Perched on the shoulder of South America, Ecuador is a patchwork of dramatic landscapes, from white sandy beaches and rolling grasslands to dense rainforests and majestic mountains. Despite its modest size, the country packs a mighty punch thanks to its breathtaking terrain, which takes in the Amazon, the Andes and the awesome archipelago of the Galápagos.
And Ecuador's small scale lends itself perfectly to exploring by road, with epic scenery guaranteed on any road trip across the mountains, along the coast or into the more accessible parts of the Amazon (though some regions can only be explored by boat).
Thanks to big road improvements in recent years, the country has become much safer and more accessible for drivers, though there are still plenty of gravel roads that justify renting a 4WD. Here are the five best routes for a road trip in Ecuador.
Best road trip for volcano-spotting Quito–Guayaquil; 840km (522 miles); 7 days
Starting in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, this road trip takes you south down and across the spine of the Andes, following the volcano-lined corridor that was memorably dubbed “The Avenue of the Volcanoes” by German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt in 1812. Start by heading down Highway E30, taking a slight detour west to view the volcano and crater lake at Quilotoa before continuing south to the thermal spa town of Baños.
From there, the route meanders southward on the E35 to Alausí, where you can stretch your legs along its charming cobbled streets lined with picturesque old buildings. To wrap things up, hop back into your car and head toward pretty, historic Cuenca before tacking west to reach your final destination – Guayaquil, Ecuador’s most populous city.
Best road trip for exploring the coast Esmeraldas–Huaquillas; 850km (528 miles); 7 days
Taking in the vast majority of Ecuador’s beautiful coastline, the Spondylus Route runs the length of the country, from Esmeraldas in the north to Huaquillas on the border with Peru. Named after the oyster-like shell used as a currency in Pre-Columbian times, the route features narrow roads that wind their way through small ports, beach-fringed surf resorts and tropical forests.
Running alongside some of the best surf beaches on South America's Pacific coast, the route is a firm favorite for fans of surfing, scuba diving, fishing and water sports. Explore the white sandy beaches of Cojimíes, a hub for mangrove and fishing trips, or stop off further down at the surfers’ paradise of Montañita.
Planning tip: With so much to see on route, leaving plenty of time (ideally a week or more) to take in all the Ecuadorian coast has to offer is best.
Best road trip for seeing central Ecuador Quito–Quito; 530km (330 miles); 5 days
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When it comes to using a car service to get around town, to and from the airport or from one destination to the next, travelers looking for a high-end option have a myriad of brands to pick from. Based on my personal experience, I can tell you that I’ve come to rely on Blacklane.
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