Ecuador will always feel special to us.
When we first arrived, we thought we had a plan. A route, a timeline, or a rough idea of how the next weeks would unfold. Like many trips, we imagined we had it all mapped out… until situations reminded us that sometimes the best moments happen when things go completely off script… Things can go wrong. And not just small things… Not just a missed bus or a delayed flight. I’m talking like Murphy’s law moments when everything goes wrong, and there’s not much you can do about it.
If you are curious about what exactly happened, you can read the story about ” What If The Best Happens, When Travel Plans Go Wrong (A Collapsed Plan In Ecuador) “, a story of paths, experiences, and later possibilities that were only possible because our plan crashed… What started as an improvised plan turned into one of the most meaningful and defining adventures of our lives.
But if you’re here because you’re planning your own Ecuador adventure and want a practical route through some of the places we explored, this could be your Travel Guide to Ecuador.
Think of it as the Ecuador itinerary we imagined… blended with the version that actually happened.
And honestly? We would do it again.
Early in the Morning, Cafecito Cuenca – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Fish Bank at – Galapagos Islands, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
First, some quick info to know about Ecuador
Balcón al mundo, Quito, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
🎒 Visa-free Entry: up to 90 Days
Around 150+ countries don’t require a Visa
(You can check if a Visa is required on the first link below.)
🌍 Check if you need a Visa here
🛂 Check official travel requirements to apply here
🪙 Currency: Dollars (USD)
👥 Population: 18.5 million (2026 est.)
🗣️ Languages: Spanish + Indigenous languages including Kichwa (Quechua), Shuar, Achuar, Waorani, and others.
✈️ Main Airports: Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO – Quito)
🚐 Transportation Note: Ecuador is well connected by long-distance buses and private shuttles. Uber and taxis are easy in Quito and Guayaquil.
🕒 Timezone: Mainland Ecuador: UTC -5 Galápagos Islands: UTC -6
☀️ Weather: Highlands (Quito, Cuenca, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa):10–22°C year-round. Cool mornings and nights, sunny afternoons. Best months for clear volcano views: June–September + December–January.
Amazon Region (Tena, Cuyabeno, Yasuni): 22–31°C, humid and tropical.
Rain possible year-round. Drier months: November–February.
Coastal Ecuador (Guayaquil, Montañita, Puerto López): 24–31°C.
Sunny & warmer: December–April – Cooler/drier: May–November.
Galápagos Islands: Warm season (Jan–May): 24–31°C, calmer seas, excellent snorkeling. Cooler “garúa” season (Jun–Dec): 19–26°C, cloudier skies, richer marine life & incredible wildlife activity.
📶 Internet: Very reliable in Quito, Cuenca, Baños, and Guayaquil. Amazon lodges and remote mountain areas vary. Galápagos has Wi-Fi in towns, but it can be noticeably slower than mainland Ecuador.
📱 SIM Cards: Claro + Movistar are the main options.
Prepaid plans: usually $5–15 USD. 📡 eSIM: Airalo, Holafly work well.
🎒 Altitude Notes: Quito sits around 2,850m, and some travelers feel lightheaded the first day. Cuenca is around 2,560m and usually easier.
Higher altitude areas need more preparation:
🏔️ Cotopaxi – 5,897m 🏔️ Chimborazo – 6,263m 🏔️ Quilotoa – 3,914m
🏔️ Cayambe – 5,790m
✈️ 🛜 Arrive Connected, Skip the Hassle
No more wasting time hunting for SIM cards at the airport. With Airalo, you can install an eSIM before your trip and be online the moment you land. 🌍📱
👉 Get Your Airalo eSIM Here and travel stress-free.
When accessing the link, check your phone’s eSIM compatibility to make sure it works smoothly.
You can buy your eSIM and activate it later :)
Scan here, check the best package for your trip,
and Get Your Ecuador Data eSIM with Airalo
Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Why visit Ecuador?
Ecuador is one of those countries that constantly surprises you.
On a map, it looks relatively small compared to many of its South American neighbors. But once you begin exploring, just a fast research, and you quickly realize how much diversity is packed into a country that can be crossed in just a few hours.
Volcanoes towering above colonial cities. Cloud forests disappearing into the Andes. Indigenous traditions still deeply rooted in everyday life. And just there Pacific beaches, on the other side the Amazon rainforest, and across in the Pacific Ocean, perhaps the most famous wildlife destination on Earth — the Galápagos Islands.
What makes Ecuador special isn’t just the landscapes themselves, but how dramatically they change from one region to another. A morning can begin in the highlands surrounded by snow-capped peaks and end with a sunset beside the Pacific Ocean.
It’s a country that rewards curiosity.
Some travelers come for the wildlife. Others arrive chasing mountains, marine wildlife, coffee, food, adventure sports, or cultural experiences. The reality is that Ecuador offers a little bit of everything.
Puppy Sea Lions in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
And while our own journey through Ecuador didn’t unfold the way we expected, it reminded us of something important: sometimes a destination becomes unforgettable not because everything goes according to plan, but because it doesn’t. The landscapes were incredible, the wildlife was extraordinary, but the people, the friendships, and the unexpected turns along the way are what ultimately made Ecuador one of the most meaningful countries we’ve ever explored.
Piedra de Agua Fuente Termal & Spa – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Ecuador 4 Worlds in 1
A phrase you’ll hear repeatedly while researching Ecuador is “4 Worlds in 1.”
At first, it sounds like a tourism slogan.Then you visit. And you realize it’s actually true.
Despite its size, Ecuador is often described as four completely different worlds living inside one country. From East to West they are:
The first is the Amazon Rainforest. Covering nearly half of Ecuador’s territory, the Amazon offers a completely different experience. Dense jungle, indigenous communities, extraordinary biodiversity, and rivers that eventually contribute to the mighty Amazon Basin. It feels like entering a different country altogether.
Amazonian Region, Ecuador – By Jeff Stapleton via Pexels
Here you have some AMAZING experiences you can arrange around here:
Then comes the Andes Highlands, the mountainous backbone of Ecuador. This is where you’ll find many of the country’s most famous colonial cities, volcanoes, traditional markets, and some of the highest inhabited regions in South America. Destinations like Quito, Cuenca, Riobamba, Baños, Cotopaxi, and countless smaller Andean towns showcase a side of Ecuador rich in culture, history, and dramatic mountain landscapes.
Cotopaxi, Ecuador – By Alex Chasiguano via Pexels
Here you have some AMAZING experiences you can arrange around here:
The Pacific Coast forms the third world. Here you’ll find fishing villages, beach towns, surfing destinations, tropical weather, and some of Ecuador’s most relaxed atmospheres. Places like Montañita, Puerto López, and Ayampe have become favorites for travelers looking for ocean views and slower rhythms.
Pacific Coast view in Salinas, Ecuador – By Carlos Merchan via Pexels
Here you have some AMAZING experiences you can arrange around here:
And finally, there are the Galápagos Islands. A place so unique that it deserves its own category. Located nearly 1,000 kilometers from mainland Ecuador, these volcanic islands are considered one of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations on Earth. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, penguins, sharks, rays, and countless endemic species coexist in an ecosystem that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. It’s absolutely astonishing!
