Ecuador is a country rich in nature. The Galápagos Islands, in particular, are amazing and are known as an attractive tourist destination where you can enjoy beautiful ocean views and encounters with wildlife. The country is also home to the Andes Mountains, offering an abundance of mountains and lakes.
For those who want to fully enjoy Ecuador, we will introduce five tourist spots! These include places where you can experience the stunning scenery and snorkeling of the Galápagos Islands, trekking in the mountains with views of alpine plants, as well as unique urban parks and historical sites that can only be found in Ecuador.
1. San Francisco Church and Monastery (Quito)
The San Francisco Church is located in the old town of Quito, Ecuador. Built by the Spanish in 1535, it is the oldest Catholic building in all of South America. Highlights include its intricate architectural style and an enormous collection of artwork, including religious paintings and decorations. One interesting feature is the design that incorporates both Incan sun worship and Catholic symbols. The former underground crypt is now a gift shop where you can buy handicrafts and souvenirs.
In front of the church is a plaza called "San Francisco Square," which has a laid-back atmosphere with pigeons flying around. As it is located in the heart of the old town, people gather there on Sundays for concerts and various events. You might even encounter vendors in traditional clothing. If you visit the plaza at night, you can see the San Francisco Church beautifully lit up from the inside!
This 16th-century structure houses over 3,500 works of art, and there is even an underground crypt. It's definitely worth a visit!
Name: San Francisco Church and Monastery
Address: Jose Mejia, Quito, Ecuador
2. Guayaquil Historical Park (Guayaquil)
If you're looking for a tourist spot in Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil, that's fun for kids, Guayaquil Historical Park is highly recommended! The park is divided into three zones. The largest zone is a zoo where you can see Ecuador's native animals. Colorful parrots, sloths, flamingos, crocodiles, monkeys, and the harpy eagle are all here, making it very popular with children.
The next zone recreates Ecuador’s old cityscapes. Here, you can see charming buildings with European-style decorations. The last zone showcases Ecuador’s traditional agriculture. There are orchards and recreated rural villages, and you can even try cracking open cacao!
Another spot worth visiting in Guayaquil is Seminario Park, also known as "Iguana Park." Many iguanas roam freely here, peacefully coexisting with pigeons. They’re used to people, often being fed lettuce by visitors, so you can even touch them!
Name: Guayaquil Historical Park
Address: Avenue Rio Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Official Website: https://goo.gl/HvTdQQ
3. Cajas National Park (Azuay)
If you're someone who wants to enjoy both the mountains and trekking, Cajas National Park is highly recommended! From downtown Cuenca, you can take a bus heading toward Guayaquil and get off after about 30 minutes. Once you arrive at the park, you'll immediately see beautiful lakes!
First, head to the administration office to register your name, age, and nationality. It's a good idea to bring a copy of your passport. There are various trekking courses to choose from—some take about two hours, others around four hours, and there are even long-term courses that include camping. In any case, make sure to bring hiking boots and rain gear. Follow the red markers along the course, though some areas can be hard to see, so bringing a map is smart!
Cajas National Park sits between 3,000m and 4,000m above sea level, with mountains and lakes scattered throughout. Since there aren’t many tourists, it’s a perfect place to enjoy peace and refreshing scenery. You'll also find many rare alpine plants, making it a fun place for photography while trekking!
Name: Cajas National Park
Address: Azuay, Ecuador
4. Lava Tunnels of Isabela Island (Galápagos Islands)
Many people visiting Ecuador are hoping for beautiful ocean views and relaxing encounters with marine life. If that sounds like you, the "Los Tuneles" (The Tunnels) on Isabela Island is a must-see spot! It's a rare area where lava tunnels rise up from under the ocean.
You can enjoy walking on top of the lava tunnels or snorkeling in the clear waters. This is one of Ecuador’s most popular tourist spots, where you can encounter the unique animals of the Galápagos Islands. You can swim with sea turtles and penguins, and you might also see seahorses, sharks, manta rays, stingrays, and sea lions. On land, you’ll find blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas. The blue-footed booby, with its distinct bright-blue feet, is unique to the Galápagos and a highlight for many visitors.
On Isabela Island, sea lions are often found relaxing on benches meant for people. Wouldn't you love to visit a paradise like that, full of animals?
Name: Lava Tunnels of Isabela Island
Address: SE Isabela Island / Nr. La Union Rock, Puerto Villamil 200250, Ecuador
5. Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz Island (Galápagos Islands)
Santa Cruz Island in Ecuador is famous for being home to the Darwin Research Station. From the nearby town of Puerto Ayora, if you head west along the coast, you’ll reach a beach known as Tortuga Bay. "Tortuga" means turtle, and this area is a nesting site for sea turtles. Entry is only allowed during designated times, but if you visit on a sunny day, you’ll be greeted by breathtaking views of "blue ocean and white sandy beaches."
The beach is also home to many marine iguanas, which go back and forth between the rocky areas and the sandy shore. If you’re lucky, you might even get to swim alongside them! Sometimes sharks swim close to shore, but they’re not the type that attack humans. There are a few spots in the Galápagos where you can snorkel with sharks, but make sure to follow the instructions of the local guides!
From the Darwin Research Station to this beach, you’ll find plenty of souvenir shops and cafes, making for an enjoyable walk.
Name: Tortuga Bay
Address: Tortuga Bay, Puerto Ayora
◎ Summary
We couldn’t cover everything this time, but Ecuador has four other UNESCO World Heritage Sites besides the Galápagos Islands (as of January 2017). One of them is the "City of Quito," which is home to beautiful old monasteries, cathedrals, museums, and art galleries. It’s one of Ecuador's most popular tourist spots, and just walking around the city is enjoyable!