If you’ve never thought about traveling to Ecuador and the Galapagos, allow us to change that. This part of the world is a favorite of NextTribe founder Jeannie Ralston because “you can see so much by traveling such a short distance.” And what she refers to as “so much” is an array of amazing sights and experiences that pull you way out of your familiar surroundings in the best of all possible ways. What to see in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are some of the most breathtaking, energizing, and memorable experiences imaginable.

Join NextTribe on our immersive, small-group trip to Ecuador, with an optional add-on a Galapagos Islands tour. The adventure happens in March 2026. Learn more here.

Straddling the equator on South America’s Pacific coast, Ecuador offers women travelers something truly extraordinary. From the cobblestone streets of colonial Quito to the pristine wilderness of the Amazon rainforest, and from the vibrant indigenous markets of the Andes to the evolutionary wonderland of the Galápagos Islands, this compact nation delivers profound beauty and transformative adventures at every turn.

A Land Shaped by Fire, Water, and Time

Ecuador’s remarkable geography tells a story written by volcanic forces and carved by ancient waters. The country sits astride the Ring of Fire, where the Nazca and South American tectonic plates meet, creating the dramatic Andes Mountains that bisect the nation from north to south. These towering peaks, including the snow-capped Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes, rise over 20,000 feet above sea level, creating distinct microclimates that support an astonishing variety of ecosystems within a territory roughly the size of Colorado. And when you travel to Ecuador, you can revel in it all.

To the east of the Andes lies the Oriente, Ecuador’s slice of the Amazon basin, where mighty rivers like the Napo flow toward the Amazon River and then on to the Atlantic Ocean through some of the world’s most biodiverse rainforest. To the west, the coastal lowlands stretch to the Pacific, where the cold Humboldt Current meets the warm Panama Current, creating the unique marine environment that makes the Galápagos Islands and their biodiversity possible.

From the Andes to the Amazon rainforest, Ecuador offers stunning landscapes that are absolutely unforgettable.

The archipelago itself, lying 600 miles off Ecuador’s coast, contains islands that emerged from the ocean floor through millions of years of volcanic activity as the Nazca Plate moved eastward over a geological hotspot. The youngest islands in the west continue to grow and change, while the older eastern islands have been sculpted by wind and waves into the diverse landscapes that captivated Charles Darwin nearly two centuries ago.

Humans have called this land home for over 10,000 years, with sophisticated civilizations like the Inca establishing major settlements in the highlands before Spanish colonization in the 16th century. The indigenous peoples who still call Ecuador home—including the Quechua, Shuar, and Achuar—have developed profound knowledge of their environments, from the medicinal properties of rainforest plants to sustainable agricultural practices in the high Andes. That’s your history and geology lesson; now let’s talk about visiting this magical place.

When to Visit: Timing Your Ecuadorian Adventure

Ecuador’s location on the equator means relatively stable temperatures year-round, but distinct wet and dry seasons create optimal windows for different types of experiences. Understanding these patterns helps you make the most of your journey.

Dry Season (June through September): This period offers the clearest skies and most comfortable conditions for highland exploration. In Quito, daytime temperatures typically range from 65-75°F, dropping to 45-55°F at night (yes, pack some scrunch-up-able down pieces). The Amazon experiences less rainfall during these months, making river navigation and wildlife spotting easier, with temperatures staying consistently warm at 75-85°F during the day and 65-70°F at night. The Galápagos enjoys cooler, drier weather during this period, with temperatures ranging from 70-80°F and excellent visibility for snorkeling and diving.

Wet Season (October through May): While this period brings more rain, it also offers lush, green landscapes and fewer crowds. Temperatures in many areas can remain similar to the dry season, but afternoon showers are common. The Amazon becomes a verdant paradise during the wettest months, though river levels rise and some areas may be inaccessible. Temperatures in the rainforest can reach 85-90°F with high humidity. The Galápagos experiences warmer, more humid conditions (75-85°F) with occasional tropical showers, but this is actually ideal for observing many wildlife behaviors, including sea turtle nesting. The water temperatures are warmer, too. NextTribe visits Ecuador and the Galapagos in March, at the wet season is tapering off.

Getting There: Most travelers fly into Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, with convenient connections from major US cities. American Airlines offers direct flights from Miami (about 5 hours), while United, LATAM, and Avianca provide connections through Panama City, Lima, or Bogotá. Total travel time from the US East Coast is typically 8-10 hours including connections, while West Coast travelers can expect 10-12 hours. For the Galápagos, you’ll need to connect through either Quito or Guayaquil, adding another 2-hour flight to your journey.

