Discover Ecuador

Giant tortoises, marine iguanas and clumsy blue-footed boobies live here without natural enemies from humans and can be observed up close. Charles Darwin's studies on these unique volcanic islands shaped modern evolutionary theory.

The capital, situated at over 2,800 meters, boasts one of the best-preserved and largest colonial old towns in Latin America, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. Magnificent churches and narrow alleys tell of Spanish colonial history amid the Andes.

The symmetrical, snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers. The "Avenida de los Volcanes" connects numerous other imposing Andean peaks.

At the equator monument Mitad del Mundo near Quito, you can literally stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere — a popular and fun photo spot for visitors.

Direct flights to Quito or Guayaquil usually involve a stopover in Madrid or Amsterdam, with a total travel time from Zurich of around 14 to 15 hours. From there, you reach the Galápagos Islands with a separate domestic flight.

Spanish is Ecuador's official language. In the Andean regions, Quechua is also spoken, the traditional language of the indigenous Andean peoples.

June to September, the dry season, is best suited for the highlands around Quito. The Galápagos Islands can be visited year-round, with December to May offering warmer water and calmer seas.

The mainland is moderate to inexpensive to travel thanks to the US dollar being the official currency. Trips to the Galápagos Islands are noticeably more expensive due to strict conservation fees and limited capacity.