8 Amazing Adventure Activities to Try in Ecuador

Ecuador is filled with incredible adventure activities that will be sure to satisfy even the biggest adrenaline seekers. Much like Costa Rica, Ecuador offers amazing jungle adventures, relaxing beaches, and beautiful mountains and volcanoes. But, a visit to Ecuador is more affordable and allows you to experience the country with less tourists around!

Some of my most memorable excursions I’ve experienced in my travels were in Ecuador. From white water rafting to swinging without a harness over the Amazon Rainforest, I definitely experienced my fair share of adventure activities in the country.

Continue reading to explore 8 amazing adventure activities to try in Ecuador!

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Best Time to Visit Ecuador

Depending on what time in the year you go to Ecuador and where you are headed, you’ll have a different experience due to the varying weather. Ecuador is known to have unpredictable weather, and many people joke that you can experience “four seasons in a day”.

The wet season in Ecuador is from October to May. This is when you can expect rainfall most days in the afternoon. But, there is still time to explore in the mornings and during the evening when it isn’t raining!

The dry season in Ecuador is from June to September. During this time, you can experience the warmest days and clear skies for the most part.

The time of year you decide to go really depends on where you are going. If your main destination is the beautiful Galápagos Islands, the best time to visit is between December and May. If you’re visiting coastal cities, it’s best to avoid visiting from May to November as the weather is often overcast.

Places to Stay in Ecuador

While some adventure activities are spread out from the rest, there are a couple cities where you can base yourself out of that have a high concentration of activities nearby.

Baños de Agua Santa

Most commonly referred to just as Baños, this charming city is a great base to experience a lot of adventure activities Ecuador has to offer and is one of the best places to visit in Ecuador. Here, there are plenty of adventure shops where you can rent ATVs, book white water rafting tours, try your hand at canyoning, visit the Amazon Rainforest, and much more. The city itself is quite quaint, with a nice church and amazing mountain views in the distance. As you adventure around the town in your off-time, you can admire waterfalls that are right in the town. Then, you can stop at one of the local restaurants to indulge in delicious Ecuadorian cuisine.

Cuenca

This charming city is another great hub for adventure activities in Ecuador. The city boasts incredible scenery, cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and plenty of amazing things to do. Here, you can rent bikes, try out zip lining, hike, and so much more!

Exciting Adventure Activities to Try in Ecuador

1. Scuba Diving

Swimming alongside tropical fish and overtop ocean coral is such an incredible experience. There are a few spots to dive along the coast in Ecuador, but the most popular spot is at the Galápagos Islands.

2. Canyoning

Well, if you can tell by the picture, I was super entertained by the suit they had us wear for canyoning! Rappelling down waterfalls is definitely an exciting experience. When you first try, you will likely go quite slow to ensure your footing is secure. But, the fun comes when you become more confident and take larger leaps down the waterfalls!

3. Surfing

Even though I lived near the beach in California for 3 years, my first time surfing was in South America! The technique you need to learn for surfing can be quite awkward and difficult to get the hang of. I would suggest booking a short training session with a local to get you started!

4. Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater rafting is one of the favourite things I’ve ever tried. Your guide will teach you key phrases and techniques to ensure you have a safe adventure down the river. There are different classes of rapids ranging from Class I to Class VI in difficulty. I would recommend Class III for your first time as it is a good balance between safe and exciting!

One of the best places to try whitewater rafting in Ecuador is in Tena. The city is a great destination to experience the Amazon on a budget!

5. Swinging Over the Amazon Rainforest

While this isn’t the safest of the activities, it is definitely one of the most exciting! This swing, known as the “Swing at the End of the World”, is located near the edge of the Ecuadorian Amazon. It is more of a tourist attraction than anything, but the swing really feels like you are flying overtop of the Amazon.

6. Zip Lining

An adventure that I recommend to almost everyone is zip lining through the jungle canopies. It can definitely be nerve-racking, but the views from above the treetops are absolutely phenomenal. There’s plenty of zip lines with varying heights, speeds, and distances for you to discover.

7. Hanging Bridges

If you’re afraid of heights, this one may not be for you. But, it is an amazing experience walking across long bridges over the jungle canopies. The views are you’re walking over treetops are amazing!

8. Volcano Hiking

There are definitely plenty of amazing hiking trails in Ecuador, with many hiking up and around volcanoes. There are two volcano hikes that I recommend for those visiting Ecuador:

Cotopaxi

I definitely plan to visit Cotopaxi National Park again in the future. When I visited, I took a day hike up Cotopaxi Volcano. I was warned by the guide with us that even the most fit hikers become short of breath as you rise in altitude. This is because the viewpoint is almost at an altitude of ~4,800 m (16,000 ft)! I certainly did not believe the guide when he told us. At around 3/4 of the way to the top, I ended up having to stop every minute because the air was so thin. Boy did that guide prove me wrong!

Quilotoa Lake

Hiking at this beautiful lake can either be a multiple day excursion or a day trip. For the multi-day hike, you start or end at Quilotoa Lake. Along the way there are plenty of quaint towns, where you can rest overnight without having to carry hiking gear. It is a fairly strenuous hike, but along the way you’ll admire incredible scenery from all different perspectives. On a day hike, you can admire the lake from top, or hike down to the water, where you can rent kayaks.

What are your favourite adventure activities to try in Ecuador? Let me know in the comments!

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• 11 Best Places to Visit in Ecuador
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