City: Ecuador
Top Things to do in Ecuador
10 Sights & Landmarks in Ecuador That You Shouldn't Miss
Coordinates: 2°00′S 77°30′W / 2.000°S 77.500°W / -2.000; -77.500
Restaurants in Ecuador
1. Montanita Spanish School - Day Classes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 319 reviews
Reviewed By yusufventures - Manchester, United Kingdom
To kick start my trip around South and Central America I decided to join a Spanish school, due to my complete lack of Spanish ability, that also had options for surfing and I stumbled upon Montanita Spanish school. I spent a total of 4 weeks at the Montanita Spanish school along with the accommodation at the nearby Cabanas and I very much enjoyed my time there. The classes are split between morning grammar classes and afternoon practical classes. I opted to join the group classes which I enjoyed particularly when it came to the practical lessons in the afternoon and the Spanish games that were played. The teachers were very friendly and knowledgable and I liked the fact that they stuck to giving explanations in Spanish in order to immerse you in the language. The level of grammar taught was quite intensive and the notes I took will surely help me as I continue to learn on my own. The school itself has a nice relaxed vibe to it. They offer drinking water, coffee, tea and even bread and juice during the morning lessons. The classes on the roof are particularly nice as they offer a great view of Montanita. There are also many activities to keep you occupied outside of school hours. I of course took part in surfing which was generally in between classes or first thing in the morning daily and a few lessons of Salsa which can be done any weekday evening provided you have at least 2 people interested. There were also social activities such as BBQ's, Surf trips, beach cleaning, welcome dinners and cultural festival days. I took part in as many as I could and had a great time at each one. The interns and staff were great engaging with me often and just generally being fun to be around. I would gladly go back in the future and one thing I would do differently would perhaps be to live with a host family so that I am practicing Spanish throughout the day, I admittedly got a bit too comfortable speaking English during the evenings. All in all it is a great spot to learn Spanish, surfing and to just generally have a great time.
2. Hacienda La Danesa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 254 reviews
Hacienda La Danesa (accommodation available) is a traditional dairy and cacao farm with over 145 years of rich heritage and history, located about an hour drive from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Family-owned and managed by the third generation Olsen family, the farm offers a unique selection of tailor-made activities for guests, including horseback riding trails, hands-on artisan chocolate making and other hacienda-related programs. La Danesa offers an intimate and authentic experience for those who would like to spend the night.
Reviewed By 537elizabethc
Showed us amazing hospitality - made us feel like special guest. We took advantage of all the activities - cacao growing, chocolate making, tubing, horseback riding, bicycling. Our guides were attentive and very informative. Lunch was delicious, and service was first class. Property is beautiful, and production facilities are very interesting. Only downside is that it is a very long ride from Guayaquil.
3. Kallari
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
The Kallari Chocolate Farm visit is a unique cultural experience which includes a variety of different options for guests, such as: visiting the cooperative centre, chocolate tasting presentation, Kichwa farm tour (overnight stay option), and a traditional Kichwa meal. Each guest will also have the opportunity to visit our main office to purchase our chocolate and other Amazon products.
Reviewed By christienmichaels
The Kallari chocolate tour is superb. It’s an wonderful insight into te chocolate making process in Ecuador, as well as truly authentic experience on an Ecuadorian chocolate plantation (there’s more than we just chocolate!) we went with Giovani who was a an excellent guide, and everybody on the plantation was very welcoming. They also cooked us a delicious vegetarian meal (meat is available) and afterwards we dig into some of the chocolate we made ourselves. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Tena.
4. Fundacion Iglesia de la Compania
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,974 reviews
This Jesuit church is a masterpiece of baroque and Quiteno-colonial art with lavish golden altars and gilded columns, making it one of the most ornate structures in Ecuador.
Reviewed By tomy476 - Chicago, United States
Fundación Iglesia de la Compañía is a must see visit while in Quito. The $5 entry for tourists is well worth it. From floor to ceilings the cathedral of an overload of beauty for the eyes with gold inlay everywhere, carvings, statues, murals... While there Without a guided tour I listened in on a few guided groups and would recommend doing that. If you want, this would be an ideal place for a longer silent spiritual retreat like visit to take the beauty in...
5. Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,677 reviews
Established in 1536 by Franciscan monks, this magnificent architectural masterpiece features a museum in its convent with art from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Reviewed By georgesB4777WE - Miami Beach, United States
This is the oldest church in Quito (from the 16th century) and one of the most beautiful. Though one can argue that the Jesuit one is more “uber” than this church, it, nevertheless is “uber-magnificent” also. It is relatively plain from the outside, but its baroque inside explodes and takes your breath away. The main altar and the side altars are beautifully gilded and carved. Its decorated ceilings remind me of a Moorish design, probably coming from Spain. Every inch of the interior is covered with gilt or art. A site that cannot be missed. The admission to the church is free and photos during services are prohibited. The convent and museum next door however, charges a $4 admission fee and has a separate entrance.
6. La Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,086 reviews
This large cathedral (circa 1885) features a series of sky-blue cupolas; the interior contains a magnificent altar and a famous crowned image of the Virgin Mary.
Reviewed By 68olivers
Our hotel sits on a hilltop about a mile and a half from the city center. We had a grand view of the city center of which the blue domes of this church stood out. The church is even more striking up close. Beautiful gothic arches, stained glass windows, very ornate altars that speak of days gone will greet you inside the church. For $2, you can access the stairs to the roof. The stairs are winding, narrow and at times steep. If you are fit enough, I recommend it strongly. The views are magnificent from atop the church. There are 52 churches in Cuenca- 1 for each week as our guide told us. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is one of three churches that I would recommend as a "Do Not Miss" when visiting Cuenca.
7. El Panecillo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,581 reviews
Resembling a type of small bread (panecillo), this hill makes an excellent observation point over Quito and features La Virgen del Panecillo, a majestic sculpture that can be seen from any location in the city.
Reviewed By georgesB4777WE - Miami Beach, United States
This is a hill which overlooks Quito. It is topped with a huge statue of The Virgin Mary and can be seen from the city even at night, when the statue is bathed in white light. The hill (shaped like a loaf of bread) is at Quito’s southern end (close to Old Town) and can be reached by either a city bus or via a cheap Uber ride. There is a restaurant (Pimms) on the top and there is no admission fee. The views of the city from the top are great and, in my opinion, superior to the ones from TeleferiQo. There is a $2 admission should you want to climb the stairs inside the silver aluminum statue of the Virgin. BTW, the City hop-on bus generally makes an extended stop here and you can take some wonderful pictures. A must-see!!
8. Quito Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,785 reviews
This historic district was the first city named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is noted for its narrow streets, Spanish colonial architecture and historic attractions.
Reviewed By LidiaK54 - Toronto, Canada
Quito Old Town is exceptionnaly beautiful with ist numerous churches, narrow streets, picturesque squares, amazing views. It's an incredible pleasure discovering it by foot.
9. Cerro Santa Ana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,008 reviews
Like the ugly duckling to swan tale, this once poor area was transformed into a prime tourist attraction – a 465-foot stairway flanked by colorful houses, eateries, gift shops and galleries.
Reviewed By ChristinaS2195 - Brooklyn, United States
Lovely stroll ... or hike ... depending on how you feel about the stairs. Everything there was alive with color and sound. You can easily find a $0.30 bottle of water and a $0.40 ice cream to cool you off!
10. Parque Historico Guayaquil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,664 reviews
It includes 8 hectares divided in three zones: Wild Life, Traditions and Urban - architectural, where the nature, rural and urban aspects are brought together in one concept: encouraging the environment preservation, rescue and promotion of our customs.
Reviewed By erikastanton2012 - San Diego, United States
Parque Histórico was a great place to visit, beautiful combination of history and nature, the staff and food was wonderful, weekends provide shows and demonstrations of culture, we saw cacao, coffee and banana trees, beautiful flowers and animals (rescue animals ) It is a small but it is worth it !
