Ecuador
Where nature and history meet



Sitting on the shoulder of the South American continent, Ecuador – the mainland at least – somehow manages to avoid the limelight of the region's bigger hitters. There's the Galapagos Islands of course, but otherwise plucky Ecuador gets barely a look-in compared to its surrounding neighbours.
This is, of course, entirely unfair. As one of South America's three Andean nations (the others being Peru and Bolivia), Ecuador has a colourful and varied history with a cultural hinterland that draws more from indigenous civilisation than Latin influence.
While the cities are either modern (Quito) or colonial (Cuenca), once you get into the mountains you'll encounter a way of life that reaches way back to pre-Colombian times. Keep going and you'll reach the Amazon – here barely touched by tourism relative to the commodified rainforests of Peru and Brazil.
All too many people treat Ecuador as a launchpad for the Galapagos. This is a heinous crime against decency and taste. Slow down, spend a while longer, and get to know this fascinating country for its own sake. Welcome to Ecuador!
Hidden gems in Ecuador
Isla Darwin
Scuba on Darwin Island
PlaceTiny Darwin Island, at the remote far north of the archipelago, is one of the world’s premier scuba locations and has the densest biomass of sharks anywhere on earth. Rarely visited by standard cruises, these quiet waters teem with whale, Galápagos and silky sharks, hammerheads and more.
Read moreIsla Fernandina
Iguanas and penguins on Fernandina
PlaceThe third largest – and youngest – of the Galápagos Islands, volcanically active Fernandina has a unique environment which makes it a haven for thousands of slowly-moving marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants and sea lions. This is also the island where you’re most likely to see a volcanic eruption! There is a good 15km hike to Volcan Sierra Negra which departs from Puerto Villamil.
Read moreIsla Rabida
Flamingoes and snorkelling on Isla Rabida
PlaceNoted for the unique red colour of its beach and cliffs (from the iron content), Isla Rabida is known for the sizeable population of flamingos that feed on shrimp in its lagoon, snorkelling with sea lions and the large number of bird species that live here.
Read moreIsla Genovesa
Isla Genovesa for birdwatching
PlaceGenovesa, a remote island in the archipelago’s far north, is visited by longer cruise itineraries and is a favourite for birdwatchers. Also known as Booby Island due to the sheer number of goofy-looking Nazca and red-footed boobies that live here, the island is also home to great frigatebirds, short-eared owls, petrels, Galápagos doves, finches, lava gulls, and many more. Also here you can visit the tidal pools of Darwin Bay where sea birds hover and marine life flourishes, and climb Prince Philip’s Steps, named for the British royal who visited the island. You’ll see red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and great frigate birds along the way.
Read moreThe Galapagos Islands
North Seymour for iguanas
PlaceNorth Seymour is home to one of the island’s first conservation projects. In the 1930s, the crew of Captain Alan Hancock’s ship transferred 72 land iguanas from the nearby Baltra Island to North Seymour in the hopes that the reptiles would fare better without the feral goats competing for food. At last count in 2014, there were 2500 land iguanas on the island. North Seymour and neighbouring Mosquera Islet are home to a large population of sea lions. Snorkelling here puts you up close and personal with these curious creatures and their young pups. Also here is a flamingo lagoon on the isolated Bachas Beach, and the largest nesting colony of great frigate birds.
Read moreIsla Bartolomé
Pinnacle Rock on Isla Bartolomé
PlaceOne of the sites used in the movie “Master and Commander,” Bartolomé’s Pinnacle Rock is the closest thing to a Galápagos landmark. The volcanic outcrop formed after lava erupted from an underwater volcano and the iconic formation was used for target practice by US airmen during WWII, adding to its unique shape. The colourful scenery of the beaches on either side of Pinnacle Rock is contrasted by the barren landscape of Bartolomé’s interior. It’s often compared to the moon or Mars due to the red lava rocks away from the shore. While here you can climb to the top of the island’s summit, ascending a wooden staircase through the stripped-down landscape. In the shallow waters between the landing point and Pinnacle Rock you can see Galápagos penguins, sea turtles, parrotfish, and small sharks.
Read moreIsla Española
Sea lions, lizards & boobies on Isla Española
PlaceOn Española, you’ll be greeted by colonies of sea lions and Española lava lizards lounging freely. It’s also known for its nesting sites of Blue-footed and Nazca boobies. You can hike the Punta Suarez trail to the edge of a cliff overlooking a natural lava blowhole, visit the waved Albatross breeding colony (the world’s population of the species migrates here during April and December). The white sand beach at Gardner Bay is one of the longest in the islands and sea turtles bury their eggs on the beach during mating season between January and March.
Read moreIsla Floreana
Isla Floreana for turtles
PlaceAfter being marooned on Floreana in 1805, Irishman Patrick Watkins became the first known Galápagos resident. Post Office Bay is also here, an informal mail system started in the 1700s by whalers. Mail was left for ships returning home in a barrel by those headed out to sea. The tradition lives on today: you can leave postcards at Post Office Bay for others to pick up and deliver once home. Also on Floreana is Cormorant Point with two contrasting beaches; a green sand beach caused by olivine crystals and Flour Beach, made from crushed white coral. You can see pink flamingos at the nearby Flamingo Lagoon, watch for Green sea turtles nesting on the sands of Flour Beach. Another highlight is a panga ride to Gardner Inlet for a view of the large caves and rock formations of the island. Just off the Floreana coast is the Devil’s Crown – a partially submerged, extinct volcano where wildlife thrives. Sea turtles, sea lions and even sharks are commonly seen in and around the crater, while seabirds crowd the outlying cliffs.
Read moreIsla Isabela
Isla Isabela for lava tunnels
PlaceOriginally named Albemarle Island by pirate Ambrose Cowley, Isabela is one of the youngest and largest of the Galápagos archipelago. It was formed by six volcanoes: Sierra Negra, Wolf, Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin and Ecuador. All are active except Ecuador; Sierra Negra erupted most recently in 2018. Isabela's famous Los Túneles ('tunnels') are a series of pools sheltered from the sea’s currents with interlacing volcanic bridges spanning the depths. The crystal waters are home to decades-old sea turtles, large sea horses, white-tipped reef sharks and thriving schools of tropical fish. Also on Isabela you can take a horseback ride to the top of the Sierra Negra Volcano, spot Humpback Whales off the western coast of the island (June to September), see the Galápagos penguins near Tagus Cove – a favourite of pirates and whalers; names of ships dating back to 1836 are carved into the nearby cliff sides.
