Top 20 Places · Latitude Zero

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01
Quito's Historic Center
HIGHLANDS · Pichincha
One of the best-preserved colonial centers in the Americas and the first city named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Churches, plazas and rooftop views of the volcanoes.
Our plan: Mostly flat plazas, but the streets are steep. Bring a carrier.
Planned
02
Mitad del Mundo
HIGHLANDS · Pichincha
The monument on the equator just north of Quito, plus the Intiñan museum where you can balance an egg on a nail.
Our plan: A photo of Mateo with one foot in each hemisphere.
Planned
03
Cotopaxi National Park
HIGHLANDS · Cotopaxi
One of the world's highest active volcanoes, with a near-perfect snow cone, wild horses and the Limpiopungo lagoon.
Our plan: High altitude. We'll stay lower and keep the visit short.
Planned
04
Quilotoa Lagoon
HIGHLANDS · Cotopaxi
A turquoise crater lake inside a collapsed volcano. The hike down is easy; the climb back up is not.
Our plan: Viewpoint from the rim, and the hike when Mateo is older.
Planned
05
Otavalo Market
HIGHLANDS · Imbabura
The famous Saturday market of Kichwa textiles, weavings and crafts, plus the lakes and waterfalls around town.
Our plan: Saturday morning, then lunch by Lago San Pablo.
Planned
06
Cuenca
HIGHLANDS · Azuay
A UNESCO-listed colonial city with blue-domed cathedrals, four rivers and a big expat community. Home of the Panama hat.
Our plan: A strong contender for a longer stay.
Planned
07
Baños
HIGHLANDS · Tungurahua
The adventure capital, between the Andes and the Amazon. Hot springs, the Pailón del Diablo waterfall and the swing at the end of the world.
Our plan: Waterfall trails and the hot springs, slowly.
Planned
08
Chimborazo
HIGHLANDS · Chimborazo
Ecuador's highest peak. Thanks to the equatorial bulge, its summit is the point on Earth farthest from its center.
Our plan: Drive to the refuge, take the photo, come back down.
Planned
09
Mindo Cloud Forest
HIGHLANDS · Pichincha
Misty forest about two hours from Quito, full of hummingbirds, butterflies, waterfalls and chocolate farms.
Our plan: High on our list for a first weekend trip.
Planned
10
Ingapirca
HIGHLANDS · Cañar
The largest Inca ruins in Ecuador, built around a Cañari site. The Temple of the Sun is the highlight.
Our plan: An easy day trip from Cuenca.
Planned
11
El Cajas National Park
HIGHLANDS · Azuay
Wild páramo with hundreds of glacial lakes, about 45 minutes from Cuenca.
Our plan: Short lakeside trails near the visitor center.
Planned
12
Guayaquil & the Malecón 2000
COAST · Guayas
Ecuador's largest city. The riverfront Malecón, Las Peñas neighborhood and the 444 steps up Cerro Santa Ana.
Our plan: The Malecón is stroller-friendly. The 444 steps are on Austin.
Planned
13
Montañita
COAST · Santa Elena
The coast's famous surf town, laid-back by day and lively at night.
Our plan: Daytime beach and surf lessons for Austin.
Planned
14
Puerto López & Isla de la Plata
COAST · Manabí
Base for humpback whale watching (roughly June to September) and a smaller-scale Galápagos with blue-footed boobies.
Our plan: Timing the trip for whale season.
Planned
15
Los Frailes Beach
COAST · Manabí
A protected crescent beach inside Machalilla National Park, with no buildings in sight.
Our plan: A calm-water beach day.
Planned
16
Tena & the Napo River
AMAZON · Napo
The gateway to the Amazon from the highlands. River trips, Kichwa communities and waterfalls.
Our plan: A lodge stay close to town.
Planned
17
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
AMAZON · Sucumbíos
Flooded forest and blackwater lagoons with pink river dolphins, monkeys and hundreds of bird species.
Our plan: A trip for when Mateo is older.
Planned
18
Yasuní National Park
AMAZON · Orellana
One of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Deep-jungle lodges and parrot clay licks.
Our plan: The big Amazon trip, someday.
Planned
19
Santa Cruz Island
GALÁPAGOS
The hub of the islands. Giant tortoises in the highlands, the Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay.
Our plan: Our first Galápagos base.
Planned
20
San Cristóbal Island
GALÁPAGOS
Sea lions on every bench, Kicker Rock and some of the best snorkeling in the islands.
Our plan: Sea lions at eye level. Mateo will love it.
Planned