2 Weeks In Ecuador: Routes, Itineraries & Guides! (2023)

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So you’re planning to spend 2 weeks in Ecuador? Yay! How exciting. Now comes the hard part – the planning!

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to make the most of every moment in Ecuador. Every bucket list trip, adventurous activity, hidden gem and type of wildlife will need to be sought out.

But planning a 2 week Ecuador route and trying to include everything by yourself can be overwhelming (I’m exhausted just thinking about it).

So that’s where I come in. After travelling Latin America for nine months, and spending considerable time in Ecuador, I’ve been able to put together the perfect 2-week itineraries.

But I know we’re all different. We have different budgets, wants and needs – so I’ve given you not one, not two, but three ideal 2-week routes to explore Ecuador.

So, let’s get started, get planning and get you to Ecuador!

Still got a question about spending 2 weeks in Ecuador? Let me know over on Instagram or shoot me an email at jennie(@)jenniewanders.com!

🇪🇨 Other Ecuador posts:

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Amazon Tours Ecuador — ***A dream come true in the Amazon Rainforest!***

2 Weeks In Ecuador: A Summary

As previously mentioned, I’ve written three different routes to explore Ecuador to its fullest within two weeks. The problem is, even though Ecuador is a relatively small country in South America, there’s a lot to see.

From the Galapagos, the wildlife capital of the world, to the depths of the Amazon Rainforest in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, to hiking Cotopaxi, the second most active volcano in the country and visiting Quito, one of the oldest cities in South America; your trip is bound to be action-packed.

When looking at the following itineraries, take into consideration what kind of traveller you are.

Would you rather go slow, take in the history and fully immerse yourself in the Ecuadorean culture? (Well, as fully as you can in 2 weeks).

Or would you rather zip around the adventure spots and head straight to the Galapagos?

All three Ecuador itineraries can be swapped, changed, combined, mixed up and altered to suit you. I’m just here to tell you the basics.

🚎 If you’re not sure about getting around Ecuador, skip to the section ‘getting around’ for information on buses, private transfers, shuttles and more. Getting around the country isn’t too difficult, but it helps to have a route planned.

💸 Worried about budgeting for Ecuador? These itineraries are aimed at a mid-range budget traveller. We’re not cooking pasta with grated cheese in a hostel kitchen, but we’re also not staying in a 5* luxury Hilton hotel. They’re itineraries for the everyday, middle-of-the-road traveller (but if you need more info on budgets, skip to the ‘budget’ section).

Frog Concert Mindo — ***2 Weeks In Ecuador***

2 Weeks In Ecuador: The Routes

All routes start and end in Quito. This is the capital of Ecuador and is the easiest place to get an international flight in and out of the country.

There is also an international airport in Guayaquil, so if you end up closer to Guayaquil than Quito, you may want to consider onward travel from there. As I said, chop and change as much as you need!

Route 1: The Ecuador Basics

🗺️ Quito > Mindo > The Amazon Rainforest > Quito > Otavalo > Cotopaxi > Banos > Quito

Nights 1, 2: Start your 2 weeks in Ecuador in Quito, the capital city. I recommend staying at either Community Hostel (they do the best free walking tours) or Viajero Hostel if you want to be close to the Historic Centre.

Nights 3, 4: Travel two hours north (more info on Quito to Mindo routes here) to Mindo, Ecuador’s beautiful cloud forest. Spend two nights exploring the rainforest, hiking to waterfalls and spotting some of the world’s rarest birds.

Nights 5, 6, 7: Head back to Quito from Mindo early in the morning, as that night you’ll be off on an adventure of a lifetime – to the Amazon Rainforest! Your transfer from Quito to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve will pick you up at around 11.30/12 am that night, so there’s no need to book accommodation. I recommend booking the tour through Community Hostel, as you can hang out in their communal areas until the bus picks you up. For more information about the Amazon tour, check out my full Cuyabeno guide.

