City: Ecuador
Top Things to do in Ecuador
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers in Ecuador, Ecuador
Coordinates: 2°00′S 77°30′W / 2.000°S 77.500°W / -2.000; -77.500
Restaurants in Ecuador
1. El Cajas National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,364 reviews
Known for its more than 275 Andean lakes and many waterfalls, this national park is a popular destination for trout fishing, rugged hiking and camping.
Reviewed By Elias_Rovielo - Sao Caetano do Sul, Brazil
As this is my last Andean country, I seriously thought if this tour would be worthwhile, the time spent to see the Andes mountains, bush (park) and lakes. I'm glad I didn't hear my mind! The tour has incredible trails around a lagoon with birds and flowers, then we go further up the high mountains to see high altitude lagoons with the reflection of the sky in them, unique high altitude forests and a lot of history. 1) First pond and complete lap around it; 2) The highest top of the park; 3) Another lagoon with a walk in the only high altitude forest; 4) Restaurant with lunch included; This shared tour was contracted with the great travel agency, Deep Ecuador Travel (Cuenca) with the fantastic guide Andrés León.
2. Cascada el Pailon (del Diablo)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,122 reviews
Follow the signs to Cascada el Pailon. Look for the colorful Hummingbird and colorful flags. Cascada el Pailón del Diablo is a spectacular natural wonder which lies on the edge of the cloud forest. At an impressive 265 feet, the thunderous waterfall emits high columns of swirling mist and showcases the untouched beauty of Ecuador. Awe-inspiring and breath-taking, the waterfall is named as one of the biggest single-drop waterfalls in Ecuador. However, there is more than just a waterfall! Brave the exciting & uniquely inclined suspension bridges, walk the beautiful riverside, explore the impressive flora and fauna and enjoy incredible up-close balconies! Only from Cascada el Pailon can the falls be seen up close from top to bottom. Come join us for our magical evening hours where nature and art unite in a beautiful light show! This colorful and interactive self-guided pathway will take you on a journey to see the waterfall in color.
Reviewed By global3adventure - Quito, Ecuador
One of the top highlights of both Banos & Ecuador is the Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron) Mother Nature's spectacular display of 3 thundering waterfalls where the Pastaza River cascades several hundred feet swirling into the rock basin. There are two entrances one from above and one from below. Wear sturdy footwear and a rain poncho as the steep steps, and paths are wet and slippery and filled with obstacles. Traversing the path into the Amazon you will encounter lush green flora, orchids, hummingbirds, and butterflies. You will cross several wooden suspension bridges, and crawl into caves behind the roaring falls. There are several balcony viewpoints along the way. The sheer height and power of the cascading water is breathtaking. Of course at the entrances there are a variety of vendors selling fruit, BBQ skewers, ice cream, & souvenirs.
3. Pro Bici
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 323 reviews
We offer excursions to Chimborazo and other snowpeaks, mountain lakes, thermal pools, rain and cloud forests and indigenous, historic and cultural sites that reveal unimagined natural and cultural wonders hidden to the common tourist.
Reviewed By AlexHesse1111
An all round amazing trip, cannot recommend enough! From the knowledge of the guides to the quality of the equipment. All the guides were extremely friendly and supportive throughout the 12 hour trip, tending to the needs and skill levels of each member of the group. They shared their vast comprehensive knowledge of the plants and different terrains we covered as well as explaining the history and spiritual aspects of Chimborazo. The bikes and safety equipment were all extremely well maintained and the advice given to deal with being at such high altitude was comprehensive and helpful!
4. Laguna Quilotoa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,194 reviews
Reviewed By nowshiva - Lismore, Australia
We hired a car, from Quito. Much better than dealing with buses etc. The roads are really good. Signs are non-existent - have your maps on your phone to guide you. Also, a tip, download a map from Maps.me for offline use, of Quilotoa. Ok, so you arrive in the town, park, and then you have some choices. You can wander around a little, you can go down to the water - hire a kayak, or just hang out. Its a steep walk back up that hill, but I believe you may be able to hire a donkey to take you back up. We chose to hike around the crater. 11km. Its almost 4,000m, so be aware thats its really hard work. Worth carrying a cannister of oxygen, which you can buy in Quito for $30. The winds are REALLY strong. So you need something to cover your ears. Hiking we warmed up, but you need clothes at the ready. It took us 6 hours, with some breaks and lunch. Bring your food and water - nothing on the route. We took the advice and went counter clockwise. There some hills to climb - a lot, and one is up and up. The path is dusty, scrabble. Very narrow in places (like, 1m), with steep cliffs falling steeply away on either side. Not for the faint hearted! It was a fantastic experience. But extremely tiring - its like walking twice the distance at sea level. Worth doing, but be prepared for an intense time. The wind was very strong, the whole day. There are some choices - at times, you can go exactly up the ride. Other times, you can go around the sides of the hills, either on the outside or inside. We started at 10am. You wouldnt want to start much later than that, if you are going to do the whole loop. We met one guy who does it regularly, who claims he can do it in 4 hours, but thats serious power walking, and knowing what you are doing. The alternative is that you might walk for say 2 hours, and then retrace your steps. I am quite fit, but by the end, I felt a little dizzy. Very satsifying though.
5. Museo Templo del Sol Pintor Ortega Maila
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7,730 reviews
The Temple of the Sun Temple Painter Ortega Maila is a masterpiece built by the indigenous painter and sculptor Ortega Maila after a great research of design and ancestral architecture to maintain his art and culture of the Andes. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour with a guide. The tour includes an aromatherapy session and coca leaf tea courtesy of the museum.
Reviewed By I2924GCdanielt - Prague, Czech Republic
Great place to visit, within the hour tour you can experience aromatherapy, coca tea, and view world-wide class paints.
6. 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.
7. Cotopaxi National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 631 reviews
Named for the highest active volcano in the world (5,897 meters), this national park is dedicated to protecting llama and other animals such as bears, wolves, puma and deer.
Reviewed By dslatts - Hinsdale, United States
We visited Quito for a few days prior to heading to Galapagos. One day Trip was to Cotopaxi National Park to hike up to the Refugio and glacier. We organized the trip with Lincoln Guaman from other Trip Advisor reviews. Lincoln did an outstanding job organizing the day hike for six of us. He helped us adjust to the altitude and climb higher than we imagined. It was a wonderful way to see the countryside around Quito along with seeing the wild horses who live at the base of the volcano.. Cotopaxi is magnificent. We wished we had more time to do more trips with Lincoln. Highly recommend using his services. He can be contacted at [email protected].
8. 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!
9. Sierra Negra
10. TeleferiQo Teleferico Quito
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,550 reviews
Reviewed By ekeav
Pick a clear day and go in the morning, before it gets busy. Beautiful views that show just how big Quito really is! Bring a jacket, its very windy at the top! The cafe is lovely with more great views.