Quito: Where History Lives and Breathes

As if out of a dream, this city is tucked in a valley at 9,350 feet above sea level. Quito offers one of the world’s most spectacular urban settings, surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes and rolling green hills. The city’s historic center, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, represents the largest and best-preserved colonial center in South America.

Quito is tucked in a valley, 9,000+ feet above sea level, surrounded by rolling green hills and snow-capped peaks.

Walking through Old Town Quito feels like stepping back in time. The Plaza de la Independencia is the perfect spot to take in this incredible place. It anchors the historic district, surrounded by the Presidential Palace, Archbishop’s Palace, and Metropolitan Cathedral. The intricate stonework and baroque facades tell stories of Spanish colonial ambition, indigenous craftsmanship, and centuries of cultural fusion.

The Basilica del Voto Nacional offers grand panoramic views of the city and surrounding volcanoes, while the ornate Church of San Francisco showcases some of the finest examples of colonial art in the Americas. Don’t miss the opportunity to climb the towers of these churches—the workout at altitude is worth it for the spectacular vistas (go ahead, snap some selfies with the landscape unfurling behind you).

For a deeper dive into pre-Columbian history, visit the Casa del Alabado Museum, which houses an exceptional collection of indigenous artifacts spanning 5,000 years. The museum’s innovative displays help visitors understand the sophisticated worldview of Ecuador’s original inhabitants.

Modern Quito extends north from the historic center, offering excellent restaurants, contemporary art galleries, and comfortable accommodations. And, yes, a good opportunity for souvenir shopping. The Mariscal district provides a convenient base for exploring, with easy access to both old and new Quito.

What to See in Ecuador and the Galapagos: Into the Heart of the Amazon

Ecuador’s Amazon region, known locally as the Oriente, offers one of the most accessible and rewarding rainforest experiences in South America. The Napo River, one of the Amazon’s major tributaries, serves as your highway into this green cathedral of biodiversity.

A journey down the Napo River reveals the Amazon’s incredible complexity layer by layer. From the comfort of a motorized canoe, you can relax and soak in forest life: strangler figs slowly consuming their host trees, troops of squirrel monkeys chattering in the canopy, and pink river dolphins (absolutely extraordinary) surfacing alongside your boat. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities, when animals are most active and the light creates magical scenes through the forest mist.

The indigenous communities along the Napo River have developed sophisticated knowledge of rainforest ecology over thousands of years. Visiting with Achuar or Shuar guides provides profound insights into traditional plant medicine, sustainable hunting and fishing practices, and the intricate spiritual relationships between people and forest. Many communities welcome visitors to learn about medicinal plants—from the cat’s claw vine used to boost immunity to the powerful ayahuasca vine, with its hallucinogenic properties, used in traditional ceremonies.

Walking through the rainforest and drinking in the sounds, scents, sights, and the very feel of the air, is enchanting and profoundly memorable. The canopy soars 150 feet overhead, filtering sunlight into dancing patterns on the forest floor. Your guides will help you spot creatures you’d never notice alone: tiny poison dart frogs in electric blues and reds, camouflaged stick insects the size of your forearm, and butterflies with wings like stained glass windows.

Many Amazon lodges offer canopy walks—suspension bridges that allow you to experience the forest’s most biodiverse layer at eye level. At this height, you’re surrounded by bromeliads, orchids, and other epiphytes (air plants) that never touch the ground, while troops of howler monkeys announce the dawn with calls that carry for miles.

Roses, Horses, and Highland Adventures

Ecuador’s highland region, known as the Sierra, offers experiences that showcase both natural beauty and cultural richness. The country has become one of the world’s largest flower exporters, and visiting a rose plantation provides fascinating insights into this global industry. Near Cayambe, you can tour facilities that produce millions of stems annually, learning about the precise altitude, climate, and soil conditions that create Ecuador’s prized long-stemmed roses. And all the while, you’ll be steeped in the delightful smell of these blooms.

Come to the Sierra for horseback rides, rose plantations, glacial lakes, and more beauty than you ever imagined one region of this country could contain!

The Andean landscape is perfect for horseback riding, with trails that wind through páramo grasslands, past glacial lakes, and up to viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of volcanic peaks. The indigenous Chagra horsemen of the region have developed a distinctive riding style adapted to high-altitude terrain, and learning from them adds cultural depth to your equestrian adventures.