Read moreIsla San Cristóbal
Sharks & surf on San Cristobal
PlaceSan Cristobal is the provincial capital of the Galápagos. One of the oldest islands, it was Darwin’s first stop on his historic journey. It’s the home to government and educational institutions. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno acts as the second tourist centre for the islands. Offices of tour agencies, foundations and branches of banks are open during the week. Kicker Rock, off the west coast of San Cristobal, is one of the best-known sites in the islands to see hammerhead sharks. Hundreds gather in the depths here, while the lion-shaped shadow of Kicker Rock towers above you. Kicker Rock is two hours from San Cristobal and you must be accompanied by a guide. Also on Cristobal, Cerro Tijeretas is reached by a short hike past the island’s Interpretation Centre. The view offers an amazing view over the bay below and there are trails down to the water and around the area. Cristobal is also known for its surf, drawing surfers to Punta Carola beach, Tongo Reef, among a few others. There are a few surf clubs and rental shops on the island.
Read moreIsla Santa Cruz
Get your bearings on Isla Santa Cruz
PlacePuerta Ayora, the main town on Santa Cruz island, is the tourist centre of the islands – tour agencies, airline offices, restaurants, banks and shops line the streets. It’s a stop on most tour itineraries and the place to finalise travel plans, find gifts for friends and family, and sample local cuisine. While here you can hike to Tortuga Bay – considered one of the best beaches in the world and perfect for snorkelling and sea kayaking, hike to lava tubes in the highlands, watch local fishermen compete with sea lions as they land their daily catch, and – a highlight – visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, the original rallying point for scientific and conservation efforts in the islands. For diving, off the coast of Santa Cruz Island, Gordon Rocks is a submerged volcano where the depths reveal hammerhead sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Currents can be strong and swells in the shallows mean that divers need to stay below 40 ft.
Read moreThe Galapagos Islands
Best beaches to relax
ExperienceYour days exploring the Galapagos will be action-packed. If you want to build in some beach time, try any of the following: Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz One of the best beaches in the world, the western end of this long expanse of pristine white sand is tranquil and perfect for swimming, kayaking and snorkelling. (The eastern end has strong currents.) Puerto Villamil beach, Isabela The beach in front of the sleepy town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela island overlooks the island’s bay. You can see penguins on outcrops and the water is inviting to those who want a dip after a big day of exploring. Small beachside bars and shaded hammocks make it a great spot to relax and unwind far away from the crowds. Red beach, Rabida The red sand of the beach on Rabida Island comes from the high iron content in the volcanic rock of the island. Sea lions greet those visiting from cruises on this strange landscape, framed by green cactus and palo santo trees. Bachas beach, Santa Cruz Bachas beach on Santa Cruz Island is often a stop on day trips to neighbouring uninhabited islands. Its protected bay is a great place to swim, and the nearby lagoons are home to flamingos feeding in the shallow water. The beach is named after two barges that were abandoned by the army after WWII. Post Office Bay, Floreana The beach at Post Office Bay is one of the few places that is just as interesting for its human history. Whalers who first visited the island set up a barrel for mail. Those returning from their time at sea would take mail home for those heading out on their long voyage. Today, visitors from cruise ships leave a postcard and take another home to deliver. Stay safe The wildlife of the Galapagos Islands beaches, though used to human presence, present the most danger in the islands. Male sea lions aggressively protect their harems and young, and sea life such as white-tipped reef sharks can be hard to spot in shallow reefs and can react when disturbed.
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Scuba on Darwin Island
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Iguanas and penguins on Fernandina
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Flamingoes and snorkelling on Isla Rabida
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Isla Genovesa for birdwatching
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North Seymour for iguanas
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Pinnacle Rock on Isla Bartolomé
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Sea lions, lizards & boobies on Isla Española
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Isla Floreana for turtles
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Isla Isabela for lava tunnels
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Sharks & surf on San Cristobal
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Get your bearings on Isla Santa Cruz
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Best beaches to relax
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Surfing
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Sea kayaking
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See tortoises in the wild
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Day trip to Isla Bartolomé
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Three species of Galápagos boobies
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See the waved albatross
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Shark diving
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Snorkelling
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Slow travel on Isla Floreana
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Volcano hikes
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Start at the Charles Darwin Research Station
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Ecuador tours


Galapagos and Amazon basin combined
Explore the highlights of Ecuador
10 days From $5,842 pp

Classic Galapagos cruise
See the best of the Galapagos Islands
4 days From $2,215 pp


Galapagos expedition cruise
Luxury-class cruise of the islands
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Galapagos Cruise & Ecuador Mainland
Immersive culture & wildlife experience
11 days From $6,139 pp

Galapagos Cruise & Machu Picchu
See the two gems of South America
13 days From $4,790 ppEcuador travel companies






Galapagos Safari Camp
Luxury safari camp offering flexible and personalised land sea adventures