Nights 8, 9: You’ll be exhausted by this point, but the show must go on! Your Amazon transfer will drop you back in Quito at around 1am/midnight, so make sure to have another night at Community Hostel booked. The following day, take a day trip to the historic market town of Otavalo. Either stay there overnight or head back for a night in Quito.

Night 10: The next day, book either a day or overnight tour to Cotopaxi. The most active volcano in Ecuador, it’s a sight you don’t want to miss! All tours include transfers to and from Cotopaxi, but you can find out more about how to get to Cotopaxi from Quito here.

Nights 11, 12, 13: The adventure continues – you’re now off to Banos! Known as the adventure capital of Ecuador, you can hike, zipline, tube, jump, canyon, skydive and party your way around this small village surrounded by jungle. Stay a few nights to delve into some of the best bucket list activities in the area.

Night 14: *cry*, it’s the end of your incredible Ecuador trip. Either make your way back to Quito or Guayaquil (find out how to make the Banos > Quito or Banos to Guayaquil journey here) or start your journey to your next destination.

Need to know where to stay? Check out my detailed accommodation recommendations here!

Quito to Cotopaxi — ***2 Weeks In Ecuador***

Route 2: Speeding to the Galapagos

🗺️ Quito > Cotopaxi > Guayaquil > The Galapagos Islands

Nights 1, 2: Explore Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Again, I recommend staying at either Community Hostel (they do the best free walking tours) or Viajero Hostel if you want to be close to the Historic Centre. If you’re visiting Cotopaxi next, you might want to stay at Secret Garden Hostel for an organised tour.

Night 3: Take an overnight tour to Cotopaxi with Secret Garden Hostel. This includes transfers and accommodation, so you don’t need to worry about a thing!

Night 4, 5: Travel to Guayaquil, the biggest city in Ecuador. Walk around the historic streets and soak in a smidge of urban life. And get ready, you’re off to one of the world’s most epic destinations next.

Nights 6-14: You’re off to the Galapagos! You might think the duration I’ve put is too long, but even backpackers on a budget tend to spend at least seven days in the Galapagos. It’s just too expensive and far away to spend any less time there, and I’m sure you want to make the most of it! Check out the three main islands; Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal. It costs an arm and a leg, but it’s worth it!

At the end of your Galapagos trip, you will need to fly back to Guayaquil (or Quito, wherever you would prefer). There are currently no boats travelling from the Galapagos to the mainland.

Don’t forget to check out my Ecuador accommodation recommendations here!

Ecuador Itinerary 3 Weeks — ***The Galapagos – 2 Weeks In Ecuador***

Route 2: The Adventure Seeker

🗺️ Quito > Cotopaxi > Banos > Cuenca > Guayaquil > Galapagos

Night 1: Make a quick stop in Ecuador’s capital, Quito. I recommend staying at the Secret Garden Hostel, as you can book your next day’s travel with them to Cotopaxi.

Night 2: Spend the evening roasting marshmallows over the fire at the Secret Garden Hostel in Cotopaxi, and your days hiking the active volcano and feeding alpacas. You can check out how to travel from Quito to Cotopaxi here.

Nights 3, 4, 5: When you’ve finished in Cotopaxi, head to Banos. Banos is the adventure capital of Ecuador, and you can test your limits with ziplining, canyoning, skydiving and hiking through the rainforest.

Night 6, 7: Next lies a trip to the beautiful city of Cuenca. Try some local food, delve into the Ecuadorean culture and enjoy the city life for a night. You can check out how to travel from Banos to Cuenca here.

Night 8: You’re up and moving again (sorry, but you only have 2 weeks!), and this time it’s to Guayaquil. Guayaquil is the ‘gateway to the Galapagos’, so you’re really only here for one reason! Either stay in Guayaquil for the night, or book an afternoon flight to the Galapagos.

Nights 9-14: Time for the Galapagos! Swim with sea lions, spot giant swimming iguanas, admire the beautiful stingrays and have the adventure of a lifetime.

