Ecuador may be a relatively small country, but it holds loads of amazing experiences for travelers to enjoy. There are so many awesome things to do in Ecuador to fill weeks or even months of travel! The vast diversity of landscapes lends to so many different points of interest to seek out.

Serene beaches line Ecuador’s coastline.

The glacier-capped Andes loom over the country.

A lush jungle environment thrives in both the Amazon basin and Ecuador’s cloud forests.

Then toss in the many charming colonial cities dotting the natural landscapes.

And let’s not forget about the incredible underwater world of the Galapagos!

It’s this amazing diversity that supports the long-held tourism slogan “All you need is Ecuador.” Each different environment holds so many intriguing things to do in Ecuador. Yet with this abundance of recreation and culture to explore, it can be difficult to narrow down exactly what to do in Ecuador.

So we’ve now spent a total of six months traveling across the country to seek the very best places to visit in Ecuador. We’ve written this article to offer travel ideas and suggestions for those who may be considering a trip to Ecuador.

The best things to do in Ecuador will vary to each person, depending on interests. Some may have a penchant for cultural exploration. Whereas others may be more interested in Ecuador’s nature. Some may favor relaxing at Ecuador’s beaches or luxury spas. Others may prefer climbing a volcano or mountain biking down it!

There’s something for everyone! We wrote this roundup of what to do in Ecuador to highlight the best the county has to offer across each of these spectrums. It’s our hope that this list of the best places to visit will provide travel inspiration for a trip to Ecuador.

20 Best Things to Do in Ecuador

This guide focuses on the things to do that make Ecuador special. You’ll also see exactly where to go in Ecuador to find the country’s best attractions.

Here is an interactive map that pinpoints each of the best places to travel in mainland Ecuador mentioned in this guide.

 

1) Seek Wildlife Encounters in the Galapagos Islands

Lying off Ecuador’s coast, the Galapagos Islands are like nowhere else on earth. This island chain has been untouched for centuries. Visitors will now find it teeming with unique wildlife and endemic species, not found anywhere else. Nature abounds both above and below the ocean’s surface throughout the Galapagos!

A visit to Galapagos National Park can be like wandering through a living museum. Visitors regularly encounter sea lions and iguanas by simply walking around the port or beaches. But that’s not all. Some common Galapagos wildlife encounters include:

• Gazing upon wild flamingos,
• Swimming with sea lions,
• Watching wild penguins frolicking in a bay,
• Stumbling across both marine iguanas & land iguanas,
• Snorkeling with sharks, including hammerheads,
• Gliding past dozens of sea turtles,
• Visiting wild Galapagos tortoises,
• Diving with giant manta rays,
• Coming face-to-face with blue-footed boobies,
• Spotting Galapagos hawks, finches, frigate birds, among other endemic bird species,
• and possibly even having a rare encounter with a whale shark!

They’re all here in the Galapagos.

The Galapagos Islands are undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Ecuador. And the famed islands are now more accessible for travelers than ever. Even those who are traveling on a budget can make a Galapagos trip a reality.

Four of the Galapagos Islands boast affordable hotels. So visitors can plan out their own daily adventures around these inhabited islands. Many of the aforementioned wildlife encounters are easily possible to do for free. Yet those who splurge for day tours or cruise packages can reach further-flung locations where more wildlife awaits.

For in-depth information on planning a Galapagos adventure, be sure to read our detailed Travel Guide to the islands. It reveals

• where to find the Galapagos’s most famous wildlife residents (for free!),
• where to find seafood dinners for less than $5 and hotels for $35,
• how to visit the islands independently,
• how to organize a cheap liveaboard Galapagos cruise, and
• how much a Galapagos trip can cost.

Open in a separate tab to read later: How to Travel the Galapagos on a Budget.

2) Climb a Volcano in Ecuador

There are dozens of volcanos throughout the country. And those who are fit for the challenge should definitely put summitting a volcano on their list of things to do in Ecuador.

Some of Ecuador’s volcanos are fairly accessible for a day hike, while others require technical climbing skills. The following are some of Ecuador’s most notable volcanos to consider a trek up.

Volcán Chimborazo: Summiting Ecuador’s Highest Point

Rising 6,263 meters (nearly 4 miles high), Volcán Chimborazo isn’t just the tallest mountain in Ecuador. This inactive stratovolcano is the furthest point on Earth’s surface from the center of Earth. When measuring the height from the earth’s center, rather than sea level, Chimborazo clocks in even higher than Everest.