Underwater adventure in the Galapagos Islands – ©A Lifetime Quest
Here you have some AMAZING experiences you can arrange around here:
Few countries offer this level of diversity within a single trip.
You can hike volcanoes, explore colonial cities, wander through cloud forests, climb part of the Andes, navigate the Amazon, relax on Pacific beaches, and encounter wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.
That diversity is exactly what made Ecuador so appealing from the very beginning.
Snorkeling adventure in the Galapagos, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Amazonian Region, Ecuador – By Jeff Stapleton via Pexels
The Original Plan — Following the Andes from South to North
When we first booked this trip, our idea was surprisingly simple. We wanted to explore Ecuador through its Andean mountain range. The plan was to cross the country from south to north, slowly moving through some of the destinations that had fascinated us for years.
We would begin in Cuenca, often considered one of Ecuador’s most beautiful colonial cities. From there, the route would continue through places like Loja, Alausí, Riobamba, Baños de Agua Santa, Cotopaxi, and eventually Quito. It felt like the perfect mountain journey.
Colonial architecture, volcanoes, traditional markets, high-altitude landscapes, hiking trails, thermal baths, cloud forests, and some of the most spectacular scenery in South America.
Our thought route in Ecuador. (Loja – Cuenca – Alausí – Riobamba – Baños – Cotopaxi – Quito)
Even today, looking back at that original itinerary, it still sounds incredible. We can add items we couldn’t include at the time, such as the famous Devil’s Nose railway near Alausí, which resumes operations in July 2025 after a five-year post-pandemic hiatus. Plus, the dramatic volcanic landscapes surrounding Riobamba. The waterfalls and adventure activities of Baños! The possibility of hiking around Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes (A decision we wanted to make when being there in Secret Garden Cotopaxi). And finally, the cultural richness of Quito’s historic center.
It was the Ecuador we thought we were coming to explore.
But as you probably already know from our story about What If The Best Happens, When Travel Plans Go Wrong (A Collapsed Plan In Ecuador), Ecuador had completely different plans for us. And honestly? We also ended up loving the outcome!
What Actually Happened — from South to the Galapagos Dream
Our actual route in Ecuador. (Cuenca – Galápagos – Quito)
Only a few hours after we arrived, nationwide protests intensified. Roads between provinces were blocked, transportation stopped, tours were cancelled, and moving around the country became practically impossible. We had planned to slowly cross the Ecuadorian Andes from south to north. Instead, we suddenly found ourselves “trapped” in Cuenca, together with travelers from all over the world who, just like us, had no idea what would happen next.
The demonstrations had grown around the rising cost of living, particularly the sharp increase in fuel prices and their impact on everyday life. Communities across Ecuador mobilized, negotiations followed, and after days of protests, agreements were eventually reached between the government and Indigenous leaders, bringing the nationwide strikes to an end while we were still in the country.
Looking back now, it’s strange to think that what initially felt like the collapse of our trip became the beginning of one of the most meaningful journeys we’ve ever experienced. Those unexpected days in Cuenca introduced us to lifelong friendships, unforgettable moments, and eventually opened the door to experiences that never existed in our plans.
Important Note – There’s also something important to understand here.
As travelers, it’s easy to see disruptions as inconveniences. As things that are “ruining” a trip. But for the people who live there, anywhere, these moments are not interruptions — they are part of their reality. Their struggles, their conditions, their voices trying to be heard. And being there, even briefly, puts things into perspective.
As a Latin American myself, I know that local mainstream media mostly portrays people protesting as a bad thing… And also know the social struggle we have from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Monumento 206 in Tijuana, Mexico. However, when you see the world from place to place, you learn that most of the rights that people have… Exists because people collectively united for a major change. I talk more about it in a more political post that will be here.
Personal Note: One thing this trip reminded me of is something I often reflect on: after the simple privilege of being alive, I genuinely believe the opportunity to travel is one of life’s greatest privileges. Being able to adapt when plans collapse, to change routes, extend stays, or even spend savings to keep exploring is something many people simply can’t do. I never want to lose sight of that.
While researching sustainable tourism over the past few years, one idea has become increasingly important to me. More than encouraging people to travel more, I would love to see more people having the possibility to travel at all.
Because travel has the power to broaden perspectives in ways very few experiences can. It creates empathy, curiosity, understanding, and connections that are difficult to find elsewhere. If tourism can become more accessible, more responsible, and more inclusive, I genuinely believe it can make not only better travelers—but also more open-minded human beings.
Special note:
Ecuador was only our second destination that we ever documented for YouTube. As soon as the film is ready, you’ll be able to watch it at the end of this post.
Cuenca, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Cuenca
Cuenca ended up becoming one of the biggest surprises of our entire Ecuador trip. Originally, it was only supposed to be our first stop before continuing north through the Andes. Instead, because of the nationwide protests, we found ourselves staying here for much longer than planned. Looking back, I honestly can’t imagine the trip any other way.
For many Ecuadorians, Cuenca is the country’s most beautiful city, and after spending time here, it’s easy to understand why. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, its historic center feels remarkably intact, with cobblestone streets, white colonial façades, flower-filled balconies, and church towers appearing around almost every corner. Yet it never feels like an open-air museum. Around 600,000 people call Cuenca home, giving the city a lively atmosphere shaped by university students, artists, cafés, markets, and one of Ecuador’s most celebrated culinary scenes. It’s also considered one of the safest cities in the country, which makes wandering around on foot one of the best things you can do.
Escalinatas entre Calle Larga y la vereda paralela al Río Tomebamba, Cuenca, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
One of the things we loved most was simply how the city feels. Sitting at around 2,400 meters above sea level, Cuenca enjoys fresh temperatures almost year-round, and the mountain water flowing through its four rivers gives the whole city a calm, refreshing atmosphere. Those rivers — Tomebamba, Yanuncay, Tarqui and Machángara — all descend from the glacial lakes of nearby Cajas National Park, giving Cuenca its full official name: Santa Ana de los Cuatro Ríos de Cuenca. Before long, you’ll understand why everyone simply calls it the City of the Four Rivers.
It will be really hard to pick just one favorite place in Cuenca, but what we can reckon is that our favorite activity in Cuenca is just the exploring itself through alleys and streets! I feel it definitely has that charm of unique stuff scattered all around!
Some of the top things to do are:
Explore Cuenca Historic Center
The historic center is, without question, the heart of Cuenca, and honestly one of the best-preserved colonial districts we’ve seen anywhere in Latin America. Even surrounded by the towering Andes, with mountains in nearby Cajas National Park rising well above 4,000 meters, the city somehow feels intimate and incredibly walkable.
Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
The landmark you’ll notice almost immediately is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, better known as the New Cathedral. Those enormous blue domes dominate Cuenca’s skyline and have become one of the city’s defining images. Construction began back in 1885 and took more than a century to complete, resulting in one of the largest and most impressive cathedrals in Ecuador. Inside you’ll find marble floors imported from Italy, beautiful stained-glass windows and a peaceful atmosphere that invites you to stay for a while. If the rooftop is open during your visit, don’t hesitate to climb up. The panoramic views over Cuenca’s rooftops and the surrounding mountains are absolutely worth it.