At the end of your Galapagos trip, you will need to fly back to Guayaquil (or Quito, wherever you would prefer). There are currently no boats travelling from the Galapagos to the mainland.

Quito to Banos — ***Banos – 2 Weeks In Ecuador***

Other locations to consider when in Ecuador

We covered all of the basics when it comes to travelling around Ecuador, but if you’re eager for more, here are some other buzzing Ecuador locations.

🇪🇨 Montanita: An energetic and wild backpacker town ideal for beachside parties. It’s located on the equator line, so expect hot hot hot temperatures!

🇪🇨 Ingapirca: A destination for those wanting to know more about Ecuador’s history and ancient ruins.

Getting around Ecuador

Before our visit to Ecuador, I did have concerns about getting around. Would it be necessary to rent a car? Are the buses safe? Are taxis or private transfers easy to book?

Luckily, getting around Ecuador is not as hard as you think! You can even forget public buses if that’s not your thing. I’ve found backpackers commonly take the secure, dependable, and modern shuttle buses in Ecuador (which is what we preferred).

For those with two weeks in Ecuador, I recommend shuttles, public buses and private transfers to get around the country. Shuttles and private transfers can be easily pre-booked online, or via your hostel.

Even better than this, most Ecuador tours run excursions that include transport in the price. For example, the Amazon Rainforest (Cuyabeno) or visiting Cotopaxi from Quito can both be done as tours with included shuttles or private transfers.

Need a bit of help getting around Ecuador? Check out these journey-specific blog posts:

Budget for 2 weeks in Ecuador

So, how much money do you need to travel around Ecuador for 2 weeks? The truth is, it depends.

It depends on a lot of factors, such as the type of traveller you are, what kind of activities you want to do, the accommodations you’ll stay in and of course; whether you’ll visit the Galapagos or not.

💸 For a budget backpacker on a shoestring budget: I recommend taking at least £50 ($60 USD) per day. This includes staying in a budget dorm room, cooking most of your own food or buying street food, taking public buses and doing mostly free tours. Unfortunately, this won’t cover a trip to the Galapagos.

🤑 Or if you’re a mid-range traveller (like we are): I recommend a little more than this. Take an average of £80 ($90 USD) per day. This includes staying in Airbnbs and hotels, booking tours like the Amazon Rainforest and getting private transfers. Again, this does not cover the Galapagos.

⚠️ The Galapagos can be done on a budget but needs specific additional savings and planning.

	Accommodation (per night)	Food (per day)	Activities (some activities are free!)	Average daily spend
Low-budget backpacker	Shared dorm: £8-15	£10-30	£0-50+	£50
Mid-range backpacker	Private room: £40-60	£30-60	£0-80+	£80

Ecuador’s average costs

Best time to visit Ecuador

Ecuador typically has a warm climate with average temperatures ranging from 22-25°C (70-77°F) year-round. The mountainous regions maintain a temperate climate throughout the year, while the rainforests and jungle areas have a tropical climate with hot and humid conditions.

Tourists visit Ecuador year-round, as there isn’t a specific “best” time to go. You can explore the country at any time of the year and have great weather.

August tends to be the warmest month, while February is typically the coldest. But even during the coldest period, unless you’re at high elevations in the mountains or volcanoes, temperatures rarely dip below 13°C/55°F!

From October to May in Ecuador, the months fall within the “wet season,” with high humidity and frequent heavy rainfall.

Visiting the Amazon rainforest? It’s good to know that the rainy season in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve starts in February and lasts until November.

🌎 Best overall time to visit Ecuador: June – September (average 15°C-25°C/59°F-77°F)
💸 Cheapest time to visit Ecuador: February to March or November.
🌳 Best time to visit the Cuyabeno Reserve (Amazon Rainforest): Any time of year, just expect rain!
☀️ Hottest time to visit Ecuador: June – September
🥶 Coldest month in Ecuador: February (average 12°C/55°F)
☔️ Rainiest months in Ecuador: February (average 100mm)

What to pack for Ecuador

When preparing for a trip to Ecuador, packing is similar to other Central and South American countries. Just remember to add in some warmer clothes for colder climates in high-altitude areas like Quito.