The market town of Otavalo, about two hours north of Quito, hosts one of South America’s most famous indigenous markets. Every Saturday, the Plaza de los Ponchos fills with vendors selling textiles, jewelry, musical instruments, and crafts representing traditions passed down through generations. The quality and variety of goods are exceptional—from intricate alpaca sweaters to hand-carved tagua nut figurines. Hope there’s room in your suitcase for some treasures to take home.

Beyond shopping, Otavalo offers opportunities to visit artisan workshops where you can learn traditional techniques firsthand. Try your hand at weaving on a backstrap loom, learn to play the pan flute, or discover the secrets of natural dyeing using plants and minerals from the surrounding landscape. These hands-on experiences provide meaningful connections with local culture while supporting traditional crafts.

The Galápagos: Evolution’s Laboratory

Six hundred miles off Ecuador’s coast, the Galapagos Islands exist as a world apart—a living laboratory where evolution unfolds before your eyes. This volcanic archipelago of 19 major islands and dozens of smaller islets has captured imaginations since Charles Darwin’s visit in 1835, when his observations here contributed to his theory of evolution by natural selection.

The islands’ isolation and diverse microclimates have created an evolutionary playground where species have adapted to fill every available niche. About 80 percent of land birds, 97 percent of reptiles and land mammals, and 30 percent of plants exist nowhere else on Earth. The lack of natural predators has made many animals remarkably fearless around humans, offering wildlife encounters impossible anywhere else.

Think of the Galápagos as an evolutionary playground full of rare flora and fauna.

Getting to the Galápagos requires careful planning. All visitors must fly through either Quito or Guayaquil to reach the airports on Baltra or San Cristóbal islands. The Ecuadorian government strictly controls access to protect this fragile ecosystem, requiring visitors to pay a park entrance fee and travel with certified naturalist guides.

San Cristóbal and El Junco Lagoon: Often your first stop in the archipelago, San Cristóbal offers an excellent introduction to Galápagos wildlife and geology. El Junco Lagoon, located in the island’s highlands, represents the only permanent freshwater lake in the Galápagos. This crater lake, formed in an extinct volcanic caldera, provides critical habitat for frigate birds, which come here to drink and bathe—unusual behavior for seabirds. The surrounding Miconia forests showcase the islands’ endemic plant life, with giant ferns and scalesia trees creating a misty, otherworldly atmosphere.

Floreana Island: Perhaps the most intriguing of the inhabited islands, Floreana carries a mysterious history of eccentric European settlers, unexplained disappearances, and romantic scandals that continue to fascinate visitors today. Post Office Bay features the famous barrel that has served as an informal mail system since 1793—visitors can leave postcards for other travelers to hand-deliver around the world.

Cormorant Point: Located on Floreana’s northern shore, Cormorant Point demonstrates the Galápagos’ geological diversity within a small area. The landing beach consists of green sand (yup, you read that correctly), colored by the mineral olivine from volcanic eruptions. A short walk leads to a brilliant white-sand beach composed entirely of crushed coral, where sea turtles nest and rays glide through the shallow waters. It’s akin to walking into a National Geographic TV special.

Española Island: The southernmost and oldest of the major islands, Española showcases evolution at work. This island hosts the world’s only population of waved albatross, magnificent seabirds with eight-foot wingspans that perform elaborate courtship dances from April through December. You also may see blue-footed boobies; they are every bit as special as their name! Suarez Point offers spectacular coastal scenery, with dramatic blowholes shooting seawater high into the air and marine iguanas basking on black lava rocks.

Santa Cruz Island and the Twin Craters: As the archipelago’s most populous island and tourism hub, Santa Cruz provides excellent infrastructure while maintaining spectacular natural areas. The Twin Craters (Los Gemelos) aren’t volcanic craters at all, but rather pit craters formed when empty underground magma chambers collapsed. These depressions create unique microhabitats supporting native plants and serving as one of the best places to observe Darwin’s finches—the birds that helped inspire his famous evolutionary theory.

The Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora showcases conservation efforts that have brought several species back from the brink of extinction. Here you can learn about the tortoise breeding programs that have restored populations on multiple islands and meet some of the giants that can live over 150 years.

Flora and Fauna: A Living Encyclopedia

The Galápagos’ remarkable wildlife exists in distinct zones determined by altitude and rainfall. In the arid coastal areas, you’ll encounter marine iguanas—the world’s only seagoing lizards—that dive up to 30 feet deep to graze on algae. These prehistoric-looking creatures can hold their breath for up to an hour and have developed specialized salt glands to remove excess salt from their blood.

