Ecuador Honeymoon – Romance, Passion & Adventure
The Ecuador Honeymoon Guide
The amazing diversity of Ecuador makes it the perfect choice for honeymooners. Ecuador’s natural wonders, breathtaking landscapes, temperate climate and passionate people naturally lend themselves to romance and excitement. This small country also boasts two once in a lifetime bucket-list destinations – the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon Rainforest. So it’s easy to design an Ecuador honeymoon itinerary to make all of your dreams come true!
Keep reading for all of our top picks of romantic Ecuador honeymoon destinations to celebrate your special occasion in style.
Where to go on your Ecuador Honeymoon?
1. Beaches & Wildlife at the Galapagos Islands
Few Ecuador honeymoon destinations capture the imagination like the Galapagos Islands. The Enchanted Islands are truly unlike any other place on the planet, and for good reason recognised as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. A honeymoon in Galapagos is like walking into your very own Discovery Channel documentary!
Imagine pristine white sand beaches that you’ll share with playful sealions rather than hordes of tourists. Discover uninhabited islands teeming with diverse birds and animals. Snorkel or scuba dive at some of the best marine sites in the world. Enjoy romantic al fresco wining and dining. Snap unforgettable honeymoon photos with breathtaking volcanic landscape backdrops. Without doubt, Galapagos goes way beyond your typical honeymoon vacation package.
There are various options available for an unforgettable Galapagos honeymoon. Small 16 passenger liveaboard cruises make complete loops of the archipelago, reaching far away islands for a more secluded getaway. Galapagos land trips combine hotels stays on different islands with day tours, with greater flexibility. While a Galapagos resort like Finch Bay Hotel offers a more conventional package vacation.
So, if you’re both looking for a truly unique place to honeymoon, a place that inspires wonder and will live on in your memories for the rest of your lives together, the Galapagos Islands tick all the boxes!
2. Honeymoon Adventures in the Amazon Rainforest
Next in our Ecuador honeymoon list is another destination that surely needs no introduction – the Amazon Rainforest. Why not start your life together as an adventure?
The Amazon is one the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet – a dream destination for nature lovers. It’s an explosion for the senses – sights and sounds that carry your into a new, unimaginable world. Experienced native guides introduce you to the hidden secrets of the lush forest – medicinal plants, wildlife spotting and cultural experiences to share with local indigenous communities.
Ecuador’s rainforest can even be a luxurious experience. Beautiful thatched lodges like Napo Wildlife Center and Sacha blend in perfectly with the harmony of the surrounding forest. Some like La Selva Lodge even have an onsite spa for special pampering. Another great choice is Amazon River cruising aboard the Manatee Explorer or Anakonda ships – drifting romantically through primary forest with fun activities along the way.
The Amazon should be high up on your honeymoon list if you want to escape the modern world, to immerse yourselves deep into the magic of nature.
3. Active Getaways in the Andes
For adventurous souls the Andean mountains offer an active and exciting honeymoon playground. Active snow-capped volcanoes smoulder, rivers and waterfalls flow through lush, green landscapes into spell-binding lakes, while indian communities welcome visitors warmly dressed in colorful ponchos.
Ecuador’s highlands are dotted with National parks waiting to be explored. The options are boundedless – treking, horse-riding, rafting, mountain biking, canyoning, ziplining & much more. Some of the must-see destinations that couples traveling in Ecuador’s Sierra always love are Cotopaxi Volcano National Park, Otavalo handicraft market, Papallacta hot springs, Baños and the waterfall route, Quilotoa Crater Lake, El Cajas lake district and the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
Why not spice it up more with a few romantic nights at a colonial lodging like Hacienda Cusin or Hacienda Zuleta. Centuries of history and charm combine for a magical experience set in elegant surroundings, where old traditions arouse curiousity and cosy fireplaces warm the soul.
The Andes is your perfect choice for an active Ecuador honeymoon with stunning mountain scenery.