Need to know more? I’ve written an entire, lengthy blog post about what to pack for Ecuador; from daily clothes to gadgets and tech, the right kind of backpack and things you may have forgotten. You can check out my full Ecuador packing list here!

Visiting the Amazon Rainforest? Don’t forget to check out my complete Amazon packing list too!

Where to go AFTER Ecuador

If you aren’t going home after Ecuador (yay!), and are backpacking Central or South America, here are some of the most popular onward routes:

✈️ Fly out of the country from Quito or Guayaquil airport. Both have international departures.

🇨🇴 Colombia: many backpackers head north to Colombia after Ecuador. We loved both Medellin and Cartagena!

🇵🇪 Peru: we also had some friends who headed south to Peru. Another bordering country, this one is easy to fly to from Quito or Guayaquil.

🌎 Heading to Central America? This blog is packed full of information on Belize, Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala. Check out my blog posts and start planning here!

Getsemani Cartagena — ***Cartagena, Colombia***

Is Ecuador safe for tourists and backpackers?

Safety in different countries, cities and towns is subjective. But I can only speak about my own experiences, and then it’s down to you to take your own precautions.

During our trip in Ecuador, we generally felt safe, although we didn’t walk outside after dark. Both locals and fellow tourists had warned us to stay indoors after sunset, particularly in areas like Quito.

In my experience, Mindo was where I felt the safest. Because of how peaceful it was, I felt comfortable walking alone during the day (although, once again, only during daylight hours).

Quito was a safe place to explore during the day. We experienced significantly less unwanted attention compared to locations like Cartagena or Medellin (although even there, it was manageable).

However, there were certain areas in Quito that gave us a slightly uneasy gut feeling. Stick to La Floresta and the Historic Centre to avoid this!

But perceptions can vary from person to person. What may feel secure to one person, might not for another. Having a basic understanding of Spanish adds an extra layer of safety, so I highly recommend brushing up on your skills beforehand!

Join the Facebook group ‘Backpacking Ecuador’ before visiting for ‘inside information’ from the people who are actually there at the moment. As there were expected protests and riots when we were visiting, we were able to see locals’ and expats’ views about the situation in real time. It helped a lot!

2 weeks in Ecuador: FAQs

1) Are 2 weeks enough in Ecuador?

Two weeks in Ecuador is enough time to experience the country’s culture, natural beauty and epic wildlife. With a diverse number of locations to visit (the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon Rainforest, the Andes Mountains, and historical cities like Quito), to make your two-week trip worth it, I recommend extensive planning!

2) How long should you spend in Ecuador?

This depends on what you want to do, see, eat, experience and what kind of traveller you are! But in my opinion, to explore all of the major highlights in Ecuador, I recommend at least four weeks.

This allows enough time to visit the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon Rainforest, the adventure capital of Banos, the Andes Mountains, and historical cities like Quito (plus a few other epic locations).

3) Is Ecuador cheap or expensive?

Ecuador is known for being one of the cheapest countries in South America. It is perfect for those who want to have a great, adventure-filled time on a budget.

4) Do I need an eSim to travel around Ecuador?

Yes, I highly recommend downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and safety in Ecuador.

We found most of the cities to be chaotic and difficult to find local SIM cards. ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

Don’t forget travel insurance for South America!

If you’re visiting South America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in South America, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for South America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

2 Weeks in Ecuador: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the perfect 2 weeks in Ecuador. When you’re planning a trip to Ecuador, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at real-life travellers wanting authentic and down-to-earth information. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Ecuador content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

🇪🇨 Other Ecuador posts:

MEET THE AUTHOR!

Jennie

TRAVEL BLOGGER

Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.

If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).