We use cookies. Privacy Policy

🎒 NEW 39 Backpacker Guides Live — SE Asia, South America, Europe & more · From £12/day
← All Backpacker Guides
🎒 Backpacker Guide
🌋
South AmericaGalápagosAmazonVolcanoes

Ecuador & Galápagos

The Galápagos, the Amazon, active volcanoes and the most biodiverse country per square kilometre on earth.

South America
🦎 Galápagos Wildlife🌋 Avenue of Volcanoes🌿 Amazon Jungle🏄 Pacific Coast

Backpacking Ecuador & Galápagos

Ecuador is the most geographically diverse country in South America relative to its size. You can stand on the equator, hike an active volcano, swim with sea lions in the Galápagos, and watch pink river dolphins in the Amazon — all within one country and within 6 hours of each other. The Galápagos Islands are one of the most extraordinary places on earth.

£25–£45/day avg daily budget
Key Info
US Dollar (USD)SpanishType A/BDrive Right
10% at restaurants — common in Quito and tourist areas
Weather
Best: Jun–Sep (mainland), Dec–May (Galápagos)
Dry Season (Jun–Sep) — best for mainland hiking and the Avenue of Volcanoes
Galápagos: December–May for calm seas and swimming. June–November for cooler water and marine life.
Health
⚠️Bottled water recommended — tap water not reliable outside major hotels
Yellow Feverrequired for Amazon
Hepatitis Arecommended
Typhoidrecommended
Transport
Cruz del Sur busDomestic flightWater taxi
✈️ UIO Quito Mariscal Sucre / GYE Guayaquil for the south
Buses are very cheap and reliable between cities. Domestic flights to Galápagos from Quito or Guayaquil.
Emergency
👮 Police101
🚑 Ambulance911
🔥 Fire102
The Highlights

8 Things to Do in Ecuador & Galápagos

01
Galápagos Islands — swim with sea lions, watch blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas on the same beach
02
Cotopaxi volcano hike — the world's highest active volcano with a perfect snow cone
03
Quilotoa crater lake — the turquoise lake inside a volcanic caldera accessible by a challenging hike
04
Amazon jungle lodge at Tena or Napo — river dolphins, caimans and the extraordinary night sounds
05
Otavalo market — South America's largest indigenous market, every Saturday since pre-colonial times
06
Baños — the adventure sports capital of Ecuador, with a bungee jump next to an active volcano
07
Cuenca historic centre — the most beautiful colonial city in Ecuador
08
Cloud forest at Mindo — one of the world's great birdwatching destinations
Want It All Planned?

Get a free Ecuador & Galápagos itinerary

Tell us how long you have and we'll build a complete trip plan.

// Book Activities

Book before you go

Curated via GetYourGuide — sorted by quality not commission.

Affiliate link — same price for you. Disclosure →

Insider Knowledge

What Most Guides Don't Tell You About Ecuador & Galápagos