Ecuador
Ecuador is the gateway to the Galápagos Islands. Quito, the high-altitude capital, and Guayaquil, a hot coastal city, show just how much the climate can vary within one country. Smaller towns like Cuenca are great for a relaxed stay.
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Average temperature by month
Based on Quito · 5-year average
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Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Quito
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, sits partway up the Andes near the equator, giving it cool weather year-round. It's the country's second-largest city after Guayaquil, blending a lively downtown with highland charm.
36 sights 9 guides Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)
Guayaquil
Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and main port, located where the Gulf of Guayaquil meets the Pacific Ocean. About 250 km southwest of the capital Quito, it makes a great base for exploring the coast.
18 sights 9 guides José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE)
Cuenca
Cuenca sits in the highlands of south-central Ecuador at an elevation of 2,560 meters, giving it a refreshingly cool climate. It's considered one of Ecuador's leading highland cities.
14 sights 9 guides Mariscal Lamar International Airport (CUE)
Riobamba
Riobamba is a highland city in central Ecuador, about 200 km south of the capital Quito. Sitting at an elevation of 2,754 meters, it offers travelers cool weather throughout.
44 sights 9 guides Cotopaxi International Airport (LTX)
Ambato
Ambato is a city set in a valley of the Andes in central Ecuador. Having rebuilt itself after several earthquakes, it carries the distinct appeal of a resilient city.
3 sights 9 guides Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)
Top sights in Ecuador
Nature
Pichincha Volcano
An active volcano rising right beside Quito, with a caldera and a still-smoking crater near its summit. Trekking here lets you take in both sweeping city views and volcanic terrain.
Temples & religious sites
Cathedral of Quito
The cathedral stands southwest of Independence Square in Quito. It has served as a parish church since 1545 and is now the most prestigious Catholic cathedral in Ecuador.
Temples & religious sites
Basilica of the National Vow
This Roman Catholic basilica in Quito's old town, Ecuador, rises 83 meters high. It's a landmark visible from almost anywhere in the historic center, so you're likely to spot it while wandering the streets.
Attraction
Quito Astronomical Observatory
An astronomical research institute affiliated with Quito's National Polytechnic School, focused on astronomy and atmospheric physics. Visitors can tour the historic observatory building and take in traces of scientific history.
Temples & religious sites
Church of Saint Frinci
This Catholic church and monastery stands in front of the main square in Quito's old town. It is considered one of Ecuador's oldest and most important religious sites, with a building scale ranked among the largest in South America's historic districts.
Nature
El Panecillo
A volcanic hill rising 3,016 meters above sea level between southern and central Quito. Originally named Yavirac, it's said that a temple to the sun god once stood at its summit before the Spanish conquest.
Nature
Santay Island
An island surrounded by the Guayas River near Guayaquil, home to a modest village settled since the 1950s. It's a place to experience the river and nature just outside the city.
Temples & religious sites
Church of the Society of Jesus
A Catholic church in Quito's historic center, notable for its elaborate facade carved from solid volcanic stone. Its striking appearance has earned it the nickname "the Solomon's Temple of South America."
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