Cúpulas azules de la Catedral, Cuenca, Ecuador – By Charly Chacón via Pexels
From there, simply keep walking. Parque Calderón, Plaza San Francisco, the narrow colonial streets and the old façades are all part of the experience. We honestly don’t think Cuenca needs a strict itinerary. Some of our favorite moments happened while getting slightly lost, stopping for coffee, crossing the Tomebamba River, or sitting on a random bench watching everyday life unfold. Sometimes the best way to experience a city is simply to give yourself enough time to notice it.
Traditional Dances in the Street – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Markets, Streets & Plazas in Cuenca
As much as we enjoy visiting nature gems and quirky places! Churches, museums, and historic landmarks, we’ve always believed that one of the quickest ways to understand a city is by spending time where local life naturally happens.
Markets, pubs, streets, plazas, and basically anywhere where locals interact organically.
Cuenca, Ecuador – By Guilma Mori Ruiz via Pexels
In Cuenca, that’s mostly around markets and plazas. Beside the above mentioned Parque Calderón, Plaza San Francisco, the colonial streets and so on, you will find the markets, Mercado 10 de Agosto is probably the most famous and bigger bustling market, Fresh fruit piled high on every stall, traditional Ecuadorian dishes being prepared in front of you, flowers, spices, fresh juices and locals doing their daily shopping create exactly the kind of atmosphere we always hope to find while travelling. Besides being a regular market, it also provides the possibility of receiving a soul cleansing from the powerful and mystical Limpias.
Limpias, are ancestral healing rituals led by female healers or “Andean priestesses” (many of whom speak Quechua) to cleanse the body and spirit of negative energies. It is traditionally recommended to undergo these rituals on Tuesdays and Fridays, as these days are considered to possess the greatest energetic potency for such healings.
Plaza Cívica y Mercado 9 de Octubre – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Mercado 9 de Octubre, probably our own very favorite, with an outstanding location in the Plaza Cívica, an open space with plenty of benches to people-watch and appreciate the quiet tranvia streetcar pass across by. This market was built in 1930, it is the city’s first formal market, and it is recognized as the birthplace of Cuenca’s commercial traditions and stands out for its grocery and handicraft sections, as well as a bustling prepared-food area featuring traditional dishes. This is where we usually went to try breakfast or go for natural juices throughout the day.
We were staying just in front, at the lovely Cafecito Cuenca, and if you do like just the art of people-watching and seeing life passing through for some minutes, I have to say, between the amazing rooftop common area in Cafecito Cuenca, the Plaza Civica, and the Mercado 9 de Octubre, you will really enjoy this art of noticing practice.
Mercado 9 de Octubre – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Just around the side of the New Cathedral, you’ll find Plaza de las Flores, as soon as you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a colorful, fragrant outdoor flower market, where local vendors arrange and sell every kind of flower, plant, and floral arrangement imaginable. The atmosphere is relaxed, wonderfully traditional, and a perfect place to slow down, take a few photos, or simply enjoy the colors and aromas—especially if you’re a flower lover.
Across its dozen or so traditional stalls, the famous cholas cuencanas sell everything from roses and lilies to orchids and countless other fresh flowers, all at surprisingly affordable prices. Besides the vibrant displays, this is also one of the best places to try Agua de Pitimás, a traditional herbal infusion prepared by the Carmelite nuns using more than fifty different herbs, well known for its relaxing and medicinal properties.
As if that wasn’t reason enough to stop by, National Geographic featured this charming little square as one of the 10 best flower markets in the world. Honestly… It’s definitely worth wandering through.
Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción por la noche, Cuenca Ecuador – By David Mosquera via Pexels
Calle Larga has long been one of Cuenca’s main social and cultural arteries. Stretching from Tarqui Street to Avenida Huayna Cápac, it’s lined with beautifully restored colonial houses, museums, cafés, galleries, and some of the city’s best restaurants and bars. Along much of the way, it overlooks the Tomebamba River and the Pumapungo Archaeological Park, giving it some of the nicest views in the historic center.
During the day, it’s a great place to wander, visit art galleries, browse local artisan shops, or simply stop for a coffee. By sunset, though, the whole atmosphere shifts. Locals and travelers alike gather on terraces overlooking the river, the conversations get louder, another round of beers arrives at the table, and before you know it, a quick drink somehow turns into the entire evening.
One of our favorite memories in Ecuador happened right here. It was Lorena’s birthday, and what started as a casual evening with some beers and a few shots of Zhumir at Cafecito Cuenca turned into one of our favorite nights of the entire trip. No reservations, no itinerary, no expectations—just good people, good conversations, and one of those nights that somehow becomes impossible to forget.
Looking back, it feels like the perfect summary of our time in Cuenca. None of it was planned, yet somehow it became exactly what we needed.
Piedra de Agua Fuente Termal & Spa – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Some of our favourite walks in Cuenca weren’t planned around any attraction at all. We’d simply follow the Tomebamba River, crossing bridges whenever they looked interesting, sitting for a while beside the water, watching university students, families, and cyclists pass by as the late afternoon light reflected off the colonial buildings. The city has that balance where you can stop for something traditional in a market one moment, then end up sitting with coffee in a beautiful old courtyard the next… And those moments rarely appear on lists of “Top Things To Do.” Yet, they are absolutely memorable.
Pumapungo – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Museo Pumapungo
If we had to recommend just one museum in Cuenca, it would be Museo Pumapungo without hesitation. It isn’t simply one of Ecuador’s best museums, it completely changes the way you understand the city around you. Inside, you’ll find archaeology, anthropology, ethnography, art, historical documents, and audiovisual exhibitions that tell the story of Ecuador’s diverse cultures from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum itself is free to visit, which honestly makes it one of the best cultural experiences in the entire country.
And the real surprise is outside. The museum was built directly beside the archaeological remains of Tomebamba, the great Inca city that existed here long before modern Cuenca. What today looks like peaceful gardens was once one of the most important settlements in the entire Inca Empire.
Pumapungo – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Founded during the fifteenth century by the Inca Túpac Yupanqui after marrying a Cañari princess, Tomebamba became the administrative centre of the empire’s northern territories. Under his son, Huayna Cápac, the city grew so rapidly that many historians describe it as the “Second Cusco” — effectively the second capital of the Tawantinsuyu after Cusco itself.
Standing among those ruins is a strange feeling. You begin to realise that the beautiful colonial city you’ve been exploring wasn’t even really the beginning of the story… It was simply another chapter. To know about some inner reflections
The archaeological site, together with the museum’s collections and the surrounding ethnobotanical gardens, gives an entirely different perspective on Ecuador. If you’re interested in history, anthropology, archaeology or ancient civilizations, this place will absolutely blow your mind.
Pumapungo – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Museo Del Sombrero De Paja Toquilla y Barrancos Panama Hat Cafe – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Museo Del Sombrero De Paja Toquilla y Barrancos Panama Hat Cafe
One place we definitely recommend visiting while exploring Cuenca is the Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla, also known as the Barrancos Panama Hat Museum. Part museum, part workshop, and part traditional hat factory, it offers a fascinating look into one of Ecuador’s most iconic crafts.
Walking inside feels less like entering a museum and more like stepping into a living workshop. Everywhere you look there are hats of different sizes, shapes, colours and styles, while local artisans continue weaving and finishing them by hand using techniques that have been passed down through generations. Watching the process up close makes you appreciate just how much patience and craftsmanship goes into a single hat.
