Ecuador

Though the Galapagos Islands may be considered the jewel in the crown of any visit to Ecuador, the Andean nation flaunts a great diversity of landscapes, people and geographic features.

Littered with colonial towns, snow-capped mountains, and gold sand beaches, it displays the South American region’s diversity, packed in a compact, travel-friendly area of 283,562 sq km (109,484 sq miles).

Ecuador offers no shortage of places to visit and activities to enjoy across four natural regions — the Amazon rainforest, the Andean highlands, the Pacific coast, and the Galápagos archipelago.

From Quito, the second-highest capital city in the world, to the UNESCO-recognized Cuenca, here’s our guide to the best places to explore during your stay in Ecuador.