4. Fairytale Nature in the Cloudforest
For something a little different head into Ecuador’s cloud forest – an enchanted fairytale woodland, shrouded in mist. This is a other-wordly land of beautiful orchids, colorful butterflies and carpets of green moss. Amazing hummingbirds flit between flowers in search of nectar. Shy Andean bears hide away deep in the forest. Crystal clear waterfalls and streams flow gently down the mountains. Bird watchers and nature lovers cannot fail to fall in love in this world of tranquility.
Mashpi Lodge is a logical honeymoon choice, blending luxurious lodging into 3200 hectares of pristine forest. Mashpi is recognised as a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, as well as featuring as one of BBC’s Amazing Hotels. Bellavista Lodge is another top choice, with comfortable suites overlooking the forest canopy, and hundreds of colorful humminbirds buzzing around the lodge feeding stations.
5. Culture & Romance in the Cities
Last of our destination picks for a honeymoon in ecuador are the cities of Guayaquil and UNESCO heritage centers of Quito and Cuenca. Combine vibrant nightlife with fine dining, colonial architecture, cultural museums and wonderful cityscapes to add more spice to your honeymoon vacation.
Quito, Ecuador’s capital city, boasts the best preserved colonial center in all Latin America, as well as huge variety of museums and cultural centers. Whisk yourselves away among the charming city plazas, opulent churches and fine, historic architecture. Visit urbans parks and botanical gardens that showcase the modern side to Quito city. Splurge at romantic hotels like Illa Experience and Casa Gangotena, with dreamy suites and spectacular sunset views across the old town area.
Cuenca is Ecuador’s undisputed city of romance. Cobbled streets wind past white-washed colonial buildings, the impressive blue-domed cathedral, small quaint plazas and four picturesque rivers. It’s a city that is proud of it’s traditions, where famous writers, poets and artists have chosen to stay. The city’s restaurants offer some of the finest dining in the country, creating unique fusions of traditional flavor with modern tastes. There’s even ancient Inca ruins to explore.
Guayaquil has more of an exotic and passionate feel. This coastal city is famous for vibrant nightlight, great seafood and salsa dancing. The climate is more tropical here, but the breeze on Guayas River Malecon boardwalk makes strolling pleasant. For a unique honeymoon stay check out Hacienda La Danesa; set in a lush cocoa plantation they show guests how to make chocolate from bean to bar, and offer horse riding trips to explore this working farm.
6. Optional Extras – Other South America Destinations
It’s also easy to combine Ecuador with other countries in the region. Check out our detailed South America honeymoon blog for more ideas including Machu Picchu, Easter Island and the wilds of Patagonia.
Ecuador Honeymoon – The Special Touches
So, that was plenty of food for thought, but how to pull it all together into your dream honeymoon?
Happy Gringo are considered leaders in custom-made Ecuador itineraries. We love nothing more than to design unique travel itineraries especially for you. Just let us know some of the ideas that you have in mind, and we’ll blend it into the Ecuador honeymoon that you dared to dream about. A marriage between two people is unique, so why shouldn’t your honeymoon to celebrate that unity also be unique.
Of course a honeymoon vacation is not just about destinations, it’s also about the special details. Flowers and champagne waiting in your room. Romantic dining with spell-binding views. A private museum opening just for the two of you. A blessing for your future life together from a shaman. No request is too great and no detail too small.
Contact us to take the first step in planning your Ecuador honeymoon. First, we want to hear all of your dreams and ideas. Then we’ll create an itinerary to make it happen! All tour designs and quotes are completely free of charge, with no obligations to book.
In conclusion, a honeymoon in Ecuador has all of the ingredients for a spell-binding vacation – the perfect mix of romance, passion and adventure for lovers and newly weds. So take the plunge, and once the rings are safely on your fingers, jump on a plane to Ecuador. We guarantee the spectacular photos and unforgettable memories will last a lifetime!
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