Giant tortoises, the islands’ most famous residents, can weigh over 900 pounds and have evolved different shell shapes on different islands based on available food sources. Dome-shaped shells on islands with abundant low vegetation contrast with saddle-shaped shells that allow tortoises to reach higher plants on arid islands. Photo ops abound.

While getting a lesson in evolutionary theory, go ahead and snap photos of those amazing giant tortoises.

The archipelago’s 13 species of Darwin’s finches, mentioned above, demonstrate adaptation in action. These small brown birds have evolved different beak shapes and sizes to access various food sources—from the large, powerful beaks of ground finches that crack tough seeds to the thin, curved beaks of warbler finches that delicately probe for insects.

Marine life proves equally spectacular. Galápagos sea lions are remarkably playful, cute, and curious, often approaching snorkelers for underwater encounters. Green sea turtles nest on several beaches, while hawksbill turtles feed in the rocky coastal areas. The convergence of ocean currents brings together tropical and temperate species in one location—you might see tropical parrotfish and temperate sea lions in the same bay.

Plant life ranges from the sparse desert vegetation of the coast to the lush highland forests. Prickly pear cacti have evolved tree-like forms on islands with tortoises, growing tall to avoid being eaten. The dramatic scalesia (giant daisy) trees create cloud forests in the highlands, while mangroves provide crucial nursery habitat for marine life in coastal lagoons.

Culinary Adventures: Flavors of Land and Sea

Ecuadorian cuisine reflects the country’s geographic and cultural diversity, blending indigenous ingredients with Spanish, African, and Asian influences. The result is a varied and flavorful culinary landscape that changes dramatically from region to region.

• In the highlands around Quito, traditional dishes center on hearty stews and soups perfect for the cool mountain climate. Locro de papa, a rich potato soup with cheese and avocado, showcases Ecuador’s incredible potato diversity—the country grows over 400 varieties.
• Hornado, slow-roasted pork served with hominy, represents celebration food often prepared for festivals and special occasions.
• Of course, you don’t need to partake, but cuy (guinea pig) remains an important protein source in highland indigenous communities, typically roasted whole for special occasions. While it may challenge some visitors’ comfort zones, this dish offers insight into Andean food traditions that predate European colonization by thousands of years.
• The Amazon region contributes delicious ingredients you may already know and love, like heart of palm, plantains, and river fish. Maito represents a traditional cooking method where fish is wrapped in bijao leaves with herbs and cooked over an open fire, creating incredibly flavorful and aromatic dishes. Many jungle lodges offer cooking classes where you can learn to prepare traditional dishes using ingredients gathered from the forest.
• Ecuador’s coastal regions excel at seafood, with ceviche (raw fish “cooked” with such ingredients as citrus juice) representing the national dish. Ecuadorian ceviche differs from Peruvian versions, often including popcorn, plantain chips, or sweet potato as accompaniments.
• The port city of Guayaquil offers exceptional encebollado, a hearty fish stew perfect for recovering from late nights.
• The Galápagos Islands maintain strict regulations about imported foods to protect the ecosystem, so dining focuses on fresh seafood and limited local ingredients. Lobster, when in season, represents a true treat, while fresh fish like wahoo and yellowfin tuna appear on most menus. Many restaurants participate in sustainable fishing practices to protect the marine environment.

Beverages include fresh fruit juices made from tropical fruits many visitors have never tasted. Try mora (blackberry), naranjilla (a citrus relative), or tree tomato juice. Chicha de jora, a fermented corn beverage, represents an ancient indigenous drink still prepared for festivals.

Coffee lovers will appreciate Ecuador’s growing reputation for these beans. The country’s diverse microclimates and altitudes produce crops with unique flavor profiles, from the bright, acidic coffees of the northern highlands to the full-bodied beans grown in the cloud forests.

For a memorable culinary experience, seek out quinoa preparations that go far beyond simple grain dishes. Indigenous cooks have developed sophisticated techniques for preparing this superfood, from crispy quinoa añado (fried with vegetables) to sweet quinoa desserts that showcase the grain’s versatility.

Planning Your Transformative Journey

Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands offer profound experiences that extend far beyond typical tourism. Whether you’re watching a giant tortoise lumber across volcanic rock, learning traditional weaving techniques from indigenous artisans, or navigating the green waterways of the Amazon, this remarkable destination provides opportunities for genuine connection with both nature and culture.

The compact geography means you can experience incredible diversity within a relatively short timeframe, witnessing the ongoing story of life on Earth in all its incredible complexity and beauty.