And yes… despite the name, “Panama Hats” are actually Ecuadorian. (As Panamanians ourselves, this is something we have explained a lot haha! In and outside Panama.)
It’s one of those travel facts that surprises almost everyone. These famous hats are woven from the fibers of the paja toquilla plant, a craft recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.
Piedra de Agua Fuente Termal & Spa – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
After several days of walking through Cuenca’s streets, museums, cafés and markets, one place completely caught us by surprise: Piedra de Agua Fuente Termal & Spa.
November 1906, President Roosevelt – and his Panama hat – during a visit to the Panama Canal Construction
Anyways! Even if you don’t plan on buying one, it’s worth taking your time here. If you love hats, you will definitely love the place! Plus, the craft workshop is really interesting and eventually leads to a beautiful café overlooking the Tomebamba River, where the fresh mountain breeze somehow makes every cup of Ecuadorian coffee taste even better. Sitting there for a while, watching the river flow beneath the balconies with a locally roasted coffee in hand, became one of those simple moments that perfectly captured what we loved about Cuenca.
Prohibido Cultural Centro - El Museo de lo Prohibido
Officially known as El Prohibido Cultural Center, and popularly called the Museum of the Forbidden, the space was founded in 1996 as a home for alternative artistic expression. More than a museum, it’s a cultural project created to support voices that traditionally struggled to find a place within more conventional institutions. Music, theatre, painting, sculpture, performance, video art… almost every form of expression has found a home here.
The story behind the project is just as interesting as the artwork itself. Eduardo Moscoso created the space after experiencing firsthand how difficult it was, as a young artist, to find places willing to exhibit work that challenged traditional ideas. In a city as beautiful and historically conservative as Cuenca, opening a venue dedicated to taboo subjects, unconventional art, and freedom of expression back in the mid-1990s was, in itself, a bold artistic statement.
Museo de lo Prohibido – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Walking through its rooms feels different from visiting a traditional museum. The collection embraces forms of expression that are often left outside mainstream galleries, including body art, erotic art, dark art, extreme art, Indigenous art, and many other works that deliberately explore themes considered taboo. Some pieces will probably make you smile, others might make you uncomfortable, and a few will simply leave you standing there wondering what they mean.
That’s exactly what makes the place so interesting. Rather than trying to tell you what to think, El Prohibido invites you to question, reflect, and experience art from perspectives that aren’t usually given much space elsewhere.
It won’t be everyone’s favourite museum, and that’s precisely why we loved it. Places like this remind us that culture isn’t only found inside traditional museums, grand cathedrals, or archaeological sites. Sometimes it’s hidden inside small independent spaces created by people who simply refused to stop making art. For us, it became one of the most memorable stops in Cuenca, and one we’d recommend to anyone who enjoys discovering places that are a little unusual, deeply creative, and impossible to compare with anything else.
Piedra de Agua, Fuente Termal & SPA – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Piedra de Agua, Fuente Termal & SPA
After several days of walking through Cuenca’s streets, museums, cafés and markets, one place completely caught us by surprise: Piedra de Agua Fuente Termal & Spa. We actually ended up here for Lorena’s birthday and because our friend Aisling recommended it, and looking back… we’re so glad she did.
Located just outside the historic center in the parish of Baños, Piedra de Agua is built around a natural thermal spring and offers one of the most unique spa experiences we’ve ever had. Instead of simply adding pools and massage rooms, the complex takes advantage of the area’s volcanic geology, creating an underground circuit of thermal pools, volcanic stone caverns, mineral-rich mud treatments, steam rooms and relaxation spaces that somehow make you forget about time altogether. It feels less like a traditional spa and more like discovering a hidden sanctuary beneath the mountains.
Piedra de Agua, Fuente Termal & SPA – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
It’s also one of the most internationally recognized wellness destinations in Ecuador. In 2022, Piedra de Agua was awarded Spa of the Year: North & South America at the World Spa & Wellness Awards—often considered the “Oscars” of the spa industry—and has continued receiving international recognition for its architecture, sustainability and wellness experiences.
Piedra de Agua, Fuente Termal & SPA – Cuenca, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
We spent hours moving between the mud therapy, sauna baths, massage areas, and thermal pools, enjoying the volcanic steam caves and simply slowing down after days of constant exploration. It became one of those unexpected highlights that wasn’t originally part of our itinerary, it was something totally improvised that ended up becoming one of our favorite memories from Cuenca.
(Like we didn’t even want to leave the place! And to the extent that it’s officially part of one of the best days of our lives)
So, if your trip allows for it, I’d honestly recommend setting aside at least half a day for Piedra de Agua. Traveling isn’t only about seeing more places; sometimes it’s about giving yourself permission to pause and feel. And after hiking through cities, climbing viewpoints, and wandering endless cobblestone streets, there are few better places to recharge than natural hot springs tucked away in the Ecuadorian Andes… It’s just extremely worth stopping by. It’s just extremely lovely.
Here you have some other amazing experiences you can book in Cuenca, Ecuador:
Blue-Footed Boobies in The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – © by Haha via Pexels
The Galapagos
An Explorer's Dream Worth Planning Ahead
The Galápagos is probably one of those places that lives somewhere on the dream list of almost any explorer or wildlife lover. It has that almost utopian feeling of a destination where nature is still very much in charge, and where you can get ridiculously close to wildlife that, anywhere else in the world, you would probably need binoculars just to spot. But it is also one of those places where the practical side of traveling really matters. Galápagos isn’t the kind of destination where you can simply arrive and figure everything out as you go, and having the right information beforehand can make a huge difference in how you plan your time and your budget.
Sea Lions resting on a bench, somewhere in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – © by Diego F. Parra via Pexels
One of the main reasons is that the Galápagos Islands operate under a Special Law framework designed to protect their unique ecosystems, prioritizing their conservation and preservation. The Galápagos Governing Council is responsible for managing the archipelago and maintaining a balance between its inhabited areas and protected zones. Because of this, movement to and from the islands, as well as access to different areas, is carefully regulated to protect the biodiversity that makes this place so extraordinary. Around 95% of the land area is protected by the Galápagos National Park Directorate, and visitors can only explore designated visitor sites, generally accompanied by certified naturalist guides.
That might sound restrictive at first, but once you’re there, it starts to make a lot of sense. You’re visiting an ecosystem where sea lions can sleep across a walkway, marine iguanas casually cross your path, and birds that would be a once-in-a-lifetime sight almost anywhere else can become part of an ordinary afternoon. The idea is not to keep people away from the islands, but to make sure that people can experience them without turning the very thing that makes Galápagos special into the price of tourism.
Galapagos Land Iguana, somewhere in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – © by Brett Bennett via Pexels
How to Get There and Fees
For most travelers, getting to Galápagos means flying from mainland Ecuador, usually from Quito or Guayaquil, with flights arriving at either Baltra or San Cristóbal. There are also a few things you need to take care of before you even leave mainland Ecuador. The mandatory Transit Control Card costs $20, and international visitors currently pay a $200 Galápagos National Park entrance fee upon arrival, while children pay $100. Your luggage is also inspected by the Galápagos Biosecurity Agency before boarding, so it is worth checking what you are allowed to bring rather than discovering at the airport that your perfectly innocent-looking snack is not welcome on the islands. The logistics can feel like a lot compared with simply jumping on a domestic flight somewhere else in Ecuador, but there is a reason for the extra controls.