This happens because there is something known as the equatorial bulge. The earth is actually a bit wider around its midsection, caused by Earth’s rotation. Because of this, Volcan Chimborazo to be the closest point on planet earth to outer space.

Summiting Chimborazo is a challenging high-altitude ascent requiring technical ice-climbing gear. Adventurers will also need at least two days to complete the overnight summit. The town of Riobamba acts as the staging ground for this climb. It’s here that adventure operators are able to assist and guide climbers.

For a less extreme challenge on Chimborazo, it’s also possible to take a short day hike towards the summit. Whether hiking independently or as part of a tour, visitors can ascend to a small pond at an elevation of 5,100 meters high (16,732 feet). For more info about hiking Volcan Chimborazo, read the Chimborazo section of our Riobamba Travel Guide.

Hiking Volcán Sierra Negra: Most Active Volcano in the Galapagos

Volcanos aren’t only limited to the Andes of Ecuador. The Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island is the most active volcano in the island chain. And this volcano can make for a convenient day hike in the Galapagos! Well, that is, when this volcano is not erupting. The volcano is quite active, having last erupted in the summer of 2018.

Sierra Negra is actually one of the widest active volcanos on earth! The caldera stretches out 9.3 kilometers wide at one point, making it the largest of all Galapagos volcanos. It’s so wide that it’s virtually impossible to photograph the entire volcano.

This 16 km (10-mile) hike up and around a portion of Sierra Negra’s rim is a pretty inspiring thing to do in Ecuador! Trekking across the black volcanic rock feels like walking on another planet. The otherworldly views that hikers are rewarded with from the top make the sweat-inducing trek totally worth it.

Hiking Volcan Sierra Negra can be included as part of multi-day Galapagos tours. Yet those traveling the islands independently can find half-day hiking tours of Sierra Negra in the town of Puerto Villamil. It’s $35 per person, including a guide and transportation to the trailhead.

Trek to the Glaciers of the Cotopaxi Volcano

This glacier-capped Volcán Cotopaxi is one of the tallest active volcanoes in the world! It’s also the 2nd highest point in Ecuador, with a summit is 5,897 meters high. That’s an elevation of about 3.6 miles in altitude!

To reach the summit of Cotopaxi, it takes a grueling overnight ascent. Sometimes it’s even off-limits due to heightened volcanic activity.

But a day trek to Cotopaxi’s base camp is a more accessible consideration. Hikers can reach an elevation of 4,864 meters, which is around the snowline and where the glaciers begin. Such Cotopaxi day trips can be organized from the town of Latacunga or Quito. For more info on reaching this volcano from Quito, check out the Cotopaxi section of our Quito Travel Guide.

3) Explore Ecuador’s UNESCO-listed Historic Centers: Quito & Cuenca

Ecuador has two historic centers recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their long-standing cultural value. Roaming around the ornate buildings of the centuries-old streets can make visitors feel like they’ve gone back to a different era. 

Explore Quito’s Historic Center

Quito is said to have the best-preserved, least altered historic center in all of Latin America. It’s this recognition that led Quito to become one of the first cities in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, back in 1978. (Read full UNESCO description: here.)

The historic center of Quito delivers not only cultural significance, but also lots of charm. Despite earthquakes and modernization, the baroque buildings in Quito’s Old Town remain largely intact. It’s enchanting to wander through bustling South American capital amongst the beautiful architecture that’s remained here for nearly a half-millennium!

Grand plazas open up to historic churches while quaint cafes line the streets to museums that further detail the history of the city. Quito’s historic center is a fascinating place to wander around and deserves being firmly placed on any Ecuador itinerary. Read more about Quito’s Old Town in our 20 Best Things to Quito Travel Guide.

Explore the Historic Center of Cuenca

Cuenca’s charming colonial streets exude European flair. Its nickname as the “Athens of Ecuador” is not just a reflection of Cuenca’s architecture, cathedrals, and ruins. It’s also a reference to Cuenca being a long-held hub of culture, art, and artisanry.

It’s this history and traditions that lend to Cuenca’s UNESCO designated status. Cuenca’s historic center is recognized for its centuries-old colonial architecture. The city planning outlined for Cuenca has been respected and followed for more than 400 years!

Read further about all there is to do in Cuenca’s historic center and beyond within our full travel guide about the 20 Best Things to do in Cuenca.

