4 Family Friendly Attractions in Ecuador

Taking the family out of the routine of school, work, and life at home opens up new horizons-which finds everyone exploring an exciting culture together. Keep reading for 4 places where family travel in Ecuador offers new terrain to discover as a group.

Family travel in Ecuador is the perfect time to introduce or reaffirm the joy of travel to the whole crew. The different realms of the country are rich with destinations that capture the imagination, from the natural beauty and exotic creatures of the Galapagos Islands to the majestic peaks of the Avenue of the Volcanoes.

Baños

If you are ready for some outdoor adventure, Banos has you covered. Within close reach are rivers to raft, waterfalls to discover, and short hikes to lookouts overlooking the valley of the city of Banos.

In town, there are shops, restaurants, hot springs, spas, and cafes where the long-term owners and their family show movies daily.

For an adventure, head to the swing at the end of the world. This tree house doubles as an observation center for the nearby and active Tungurahua volcano, and an exciting swing that soars over a drop off over the valley below. There are safety belts, and the view on a clear day outshines those of neighboring vistas.

The Jungle

While the big cats are seldom seen on a journey into the deep jungle-there is plenty to keep everyone gasping in amazement down the tributaries of the Napo River.

Lodges in the jungle offer comfort,  built on peaceful lagoons-where day trips by canoe are full of animals and adventure. Groups of curious monkeys, slow-moving sloths, pink river dolphins surfacing to feed, and red-eyed caimans vie for the attention while toucans and cheerful flocks of birds fly overhead. Guides are well-versed in family travel. Ask about fishing for piranha, it’s a fun way for everyone to get in on the action.

The Quilotoa Loop

The Quilotoa Loop, a few hours south of Quito, is an adventure that goes hand in hand with family travel in Ecuador. The series of hikes, bus rides, and small mountain hamlets aren’t the cookie cutter trips found in guidebooks.

This is an off-the-beaten-path journey following trails that skirt rivers, meanders by farmers tending to their crops, and stops at cozy hostels where food is served around a common table and tales are told by the fire before bed. The hikes between destinations are enough of a challenge to bring the group together, making for fun days under the Ecuadorian sun.

The Galapagos Islands

The sheer volume of things to see and do in the Galapagos Islands is inspiring. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, lumbering sea lions, and fun-loving Galapagos penguins captivate both young and old.

Snorkeling in the shallow waters and exploring uninhabited islands puts you side by side with sea turtles and lions. On land,  look out for blue-footed boobies, and frigatebirds dancing and inflating their red pouches in moving, mating rituals.

On the inhabited islands of Santa Cruz and Isabela, long stretches of tropical beaches end with colonies of multicolored marine iguanas and elegant pink flamingos feeding in nearby lagoons.

The exotic Galapagos Islands, the hills of the Quilotoa Loop, the deep reaches of the jungle, and the outdoor adventures of Banos capture the heart and spirit of family travel in Ecuador. For more information about taking a trip to the four regions of Ecuador that keeps the tradition of family vacations fresh and vibrant-leaving the whole clan rejuvenated, contact a member of our team through our toll-free numbers or by clicking here.