Sea Lions in San Cristobal Island, The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – © by Diego F. Parra via Pexels
How to Explore Around
There are essentially two main ways to experience the Galápagos. You can base yourself on one of the inhabited islands, such as Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal or Isabela, and use day trips and boats to explore nearby areas, or you can go for a live-aboard cruise and move between islands while sleeping on the boat. Cruises generally range from around four days to almost two weeks, and they make use of nighttime hours to cover longer distances between islands, allowing you to wake up somewhere new and spend the day exploring. It is a more expensive way of doing things, but it also gives you access to a wider range of islands, landscapes and wildlife.
Staying ashore can be more flexible and potentially less expensive, although the range of places you can reach depends heavily on the day trips available from your base. During our time in Cuenca, we received a detailed local recommendation for a cruise that sounded like an incredible way to make the most of the islands. Once you start adding up accommodation, food, transportation, and individual tours, the price can end up being surprisingly comparable, while the overnight routes also allow you to reach more secluded destinations and wake up somewhere completely different. Given the chaos, timing, restrictions, money surplus, and the protests, we weren’t able to arrange it. If we ever make it back, that’s still one of the experiences we’d really love to try.
Brown Pelican, The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – © by Diego F. Parra via Pexels
Time of the Year
The islands are worth visiting throughout the year, although the experience changes with the seasons. From December through May, the water and air tend to be warmer, the seas calmer, and the vegetation greener, with short periods of rain followed by plenty of sunshine. Flowers come into bloom, the landscape becomes more colorful, and it’s also a good period for observing certain nesting and mating behaviors. From June through November (When we got to visit), the Humboldt Current brings cooler, nutrient-rich waters, which attract an incredible amount of marine life. The skies can be cloudier, the winds stronger and the sea rougher, but this is also when the abundance of fish, seabirds, and other marine life makes the islands particularly attractive for diving and wildlife enthusiasts. There isn’t really one single “best” month for everyone; it really depends on what you want to experience and how comfortable you are with the conditions. For us, a dream would be to visit at completely different times of the year :)
Marine Iguanas resting at the beach – The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Wildlife
And then there is the wildlife, which is really the reason most people come here in the first place. Galápagos is world-famous for scuba diving, with opportunities to encounter sharks, sea lions, fur seals, marine turtles, rays, mantas, marine iguanas and an incredible variety of fish. But you don’t need to be a diver to have ridiculous encounters with animals. Sea lions, marine iguanas, lava lizards, turtles, birds and countless other species can be encountered around the islands, often with remarkably little concern for the humans walking nearby.
Visitor sites are connected by marked trails, many of them relatively short, although the terrain can be rough, with lava rock, uneven ground and both wet and dry landings depending on the location. This isn’t the kind of destination where you simply arrive and wander wherever you want. The restrictions are part of the experience, and honestly, they are part of what makes the experience possible. You’re not just visiting a collection of beautiful islands; you’re entering one of the most carefully protected ecosystems on the planet.
If you want to go deeper into the practical side of planning a Galápagos trip, Galápagos Conservancy has some excellent information about transportation, visitor sites, regulations, and planning your journey, and Galápagos Islands Travel is another useful resource to look through before you start putting your itinerary together.
Galapagos Tortoise Portrait, The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – © by Magda Ehlers via Pexels
Lorena with a resting Sea Lion, around Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Island, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Our Arrival and Story in The Galapagos
So, heading toward the only possible destination, we took a flight from Cuenca to Guayaquil and then on to the Galápagos. In a few hours, we arrived in what was, for sure, one of our childhood dreams: the Galápagos Islands, one of the most surreal places we had ever imagined visiting. And what felt even crazier was that this was the only place we had “skipped” in our original plan.
It was the one destination sitting firmly in the “not yet” category because we thought, “If we’re ever going there, we should definitely plan it properly. We’ll probably need more money, we should do thorough research, as it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” And yet, here we were, improvising and arriving with no plans, no research, only a good attitude, some winter clothes that were supposed to be useful closer to the Andes, and a few tips from friends of our new friends, who would later become good friends themselves.
Resting Sea Lion, around Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Island, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Our first days were basically about exploring a few places and getting a feel for Santa Cruz. And you don’t really need much time to realize you’re somewhere completely unique. Just walking around, you start spotting marine iguanas, sea lions hanging around, and birds everywhere. You need only a few seconds to realize you’re in a very different place on Earth; there’s almost this little electric rush in your head telling you to open your eyes and actually pay attention to what is happening around you.
Fragata Magnifica in The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – © by Haha via Pexels
We decided to spend those first days simply roaming around, getting a feel for the local life and seeing where our feet took us. We strolled from Charles Binford, nearby Las Ninfas, crossed Avenida Baltra and continued down Charles Darwin Avenue, which is basically the main street around Puerto Ayora. It’s a pretty unique stretch of road, packed with tour operators, craft markets, cafés, restaurants, pubs, fishermen, sea lions, seagulls and pelicans all sharing the same general space. Honestly, it’s quite a road. We eventually kept walking until we reached the famous Charles Darwin Research Station, where we spent the afternoon learning more about the islands and their conservation work.
Charles Darwin Research Station
Lorena in the Charles Darwin Research Center, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
We eventually made our way to the Charles Darwin Research Station, and honestly, I feel that if you have ever dreamed about anything related to the Galápagos—whether you’re an explorer, biologist, wildlife conservationist, photographer, adventurer, or simply someone fascinated by the natural world—there is something almost impossible to explain about being there. You are walking around this wild place, surrounded by species found nowhere else on Earth, and at the same time you know that this was one of the places that helped change how humanity understood life itself. It gives you that strange feeling of being both incredibly small and completely amazed at the same time.
Baby Tortoises in Charles Darwin Research Center, Galapagos, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Tortoises in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – © by Diego F. Parra via Pexels
In parallel, there is Charles Darwin’s story, which makes the whole thing even crazier. He joined HMS Beagle as a “gentleman naturalist” after his Cambridge tutor recommended him for what became a five-year surveying expedition. His role was unofficially to observe geology, collect specimens and document the natural world, and the voyage eventually took him around the coast of South America and into the Galápagos. The Beagle arrived in September 1835, and Darwin spent about five weeks exploring four islands that we now know as San Cristóbal, Floreana, Isabela and Santiago. Five weeks doesn’t sound like much when you think about the scale of the islands, but those observations would stay with him for the rest of his life…
Red-footed boobies in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – © by Lloyd Douglas via Pexels
What he noticed was fascinating. Species that looked remarkably similar could vary from island to island, adapting to slightly different environments and conditions. Those observations didn’t suddenly produce the theory of evolution while he was standing there, but they became part of a much larger process of questioning the idea that species were fixed and unchanging. Darwin developed his theory of evolution by natural selection in 1838 and spent decades collecting evidence, refining his ideas, and trying to understand the implications, delaying it for 20 years until Alfred Russel Wallace sent Darwin a paper outlining the same theory in Southeast Asia, forcing a joint publication between July and August 1858.