4) Float through the Amazon Jungle

Eastern Ecuador covers a wide swath of the Amazon Rainforest and holds many tributaries to the Amazon River. It takes some effort to reach this remote jungle environment. Yet those who do so are rewarded with awesome Amazonian experiences.

Within the Ecuadorian Amazon, it’s possible to go fishing for piranhas, spot pink river dolphins, meet with a local shaman, and search for anacondas.

In addition to common reptilian life throughout the jungle, visitors can also find monkeys, tapirs, or even an elusive jaguar. This is all set amongst the lush rainforest setting with its enormous tree canopies. The Ecuadorian Amazon is also home to remote native tribes, which makes for interesting visits and cultural exchange.

It’s possible to explore Ecuador’s Amazon on your own. Yet the Amazon can be best approached as part of a tour and a lodge stay experience. Reserva de Cuyabeno is one of the best areas to see wildlife.

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve has an assortment of jungle lodges for all budgets. Such tours of Cuyabeno depart from Lago Agrio, accessible from Quito by bus or flight. Expect to pay about $100 per day for such tours, inclusive of meals and accommodation. For example, check out this highly-rated 4-Day Stay at the Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge or this 5-Day Cuyabeno Eco-Lodge Adventure.

A DIY trip to Yasuni National Park can be attempted by intrepid travelers. But doing so requires time, a sense of adventure, and comfortability with remote independent travel. Yasuni National Park is located along the Napo River, in a remote location way out towards the Peruvian border.

It can take a few days of busing and boat rides to reach the isolated village of Nuevo Rocafuerte. From there, guides are available to delve further into the National Park.

You can read more about our Amazon journey to Yasuni National Park and beyond here: An Adventure Down the Napo River. Yet ultimately we suggest a Cuyabeno lodge stay as a much more complete experience in the Amazon.

5) Take a Scenic Rail Journey through the Andes

Ecuador must have some of the most beautiful train trips in the world. There are currently six different scenic train journeys to embark on throughout the country. To be clear, these rail trips are not used for transportation, but rather as a day excursions that are a journey unto themselves.

These roundtrip routes venture to an interesting destination, then return back. There is some stunning scenery all along these routes. Stunning scenery lines the rails as the trains chug along through the Valley of Volcanos, past farmland, or down into canyons.

And these rail trips are all very affordable too, ranging from $25-$33. We suggest the Devil’s Nose and the Ice Train as the best of Ecuador’s train rides.

Ride the Devil’s Nose: The Most Difficult Railway Ever Built

The most famous of Ecuador’s train routes is the Nariz del Diablo, or Devil’s Nose. It has been dubbed the “most difficult railway ever built!”

This was a critical section of Ecuador’s railway constructed over a hundred years ago to connect the coast with Quito. Yet the engineering challenge faced was to somehow lay tracks up a vertical cliff measuring 765-meter (2,500-foot) high.

Thousands of laborers died during the rail line’s construction. Hence, the pointy mountain taunting building efforts became known as the Devil’s Nose. The engineering feat was finally pulled off by developing a series of switchbacks. The train actually overshoots the tracks, then reverses to zigzag up the side of the mountain cliff.

This was once a rugged rail journey through Ecuador in which passengers were permitted to sit atop the train cars until an unfortunate head-loss incident occurred (yikes!). So now passengers are only permitted inside the train.

It’s a fascinating look into Ecuador’s rail history, rolling across this engineering feat. But this scenic trip through the Andes is also an exhilarating ride. Grab a seat on the right side of the train to look out the window, straight down that sheer cliff.

The Devil’s Nose train journey can be accessed from the town of Alausi and costs $33 for the half-day trip. For more information, schedule, and booking, see TrenEcuador.

Ride the Ice Train around Chimborazo to Meet a Living Legend

The Tren de Hielo I, or the Ice Train, is another fascinating rail journey to embark on in Ecuador. Winding through the Ecuadorian Andes, the train’s windows offer sweeping views of Volcán Chimborazo. On a clear day, passengers are able to gaze upon Ecuador’s highest mountain throughout the ride.

But the highlight of the Tren de Hielo is the stop in Urbina. It’s Ecuador’s highest train station, at 3,609 meters in altitude. Yet the real treasure here isn’t its high elevation. It’s for the rare opportunity to meet Baltazar Ushca.

