Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands Things To Do

Sandwiched between Latin American culinary giants Peru and Colombia, tiny Ecuador is often surprising when it comes to serving up tasty local fare. Traditional dishes are delightfully varied and stem from the fusion of European, African, and varied indigenous cultures, as well as the geographic differences found within the small confines of the country, namely Andean and Pacific coastal influences.

Visitors to Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands may think that getting to the islands themselves is the easy part, but there are actually more ways to travel among the 21 main isles than there are to get to the archipelago in the first place. Prop planes and all manner of boats shuttle tourists and residents alike between the islands, while taxis, bicycles, buses, and other forms of land transportation ply the island roads.

Though not as cute as colonial jewels Quito and Cuenca, Ecuador’s business mecca and largest city, tropical Guayaquil, isn’t as dull or as dangerous as its reputation may lead you to think. This nearly 500-year-old port city—older if you count the indigenous Quilca settlement already established there before the arrival of the Spanish in 1538—basks in the equatorial sun along the shores of the Guayas River near its mouth at the Pacific Ocean.

Cradled high in the Andes, in the shadow of sleeping volcano Pichincha, Quito combines historic charm and Andean culture with a unique, urbane aesthetic that enchants visitors to Ecuador’s capital city and keeps them coming back for more. At 9,350 feet above sea level, Quito’s high altitude means new arrivals should keep the urge to “do it all” in check before overexerting themselves, so a half-day Quito tour just might be the perfect low-key introduction to the city, or take a longer tour with a tasty Ecuadorian lunch.

The Galapagos Islands are a year-round destination, with something to offer every month of the year. The best time to visit depends on what you want to see and do, as well as your tolerance for the crowds.

High season follows the North American and European vacation schedule, running from June through August, and mid-December to through mid-January. Because this is the most convenient time for families to visit, make reservations well in advance. Don’t worry unduly about beaches being overcrowded, however; the national park allows only a limited number of visitors at one time, and itineraries are restricted.