South America

Ecuador

Andes, Amazon, colonial cities and the Galápagos — all in one small country.

budgetUS dollar ($)

Ecuador squeezes an astonishing range into one small, friendly country straddling the equator — snow-capped Andean volcanoes, steaming Amazon rainforest, indigenous markets, a Pacific coast, and offshore, the wildlife wonderland of the Galápagos Islands. Its capital Quito, high in the Andes, has one of the best-preserved and most beautiful colonial old towns in the Americas, a UNESCO gem of churches, plazas and cobbled streets beneath the volcanoes. Compact, cheap and spectacularly varied.

What things cost: Ecuador is cheap and easy on the wallet — it uses the US dollar, and food, rooms and transport all cost little (the Galápagos being the big, unavoidable exception). Set-lunch almuerzos and the markets are a bargain. When a zone below says 'low', that means genuinely low.

The cities

Quito — the Andes' spectacular colonial capital

Quito

the Andes' spectacular colonial capital15 must-dos · 5 areas to stay

What’s on in Ecuador

Sometimes the event picks the city for you.

Mar22–26

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

One of the most striking Holy Week processions in the Americas — on Good Friday, the extraordinary Jesús del Gran Poder procession fills the old town, with thousands of purple-robed, cone-hooded penitents (cucuruchos), some dragging crosses or in chains, in a solemn, dramatic march through the colonial streets. A profoundly atmospheric and moving spectacle of faith and tradition; if your visit coincides, it's an unforgettable window into Andean Catholic culture.

Quito · The historic centre

Jun21–24

Inti Raymi (solstice festivals)

Around the June solstice, the indigenous communities of the highlands around Quito celebrate Inti Raymi, the ancient Andean sun festival — days of vibrant music, costumed dancing, ritual and thanksgiving for the harvest, especially colourful in nearby towns like Otavalo and Cayambe. A fascinating, deeply traditional celebration of Andean culture that predates the Spanish; a wonderful time to head into the highlands for the festivities. Colourful, joyful and authentic.

Quito · Highland towns near Quito

28 Nov – 6 Dec

Fiestas de Quito

Quito's biggest party, celebrating the city's Spanish founding on December 6 — a week of exuberant festivities with open-top 'chiva' party buses blaring music through the streets, bullfighting traditions, live concerts, dancing, and endless canelazo. The whole city lets loose in a joyful, boisterous fiesta; join the chivas, catch the concerts and street parties, and soak up Quito at its most celebratory. A hugely fun, if rowdy, time to be in town.

Quito · Across the city