The 75-year-old (in 2019) man is known as the last ice merchant. For the past 60 years, he’s been climbing up to the “ice mine” on Chimborazo every week to harvest glacier ice that he then sells to the markets in Riobamba.

Ushca is the last person known in Ecuador to continue practicing this lost trade of ice harvesting. It’s so fascinating that global documentaries have been made about him. So Ushca has now garnered local celebrity status. And he still makes the rigorous trek up the side of Chimborazo.

The Ice Train is priced at $25 for the day trip, plus lunch at your own expense. For more about this local legend and other stops on the Ice Train route, browse the Ice Train section of our Riobamba Travel Guide.

Ecuador’s Other Scenic Rail Trips

In addition to the Devil’s Nose and the Ice Train, there are currently four more rail excursions to take in Ecuador.

• Tren de la Libertad: Journey from Ibarra through many tunnels to reach Salinas. Here, Afro-Ecuadorian culture is explored.
• Tren de Hielo 2: The bus-like train travels from Ambato to Urbina to meet Baltazar Uscha. There’s also stops at farming communities for shopping and lunch.
• Tren de los Volcanos: This train from Quito heads to the base of the Cotopaxi Volcano for a short walk. Many other volcanos are passed during the scenic route.
• Tren de la Dulzura: This train from the outskirts of Guayaquil focuses on the farming of cocoa and sugarcane. After reaching Naranjito, there’s an optional trek to in the cloud forest to a waterfall.

6) Admire Ecuador’s Best Waterfalls

Given the many rivers flowing from the Andes, hundreds of gorgeous waterfalls rush throughout Ecuador. Take the impressive Giron waterfall, for example, pictured below. Yet the following suggests some of Ecuador’s best and most notable waterfalls to seek out during a trip.

See San Rafael Waterfall: Highest in Ecuador

Dropping a staggering 150-meters (492 feet), San Rafael Falls is recognized as the highest waterfall in Ecuador. The thunderous roar of the falls can be heard while approaching down the 1.5-kilometer trails.

The San Rafael Waterfall is free to enter and is located on the route between Quito and the Amazon. The out-of-the-way location does take some effort to reach. It’s best approached from the town of Baeza. From there, a bus heading towards Lago Agrio can drop passengers off near the trailhead to the waterfall.

Visit Palion del Diablo Waterfall: Among Ecuador’s Most Popular and Beautiful

Translated as the Devil’s Cauldron, Palion del Diablo is likely the most popular waterfall to visit in Ecuador and arguably the most scenic!

The short trail to the waterfall includes lots of stairs and fun suspension bridges to traverse over. This adds to the adventure through a narrow canyon leading to the waterfall’s viewpoint. Yet soon enough, the 80-meter waterfall comes into view, along with the misty spray it that regularly soaks visitors.

This waterfall is easily accessed from Baños by bus, taxi, or cycling, and imposes a modest $2 entry fee.

Visit Nambillo Waterfall Sanctuary

This waterfall sanctuary in the Mindo Cloud Forest holds one of the greatest concentration of waterfalls in Ecuador. There are at least fifteen different waterfalls found throughout the Nambillo Waterfall Sanctuary! The largest waterfall is the 50-meter (164 foot) Cascada Reina (Queen Waterfall).

Continuing onward, hikers will encounter a series of a half-dozen more falls, each within a 10-minute walk of each other. To cool off after all that hiking, wear a bathing suit to soak in the natural pools that form below the falls. Entrance to the Nambillo Waterfall Sanctuary is $5, which includes a thrilling ride on a tarabita cableway to access the hiking trails. More information can be found in the Nambillo section of our Mindo Travel Guide.

7) Discover Ecuador’s Ancient Inca Ruins 

Ecuador holds many Inca ruins scattered across the country. One such archeological site can be found from right within the colonial city of Cuenca.  The Pumapungo ruins in Cuenca are believed to be a part of the ancient city of Tomebamba that was first inhabited by the Cañari people before the Incas overtook it for use as a fort. It’s easily accessed in town and is free to enter.

Part of the ancient Inca Trail (a popular pursuit in Peru to Machu Picchu) also runs through Ecuador. A 40-kilometer section of the UNESCO-listed Camino de Inca (Inca Trail) can be traversed from Alchupallas to Ingapirca. Ancient bridges, crumbling structures, and former Incan towns are passed along the way across this centuries-old trail through the Andes. Experienced trekkers with gear and navigation can give it a go on their own. But Ecuador’s Inca Trail is best approached as a guided trek, like this one.

