Ecuador is a small country by South American standards—you can get just about anywhere from Quito in a day by bus or a few hours by plane. Still, since there’s so much to see, planning a visit takes some forethought. Itineraries will depend on your budget, interests, and timeframe.

  Ecuador’s public transportation network is widespread but, at least on the ground, not always the quickest way to get around. If your time is limited, consider flying between larger cities instead of taking all-day (or all-night) buses, or renting a car. Packaged tours also increase what you can see in a given period. Day tours to popular destinations are available for reasonable prices from tour agencies in most major cities. (Renting a taxi and driver for the day is another option.)

  To really do Ecuador justice takes at least a month, but you can see the highlights in as little as two weeks—even a week if you really pack things in. The choices of things to do and see are so plentiful that it makes sense to pick either a part of the country to concentrate on or else the type of experience you want to have.

  Most people come here to experience the Galápagos Islands, an experience completely unique to Ecuador. A week in the islands is often combined with a week or so in the Andes—it’s a shame to come this far and not see more of the country. Other popular pursuits are colonial cities, outdoor activities, and indigenous markets in the Andes, resort towns such as Baños, and Amazon tours and jungle lodges. The Pacific coast will probably seem the most familiar part of the country, even if you haven’t been here before, but even that offers seaside lodges, mangrove swamps, and isolated beaches.

WHEN TO GO
The most important factors in deciding the timing of your trip are weather, tourist seasons, and events—namely festivals—that occur at specific times.

  In terms of weather, there is really no “best” time to visit Ecuador. Since it sits on the equator, Ecuador doesn’t have hot and cold seasons like countries in temperate latitudes; here the seasons are defined in terms of precipitation. Climatic cycles in different parts of the country don’t coincide, so knowing which area(s) you plan to visit is the key in figuring out when to go.

  Local tourist seasons occur near major holidays in late December and February–March. South Americans often take their vacations, air ticket prices rise, and hotels are often full during these and other minor festivities. Many North American and European tourists come during the summer vacation months of June–August. I personally prefer in-between months like February and November.

  Fans of local festivals might want to plan a trip to coincide with a few of the better ones, such as San Lorenzo’s Santos Reyes and Santos Innocentes the first week in January or Cuenca’s solemn Christmas processions. Many important indigenous festivals are clustered around the solstices and equinoxes in March, June, September, and December.

WHAT TO BRING
When packing for a trip, two old sayings hold true. First, lay out what you want to bring, then take half that and twice as much money. The second, an adage of international journalists and inveterate business travelers, warns to take only as much as you could carry at a dead run for half a kilometer.

  In other words, pack light. It’s amazing how much you think you might need, only to return home and find out that, not only did you not use the questionable items, but you also didn’t unpack half of what you considered indispensable. Leave room for souvenirs!

  Don’t bring jewelry or, for that matter, anything expensive or irreplaceable. It’s easy and convenient to store belongings and purchases in Quito while you explore other parts of the country. You can rent and buy camping equipment, mountaineering boots, and rubber boots (for the jungle) in Ecuador.

  In terms of clothing, pack appropriately for where you’re heading: sandals and shorts for the beach; warm and waterproof layers for the Sierra; long sleeves and a hat for sun protection anywhere. For footwear, take a comfortable pair of shoes or sneakers, and broken-in hiking boots if you plan to trek.

  Don’t forget your camera—Ecuador is one of the most photogenic places you’ll ever go. More and more people are using digital cameras nowadays; you can download photos onto CDs at Internet cafes in major cities. Bring enough film or memory cards to get you through from day to day, especially in the Galápagos, where you’ll easily shoot a roll or more (hundreds of digital shots) per day.