After that, instead of writing a massive, multi-volume textbook as he had originally planned, Darwin spent the next months frantically writing a shorter, highly readable “abstract”. That book was On the Origin of Species, published in November 1859.
It would become one of the most important books ever written.
Marine Iguana portrait in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – © by Alex Ning via Pexels
There’s also a crazy little detail in Darwin’s story that I really like: before becoming famous for evolutionary theory, he was indeed successful as a travel writer. The Voyage of the Beagle, which he published in 1839, brought his experiences to a much wider audience through descriptions of landscapes, wildlife, and the people and places he encountered along the way. So, for anyone on a quest, exploring out there, documenting their experience in any way or format possible, I just want to let you know Darwin was living that, in what feels like an absolute quest…traveling, adapting, observing, documenting, living a total experience, without knowing the possible outcomes of such a task… And then trying to make sense of what he had seen by telling the story… Just wow!
A large part of my motivation for documenting and sharing these stories comes from tales like these—of how a single decision, a quest, a sidequest, an adventure, or simply an unexpected destination can change your life, or transform the way we understand everything…
Playa La Estación – Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Lorena in the Charles Darwin Research Center, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Us with a Galapagos Tortoise resting, and later in Santa Cruz Brewery with our Irish & Finish friends to try some Ecuadorian Craft Beers, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
As the sun started going down, we passed through Playa de la Estación and eventually ended up chilling with friends and new friends at Santa Cruz Brewery. By the end of the day, we had started arranging tours for the following days. Somehow, without really knowing what we were doing when we arrived that morning, we were already building our own improvised version of the Galápagos experience.
And that was only the beginning.
Tours around the islands
Lorena in the Charles Darwin Research Center, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Pinzon Island and La Fe Bay
We signed up for three different tours, basically one for each half of the day, so we could explore a little on our own while still getting out into the water and experiencing some of the things that make the Galápagos so unique. Our first excursion took us toward Pinzón Island and La Fe Bay, with snorkeling as the main event. The tour usually includes two or three snorkeling spots, starting in a beautiful, calm and relatively shallow bay before moving into deeper waters. Depending on the conditions and, honestly, a bit of luck, you might get the chance to see some of the bigger marine species, including rays, sharks, dolphins and plenty of other wildlife.
In our case, we were amazed by the marine life. We visited in June, when the colder waters brought by the Humboldt Current make the islands especially rich in nutrients and packed with life. The water was definitely colder, but it was more than worth it for everything we got to see.
Lorena in the Charles Darwin Research Center, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
We swam alongside huge schools of fish from different species, spotted at least four majestic sea turtles, and encountered around six Galápagos sharks—plus plenty of smaller ones resting almost motionless on the sandy bottom near the reefs, in what looked like their own little sleeping spots.
Honestly, no picture could ever do the experience half the justice. Being there, surrounded by all that life, trying to take everything in at once with your own eyes while your memory desperately attempts to hold on to every detail… it was just pure excitement.
Sea Turtle, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
And this is probably worth keeping in mind whenever you book a nature or wildlife tour, whether you’re in the Galápagos or anywhere else in the world: nature doesn’t follow your itinerary. Every day is different. You might see something incredible one day and completely miss it the next. A great guide can know exactly where to look and dramatically improve your chances, but they can’t tell a manta ray, shark or sea lion to show up on schedule. Sometimes you get incredibly lucky, sometimes you don’t, and that’s simply part of exploring places like this. Nature is just unpredictable, and that’s part of the magic…
Our first snorkeling stop was in a calm, exceptionally beautiful bay around Pinzón Island, one of the places in the Galápagos where you can encounter endemic marine iguanas swimming and feeding underwater. We were told that they can sometimes pass just a few meters away while you’re snorkeling, which sounded absolutely ridiculous in the best possible way. The shallow waters are also known for reef sharks, and depending on the day, you might find yourself swimming alongside sea turtles, rays or playful sea lions. Octopuses, lobsters and plenty of tropical fish are also commonly spotted around the island.
Amazing Rock in the middle of the Ocean, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
After spending some time in the water, we got back on the boat for lunch. They prepared fresh food on board, including ceviche that was, quite possibly, the freshest Ceviche we’ve ever eaten. From there, we continued toward La Fe Bay. Depending on the guide, sea conditions and the group, you might have another snorkeling session here or spend some time exploring on land. We managed to do a little more snorkeling and spotted another sea lion before heading out to explore the area. On land, there are also opportunities to encounter some of the islands’ characteristic birds, including Darwin’s finches, mockingbirds and, if you’re lucky, blue-footed boobies.
Lorena in front of the Blue-footed Boobies, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Dozens of Marine Iguanas, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
We were lucky enough to find a pair of blue-footed boobies hanging around, along with a huge group of marine iguanas resting together. We were still hoping to see those same iguanas swimming underwater, especially after hearing how strange and prehistoric they look when they move through the water, but no luck this time! We saw hundreds everywhere, but no swimming haha! And that’s the Galápagos for you. You can plan the tour, pick the islands, choose the guide and get yourself into the right place, but once you’re there, the animals are still running the show. Nature will always rule.
Us getting ready for snorkeling at Isla Santa Fe, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Isla Santa Fe y Playa Escondida
After giving ourselves a day in between to explore a little more of Santa Cruz, we headed out for our second tour, this time toward Santa Fe Island and Playa Escondida, or Hidden Beach. The journey from Santa Cruz was relatively short, around 45 minutes, and the plan was simple: two different snorkeling sessions around Santa Fe, followed by some time at a secluded white-sand beach before heading back.
Snorkeling at Isla Santa Fe, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
The first part of the tour gave us another chance to get into the water, and once again, the Galápagos did its thing. There were fish everywhere. We spent the next hour swimming around tropical fish, spotting turtles, angelfish and, yes, something that looked suspiciously like Crush and Dory from Finding Nemo. At some point, we also came across a stingray almost perfectly camouflaged against the sand. You could easily swim past it without noticing anything at all, which is probably another good reminder to keep your eyes open when you’re underwater around here.
“Crush and Dory” Isla Santa Fe, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Stingray, Isla Santa Fe, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Then came the part we were really looking forward to: swimming around the sea lions. More specifically, the pups. And honestly, this was one of those experiences that is difficult not to smile through. The younger sea lions were incredibly curious and kept coming closer to check us out, swimming around us, examining us, and playing with our fins. It really did feel a bit like being surrounded by underwater puppies, just considerably faster and way better swimmers than us.
Puppy Sea Lions, Isla Santa Fe, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
We also saw the older alpha male of the group, which was a completely different kind of encounter. Our guide had already explained the importance of keeping a safe distance and respecting the animals’ space, so we followed the instructions and simply observed him from afar. As fun and playful as the younger sea lions were, it was still their home, and we were just passing through.
Sea Lion, Isla Santa Fe, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
After getting back on the boat, we had lunch and spent some time enjoying the ride before continuing toward Playa Escondida. The beach was surrounded by the typical vegetation of the area, with white sand and incredibly clear water. It was one of those places where there wasn’t really much you needed to do. We walked around for a while, relaxed on the beach, spent some more time hanging out on the yacht and simply enjoyed being there before eventually making our way back to Santa Cruz.