Ecuador’s Inca Trail ultimately leads to the ruins of Ingapirca, which can also be accessed by roadway. Ingapirca is the best-preserved and largest Inca ruin site in Ecuador. The stone terraces, walkways, and buildings at Ingapirca are punctuated by the impressive Sun Temple. Slits in the temple align perfectly with the sun on solstice days.

Entrance to the Ingapirca is just $2 and the ruin site is located about a 2-hour drive from Cuenca, accessible by public bus or small-group tour. Regardless of how you arrive at Ingapirca, a short guided tour of the ruins is included upon a visit. Afterward, visitors can walk down a portion of an Inca trail and visit the onsite museum. For more info on getting to these ruins, see the Ingapirca section of our Cuenca Travel Guide.

8) Relax among Ecuador’s Best Beaches

Ecuador has some world-class beaches, along its Pacific coastline and even throughout the Galapagos Islands. Sunbathers and surfers can both have fun in the sun across Ecuador’s many picturesque playas.

From natural beaches, to resort beaches, to party beaches and laidback surf towns, there’s a beach for everyone in Ecuador.

Laidback Surf Beaches in Ecuador

Montañita is a fun-loving surfing town full of reggae vibes. It’s a party spot too and a popular stopover on Ecuador’s backpacking trail. Canoa is another chilled-out town along the coast with great surf. It also boasts one of the longest beaches in Ecuador and is scenically backed by looming cliffs.

Resort Beach Living in Ecuador

Salinas is Ecuador’s premier beach resort town. This beachside city often receives comparisons to Miami. It boasts five-star hotels, various tourist attractions, and vibrant clubs. Within easy reach of Guayaquil, Salinas can be a great escape from the city or to warm up after an Andes adventure. It’s also a good place to go whale watching!

Best Natural Beaches

The beaches throughout the Galapagos comprise the best natural beaches in Ecuador. There are many of them, all with a different flair. From Playa Mann on Isla Cristobal to Puerto Villamil Beach on Isla Isabela.

Yet it’s Tortuga Bay that made Tripadvisor’s list for Top 10 Beaches in the World, and deservedly so! This scenic stretch of coastline can be found on Isla Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands. It’s never very crowded. At least not by humans. Sea lions and iguanas usually outnumber people here. There’s can be decent surf here too!

9) Hike to one of Ecuador’s Spectacular Crater Lakes

Ecuador boasts three massively impressive crater lakes! Each one is a visual spectacle, special in its own merits. The Quilotoa Crater, El Altar, and Laguna Cuicocha should each be considered based upon location and the effort involved to reach.

The Quilotoa Crater and Laguna Cuicocha can be accessed by bus or tour. But trekking around the craters is highly recommended. Meanwhile, El Altar is more remote and can only be reached by hiking in.

Hike Ecuador’s Most Popular Trekking Route: Quilotoa Loop

Quilotoa’s gorgeous three-kilometer wide caldera is a spectacular sight to see. This former volcano collapsed from an eruption, estimated to have occurred about 600 years ago. It now lays filled with water, transformed as a deep crater lake. It’s easily possible to trek down into the Quilotoa crater as a day trip from Quito. To approach Quilotoa Crater this way, read this day trips section to our Quito Travel Guide.

But for a more complete trek around the Quilotoa Crater, consider embarking on the 3-day Quilotoa Loop trek. This 34-kilometer trek is along a well-worn trail that connects farming communities. It’s in these Andean villages where hostels are found, offering comfy places to sleep and homecooked meals to eat. So packs can stay light!

This is Ecuador’s most popular trekking route and one of the most enjoyable multiday treks we’ve completed in South America. If interested, be sure to read our detailed instructions and Guide to Trekking the Quilotoa Loop: The Cheap & Easy Way.

Climb to the Rim of El Altar for High Andes Adventure

El Altar is a collapsed volcano near Riobamba that now contains a beautiful crater lake known as Laguna Amarilla. The El Altar Crater is also part of Sangay National Park. That’s recognized as Ecuador’s only other natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, right alongside the Galapagos Islands.

The trek to El Altar takes 2-3 days to complete the 35-kilometers roundtrip hike. But beware that it is more challenging than the aforementioned Quilotoa Loop. The trek to El Altar is more remote, more grueling, often muddy, more planning is involved, and hikers must pack in all of their food and supplies. Yet the payoff for this extra effort is very rewarding.

