Have you ever thought about traveling to Ecuador? When we started planning our trip there, we noticed a serious lack of tourist info on the internet. It didn't seem like very many people had traveled there or had experiences to share. It’s a shame because Ecuador is a fantastic vacation destination. Keep reading to find out why.

1. It’s Cheap

We found that everything in Ecuador was much cheaper than what we were used to. A 3-hour bus ride is 3 dollars. You can eat lunch for 2 dollars. A beer will set you back a dollar. A private room in Banos at Community Hostel was 25 dollars a night. We were shocked by how inexpensive everything was. We also spent way less money than we had planned, which almost never happens.

“We were shocked by how inexpensive everything was. We also spent way less money than we had planned, which almost never happens.”

All of this food was only 10 dollars in the market.

2. They Use The Dollar

Since we're talking about money, you won't have to exchange your money in Ecuador if you're coming from the States. All of Ecuador uses the dollar. Make sure you bring plenty of cash though because most places will not accept credit cards or they'll charge you a steep fee for the privilege. Check with your bank to see what fees they have to use a local ATM. Bring small bills and dollar coins as well because most businesses will struggle to break anything over a twenty. Small bills were always appreciated.

3. The Landscape Is Gorgeous

It’s a shockingly beautiful and diverse place. That's all I'm going to say. It's amazing. Just look at the pictures.

4. There Is A Ton To Do

If you are into culture and the outdoors, you won't be disappointed with Ecuador. In Quito, you can learn about Ecuadorian history and visit old buildings and churches. You can learn about the diverse wildlife in the Galapagos. There are Amazon rainforests to explore. In Banos, you can whitewater raft and visit volcanoes. We only spent twelve days in Ecuador, but you could easily spend a month and not see it all.

“We only spent twelve days in Ecuador, but you could easily spend a month and not see it all.”

Learn how to prepare and cook local cuisine on a farm tour with Takiri Travel.

5. It’s Not Overrun With Tourists

For such a beautiful and cheap place, there really weren't a lot of tourists around. Even in popular areas like Quilotoa and Banos, we never felt overrun with people. Maybe the secret isn't out yet, but you should take advantage of the low crowds while you can.

“Maybe the secret isn’t out yet, but you should take advantage of the low crowds while you can.”

Conclusion

We had such a great time in Ecuador. There was so much to see and do. Because it was so cheap, we also left with a little more money than we expected. It was an awesome adventure. Have you ever been to Ecuador? Do you think you want to visit now? Answer below in the comments.

Contact Info

We worked with some fantastic companies on our trip that provide amazing services in Ecuador. If you're planning a trip there you can trust these contacts will take care of you.

Llullu Llama - One of the most beautiful hotel/hostels we have ever stayed in. The included breakfast and dinner was by far the best food we had in Ecuador.

Geotours - Banos has several companies that provide adventure sports. You'll have the most fun with Geotours. Look them up if you want to go whitewater rafting, zip lining, canyoning or anything else that gets the blood pumping.

Takari Travel - Also in Banos, Takari Travel focus more on personal, local experiences. We did a quaint farm tour with them, and they taught us how to make Ecuadorian Ceviche.

Community Hostel - A super cool hostel in Banos. Twenty-five dollars a night gets you a private bed/bath and a gourmet breakfast.

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5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Ecuador