Planning any large trip can feel overwhelming, but one of the hardest questions to answer is “How much will this cost?”. If you’ve never traveled long term and have only ever treated your travels as a “I’m on vacation, I can do whatever I want”, it becomes downright daunting. As I planned my five month …
Many people who come to Ecuador visit with the intention of traveling to the Galápagos Islands. However, there’s so much more to Ecuador and you could spend weeks exploring this country. But how much does it cost? In this guide, I’ll break down exactly what I spent during my three weeks in Ecuador so you …
One of the best things to do in Mindo is to visit Tarabita and hike to the waterfalls. In this park, you’ll get your choice of three different trails and seven different waterfalls. Whether you’re looking for a short trail or something more challenging, it’s a visit to Tarabita is a great way to spend …
The Otavalo Market is the largest artisan market in South America with seemingly endless blocks of merchants selling everything you can imagine. You’ll find all sorts of textiles, art prints, jewelry, dishes, and so much more. If you’re looking for souvenirs from Ecuador, this is a great place to visit. So, on my last day …
The country of Ecuador gets its name from the equator line, so it feels like you have to go visit the monument when you are in Quito. There are numerous tours that will bring you out to Mitad del Mundo, but it’s completely possible to visit Mitad del Mundo without a tour. With a little …
Cotopaxi National Park is one of the most famous places in Ecuador. So many travelers include a stop at the Cotopaxi Volcano on their trips, whether that’s a day trip or spending a night in one of the lodges near the base of the volcano. While you could just admire the view of Cotopaxi (if …
Quito is the capital of Ecuador and a fun city to explore. It’s the city where I saw the most international tourists, but since so many people are heading to the Galápagos Islands, many end up spending at least one day in Quito during their trip. From colonial architecture to seemingly endless churches and cathedrals …
The last day of the Quilotoa Loop involves hiking from Chugchilan to Quilotoa. The first two days of the trek are training for today. It’s not only the longest day of the trail, but it’s also the hardest. Today has minimal downhill and more than half of the trail is just one very long climb …
The second day of the Quilotoa Loop involves hiking from Isinlivi to Chugchilan. I found it to be a bit harder than day one, but it’s still pretty manageable. Like every other day on this trail, you’ll hike down to the valley before ascending to an even higher elevation in the mountains of Ecuador. Here’s …
The first day of the Quilotoa Loop is a hike from Sigchos to Isinlivi. It’s the shortest of the three days spent hiking on the Quilotoa Loop, but it still comes with a decent amount of elevation gain. Walk through farmlands as you descend into the valley before climbing back up the mountains as you …