Lore in some Playa Escondida around Santa Fe Island – ©A Lifetime Quest
The whole experience was another reminder of how absurdly easy it is to have a memorable day in the Galápagos. You can spend the morning watching a stingray disappear into the sand, swim alongside turtles and tropical fish, have a group of sea lion pups playing with your fins, and then finish the afternoon on a quiet beach somewhere in the middle of the Pacific.
Not a bad way to spend some very unplanned days…
School of Fishes, or “School of Dorys” – ©A Lifetime Quest
Exploring in Santa Cruz
Although we arranged three different tours during our stay, the last one never happened. While we were out on our Santa Fe Island tour, we found out that strikes around the ports and docks had affected the boat service between Santa Cruz and Isabela. Since we already had our flights back to mainland Ecuador arranged, we decided not to risk going to Isabela and potentially getting stuck there. As much as we hated the idea of skipping the tour we probably wanted the most, we also knew that, after everything that had already happened during this trip, improvising even deeper could become a little too expensive. So, very sadly, Isabela had to wait. In fact, it is one of the main reasons why returning to the Galápagos remains one of our dream adventures.
Laguna de las Ninfas, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Instead, we slowed down and spent some time exploring Santa Cruz itself. We walked around Laguna de las Ninfas, which was conveniently close to where we were staying. It was a really beautiful, fairytale-like lagoon, calm and turquoise, with the occasional bird calling in the distance or flying overhead. We stayed for a while on a small dock by the lagoon, doing absolutely nothing in particular and simply enjoying the place. It turned into one of those unexpectedly magical mornings :)
Later, we joined our friends Elli and Dillon for a walk through the trails leading toward Tortuga Bay. The path itself was beautiful, surrounded by giant cacti, birds and, of course, marine iguanas doing their thing, resting along the way and casually crossing the path like they were the main characters of the whole island. And honestly, they kind of were :)
Cacti Trails towards the Coast, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
By the time we reached the beach, we came across a sea lion sleeping peacefully and almost completely covered in sand. A little farther along, more marine iguanas were resting near the shore, and eventually, we spotted a huge brown pelican hanging around the beach as well. We did not get the sunniest day in the Galápagos, but honestly, it didn’t really matter. The walk was beautiful, the company was great, and there was something nice about having nowhere else to be for the day.
Playa Tortuga Bay – Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
I have to say… Even now, when we think back about Santa Cruz, it is not only the tours or the famous wildlife encounters that come to mind. It is also the trails, the conversations, the random walks, the people we met, and those small moments in between everything else. Somehow, when we look back at it all, the whole experience still feels a little bit like a dream.
Colorful fishes while snorkeling – Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Us having our daily Ice-cream from Helados Tato & later in Golden Prague trying some Beers, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
(More detailed experiences, places and must-see of Galapagos Islands will be in this link) 🔜
(More detailed experiences, places and must-see of Iximche will be in this link) 🔜
Basilica del Voto Nacional, Quito, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Quito
On our last day in the Galápagos, we were rushing to catch our flight back to mainland Ecuador. Luckily, we made it on time, so there were no dramatic airport scenes or missed flights this time, even though we felt in a rush. When we arrived in Quito, we shared a taxi with Elli and Dillon, and somewhere along the way, we said our farewells. Or more accurately, we said, “See you later,” because after everything we had already experienced together, it didn’t really feel like the end of the story.
And honestly, that has remained one of the most important and beautiful things I take from saying yes to those unpredictable doors that appear while traveling. Sometimes you open yourself to possibilities that simply wouldn’t exist if you hadn’t taken that first step outside whatever comfort, routine, or plan was keeping you in place. Some people enter your life for a few hours, others for a few days, and somehow, years later, you are still connected through stories, memories, countries, and future roads that none of you could have possibly planned. Some threads keep threading stories years later…
There was, however, another small story running in the background from our last tour around Santa Fe Island all the way until our first days in Quito. While snorkeling, we passed through an area where everyone in the group started feeling small, sharp stings. Apparently, we had encountered jellyfish larvae, which can cause what is medically known as seabather’s eruption. Basically, tiny organisms release stinging cells that cause an irritating and sometimes pretty uncomfortable rash.
So – Coming back to that taxi ride, our driver turned out to be an incredibly kind man. As we talked while crossing Quito toward our accommodation, I mentioned what had happened, and he immediately started trying to help. At one point, he even called his daughter, who was a nurse, to ask for recommendations. He pointed out the nearest hospital from our location, told us which hospital his daughter worked at, gave us some advice about places to visit and areas to avoid at night, and even shared recommendations for food and other spots around the city.
It was one of those small interactions that you remember because nobody was obligated to do any of it. He was simply a kind person trying to help two travelers figure things out in his city. I still remember that ride and will always be grateful for the help.
Centro Histórico de Quito
Basilica del Voto Nacional, Quito, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Palacio Arzobispal, Quito, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
After checking into our accommodation, we went out to explore a little and joined a really interesting free walking tour around Quito’s Historic Center. We started around the impressive Basílica del Voto Nacional and continued through places like Palacio Arzobispal, Independence Square, and Iglesia de San Francisco. Along the way, we tried local chocolate and taxo, an Ecuadorian fruit that, at least to us, felt somewhere between passion fruit and banana. It was really good.
Helado de Taxo, Quito, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Convento de San Francisco – Centro Histórico, Quito, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
After the tour, we grabbed some coffee and continued walking around the Historic Center on our own. At that exact moment, something interesting was happening across the city. Police and military forces were beginning to remove the barricades that had blocked several areas during the protests because, after everything, the demonstrations had finally come to an end.
Centro Histórico, Quito, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
It was strange to think about the timing of it all. We had arrived in Ecuador right when the protests escalated and found ourselves trapped in Cuenca, completely unable to follow the trip we had originally planned. Now, after the Galápagos, new friends, unexpected detours and an entire improvised journey, we were walking through Quito on the day the barricades were coming down.
Locro, Quito, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Ceviche de Camaron, Quito, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
We continued exploring, stopping here and there, then took a quick break at our accommodation before getting to try Locro and a Ceviche de Camaron; both were amazing! All of this while still exchanging messages through WhatsApp with the taxi driver’s daughter, the nurse he had connected me with. She recommended some medication, but by the end of the afternoon, the rash was still getting worse. Eventually, we walked around the very spots we had passed through on the walking tour- basically the core and alleys connecting the Centro Histórico- as the sun was going down, the sky started coloring from a deep blue to an amazing purple -to- orange sunset. The temperature finally went a bit lower, and we headed to La Ronda street, stopped in a couple of places just to hang out a bit, but eventually decided to go to the nearby hospital. Finally asking for help for my jellyfish allergy.
La Ronda – Quito, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
I technically could have gone to a private hospital and used my travel insurance. Still, it was far away, it was already getting late, and the public hospital was literally around 30 meters from where we were. So, we decided to go there instead. I was treated incredibly well. After waiting for a bit, I received an injection for the allergic reaction, and thankfully, things finally started improving.
Thanks to the Ecuadorian medical staff that day.
