagos Islands A to Z: From Hidden Gems to HARSH REALITIES - Your Ultimate Galapagos Travel Guide
Popular Planning Guides
Guides on our route and budget, Ecuador weather, what the Galapagos cost us, safety, cruises and our Galapagos trip.
Ecuador Travel Guide: Our Route, Budget, Things To Do, Accommodation and Valuable Tips
Climate and Weather in Ecuador: Know What To Expect on Your Trip
Is it Expensive to Visit Galapagos Islands? My expenses
Is Ecuador Safe for Tourists?
Is a Galápagos Cruise Worth the Money? An Honest Review
Our 10-day Budget Trip to Galapagos Islands: Route and Tips
Where We Went In Ecuador
Every pin is a place we visited ourselves, and each one links to our guide.
Map: Natural Earth; places: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Guides For Major Ecuadorian Cities
Quito Travel Guide
Otavalo Travel Guide
Cuenca Travel Guide
Banos Ecuador Travel Guide
Guayaquil Travel Guide
Tena Travel Guide
Manta Travel Guide
Puerto Lopez Travel Guide
Guides For Galapagos Islands
Why Travel To Ecuador?
When we were deciding on our next travel destination, I was blown away by what travelling to Ecuador has to offer. Despite being a relatively small country, the variety of experiences it provides is absolutely shocking.
Volcanoes And Parks
Ecuador is also home to many active and inactive volcanoes. For instance, we climbed to the 5,000-meter mark at Cotopaxi National Park, which was an unforgettable adventure.
The Amazon Jungle
Just a 1.5-hour drive from there, you find yourself in the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle, a unique experience no other.
Coast And Cloud Forest
The country also features a stunning coastline, cloud forests like Mindo, and, of course, the Galapagos Islands.
Galapagos Wildlife
In the Galapagos, you get to share space with fearless marine life—sea lions, turtles, and even sharks swim right next to you. It’s an extraordinary experience.
Friendly People
Not to mention, Ecuadorian people were absolutely amazing—heartwarming, super friendly, and welcoming, despite the concerns some people raise about safety in Ecuador.
You might think I’ve just described a year-long travel plan, but we explored all of this within 30 days. Ecuador makes it possible to have such an immersive and diverse travel experience!
One of Ecuador’s hidden perks is the lack of mass tourism. The country isn’t heavily marketed as a travel destination, which means fewer crowds and a more authentic experience. While planning, I noticed there aren’t many blogs or guides about traveling in Ecuador, so I’ve done my best to fill that gap with this blog, My Trip to Ecuador. It’s packed with helpful information about travel destinations, and I’m happy to answer your questions in the comments.
Lastly, I’ve partnered with a local Ecuadorian agency that can help you plan your trip. You can even get a free quote here.
Happy travels!
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