For more about the trekking here, check out the El Altar section of our Riobamba Travel Guide.

Trek around this Gorgeous “Guinea Pig” Lake: Laguna Cuicocha

This stunning slice of nature is the result of yet another exploded volcano, occurring over 3,000 years ago. Although the two islands scenically popping out from the middle of the lake were formed during subsequent eruptions. Those islands are thought to resemble the backs of two guinea pigs. Hence the name of this lake, Cuicocha, which means “guinea pig lake” in the indigenous Kichwa language.

This impressive crater lake is impossibly blue on a clear day. Laguna Cuicocha is accessible as a day excursion from Quito that also includes a visit to the Otavalo markets.

Yet those who visit by day trip may only have enough time to gaze out upon the crater lake. If staying in nearby Otavalo or Cotacachi, it’s possible to reach the crater lake by public bus and taxi.  That will provide visitors enough time to trek the entire 14-km perimeter of the crater lake and even take a boat ride around the namesake islands.

10) Go Birdwatching in one of the Best Birding Destinations in the World: Mindo

Ecuador holds so many awesome birdwatching opportunities throughout the country.

In the Galapagos, birders can find blue-footed boobies, endemic Galapagos hawks, finches, frigate birds, and more. In the Andes, some travelers are lucky enough to spot an Andean Condor. In the Amazon, toucans and colorful parrots thrive. Yet there’s another destination that is renown across the world for its vast birding opportunities.

The Mindo Cloud Forest is one of the premier birding destinations on earth!

More than 500 different types of birds have been spotted in Mindo. In fact, Mindo regularly holds the annual world record for the most bird species counted within a 24-hour period. Birders travel to Mindo specifically searching for varieties of toucans, parrots, quetzals, and even umbrellabirds!

Yet one of the most sought-after birds to spot in Mindo is the Andean cock-of-the-rock, also known locally as gallo de la peña. This elusive red bird is known for its early-morning lek. That’s a song-and-dance males perform as a competitive courting ritual to impress the females.

Even for those not into birding, Mindo can be a perfect place for beginners to give it a try. Grab a pair of binoculars and set off on one of the many birding tours that are offered through the area. Yet it’s also possible to go hiking through the cloud forest on your own in an attempt to spot some of Mindo’s avian life. And it takes no effort at all to spot the many hummingbirds buzzing around.

For more info about birding in Mindo, be sure to check out our complete Mindo Travel Guide to the Cloud Forest.

11) Mountain Bike Down the Andes Mountains

Ecuador has some awesome downhill bike rides for adventure-seekers who want to fly down the Andes on two wheels! There are great opportunities to rent bikes in Ecuador or join a cycling day tour through some of the most scenic locations. (1) Mountain biking down Chimborazo, (2) though the Waterfall Route from Baños, and (3) down the Cotapaxi Volcano round out our top three suggestions for biking adventures in Ecuador.

Mountain Biking Down Chimborazo: Ecuador’s Tallest Mountain

Trekking up Chimborazo can be a fun thing to do in Ecuador. Yet we’d argue that an even bigger thrill is to go mountain biking down this famous volcano.

The 40-km route is almost entirely downhill. Little peddling is required. Along the gravity-driven descent down the single-track, riders pass by a scenic canyon, and ancient Inca barracks. Bikers also glide by friendly vicuñas, a relative to llamas and alpacas. It’s an awesome thrill that we recommend as the best of Ecuador’s many downhill mountain biking descents.

Expect to spend about $65 for this all-day adventure from Riobamba. For more info, browse through the Chimborazo section of our Riobamba Travel Guide and check out the video, above.

The Waterfall Route from Baños to Puyo

Setting off from the town of Baños is a scenic yet harrowing downhill road known as the Ruta de las Cascadas, or Waterfall Route. It plummets down the Andes and into the Amazon.

It’s a thrilling ride and passes by numerous canyon, cliffs, and waterfalls as the landscape transitions from mountains to jungle. There are many stops along the way, with viewpoints, waterfalls, ziplines, and other adventure pursuits. The most notable attraction is the Palion del Diablo waterfall, mentioned earlier in this list of things to do in Ecuador.

The Waterfall Route mountain biking trip can be done independently using bikes rented in Baños ($5-$10). Just be careful, as bikes share the road with cars most of the way down this well-traffic