Mitad del Mundo - Latitud 0
Balcon del Mundo, Quito Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
The following day, we headed to La Mitad del Mundo. Since it was only the second day after the protests had ended and people were finally moving around more freely again, the whole place felt incredibly alive. There were families everywhere, traditional dances, music, and a really happy and energetic atmosphere all around.
Mitad del Mundo, Quito Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
We stopped for food at Balcón del Mundo and later visited the museum inside the monument. The exhibition explores Ecuador through its four main worlds, ecosystems, and the cosmovision of Ecuador’s originary groups, which was a really interesting way to understand just how much diversity exists within such a relatively small country. Afterward, we walked around the area and eventually just sat there for a while, right in the middle of the world.
Mitad del Mundo, Quito Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
Basilica del Voto Nacional
We went back to the Basílica del Voto Nacional because we hadn’t been able to climb up during our first visit. And honestly, if you are visiting Quito, we really think it is absolutely worth going up. The views from the upper sections are amazing! The building itself is already impressive enough from the ground, yes! But the views inside and of Quito from above make it worth going up the stairs 100%.
We genuinely believe it is one of the most impressive churches we have seen, and probably one of the most memorable religious buildings we’ve ever visited. Apart from its scale and Gothic architecture, it also has plenty of history, symbolism, and legends surrounding it, which makes the visit even more interesting. We learnt a lot of those interesting facts on our walking tour when we arrived, but we still wanted to explore more and get to know some more details properly!
On our first walking tour stop in Quito, Basilica del Voto Nacional, Quito, Ecuador – ©A Lifetime Quest
The basilica is absolutely massive, spanning more than 7,500 square meters, and is considered the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas. Once you stand in front of it, that scale becomes pretty obvious. The interior can accommodate thousands, the whole building follows a neo-Gothic style inspired by European cathedrals, particularly Notre-Dame in Paris, with enormous arches, detailed stonework, stained-glass windows, and a huge amount of craftsmanship throughout the building.
Interior Basilica del Voto Nacional, Ecuador – © by Diego Parra via Pexels
What makes it particularly even more interesting is how Ecuador was incorporated into that otherwise European-looking style. Instead of the traditional Gothic gargoyles you might expect, the exterior is decorated with sculptures of Ecuadorian animals, including iguanas, condors, crocodiles, jaguars, tortoises, and armadillos. These animals represent the different ecosystem habitats of Ecuador, they are small details, but they make the building feel much more connected to the place where it actually stands.
Cocodrile Gargoyle – Basilica del Voto Nacional, Quito, Ecuador – © by Diego Parra via Pexels
Monkeys & Jaguars Gargoyles – Basilica del Voto Nacional, Quito, Ecuador – © by Diego Parra via Pexels
Construction began in 1887 and was officially inaugurated in 1988, but some parts of the building remain incomplete to this day.
The local legend says that the day the Basilica is completed will mark the end of the world, so it has been on the make for more than 130 years now, and luckily it’s still considered to be “under-construction” ;)
We eventually made our way up toward the upper levels, and this was probably our favorite part. From up there, you get an entirely different perspective of Quito, end-to-end views, with the historic center below and the mountains surrounding the city. It is one of those places where the building itself becomes a viewpoint, and suddenly all the climbing feels worth it.
Some of Quito’s most amazing views.
TeleferiQo Quito
The next day we visited the TelefériQo de Quito. And somewhere during that cable car ride, something started to click…
I had been carrying questions with me since a trip to Guatemala months ago. Back then, while still deep in my corporate life, I had traveled looking for answers about what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go, and what exactly I was supposed to be doing with my life. You know… “Finding answers!” But instead of answers, I came back with more questions…
Quito View from 4000 M.A.S.L, TeleferiQo de Quito – ©A Lifetime Quest
However, sitting there, moving above Quito toward the mountains, I suddenly realized that somehow those existential questions had been answered. Not through one big moment or a perfectly planned decision. There hadn’t been a single destination waiting for me with a sign saying, “Here is your answer.” The answers had slowly appeared through experiences, through exploring, in a big dose through taking chances, through changing plans, through meeting and connecting with people, and even through situations that originally felt like they were completely ruining everything…
And maybe that was the whole point…
TeleferiQo de Quito – ©A Lifetime Quest
We spent some time talking and recording our thoughts, trying to make sense of everything that had happened during the trip. Afterward, we had some coffee and bolón, which felt like a pretty good way to process an existential realization in the Ecuadorian Andes, and then we simply stayed there for a while, assimilating everything…
We chilled at the Mirador de los Volcanes, where we did pretty much the same thing: walked around, enjoyed the views, and just enjoyed. By that point, Ecuador had already become much more than the trip we had planned. The route through Loja, Cuenca, Alausí, Riobamba, Baños, Cotopaxi and Quito had completely collapsed before we even had the chance to start it properly. Instead, we got stuck in Cuenca, met people who would become some of our dearest friends, celebrated a birthday we hadn’t planned to celebrate there, ended up in the Galápagos completely by accident, saw some of the most incredible wildlife of our lives, and somehow arrived in Quito with a completely different understanding of what the trip had actually been about…
Mirador de los Volcanes – ©A Lifetime Quest
Mirador de los Volcanes – ©A Lifetime Quest
From there we went to spend our last afternoon at Bandido Brewing, had a few craft beers in this unique, quirky place- the kind of place where the decoration itself is just completely bold and alternative- and that makes it worth stopping by. We talked about everything that had happened, that actual amazing landing in “reality check”, and arranged our taxi for the next day.
And that was it. Time to call it a trip… and what a wild trip.
Last night in Ecuador, Bandido Brewing, Quito – ©A Lifetime Quest
Or at least, that’s what we thought at the time. Because the truth is that some trips don’t really end when you get back home. Some of them continue through the people you meet, the places you eventually return to, the decisions that follow, and the version of yourself that exists after everything that happened.
Ecuador was one of those trips. We arrived with a plan. The plan completely collapsed.
And somehow, that ended up being one of the best things that could have happened.
(More detailed experiences, places and must-see of Quito will be in this link) 🔜
Top Foods, Drinks, Events & Wildlife Encounters in Ecuador
All these natural and cultural wonders I’ve shared – from Cuenca, to The Galapagos Islands all over to Quito – you’ll find everything neatly pinned: Our actual route and the alternative routes we designed. Sightseeing, restaurants, museums, archeological sites, curious spots, and other natural escapes outside our route in Ecuador.
Every place I’ve shared is only a small piece of the map. There are still countless mountains to climb, waterfalls to chase, and stories to live. If one of these sparked something in you, maybe it’s time to set your own quest in motion.
I hope this post gives you a clearer picture—
and maybe a little extra wanderlust for all the adventures waiting for you here in Ecuador and beyond.
A last thought…
A conversation can change your route. A stranger can become a friend. A canceled plan can take you somewhere you had decided not to go. One unexpected “yes” can create another, and another, until years later you realize that some of the people and experiences you value the most only exist in your life because, at some point, things didn’t go according to plan, but even more importantly, you dared to flow into the uncertain, you dare to say yes to that unexpected quest…
Sea Lion staring at – Galapagos, Ecuador ©A Lifetime Quest
Thanks for joining, Thanks for reading! See you soon
– And go for it!
Peace
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This is A Lifetime Quest — and maybe it’s yours too.