I spent over a month backpacking Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru each so this is the beginning of a series where I give a detailed itinerary of countries I have backpacked solo. Since I had to learn these routes along the way, I wanted to make it easier for you to figure out. I already have a post for my Peru Backpacking Route. I loved Ecuador because there was so much to do and I had very little expectations and it exceeded all of my expectations.
I was backpacking on a budget as a solo female traveler and I found Ecuador easy to backpack in terms of routes, transportation, safety, etc. I started in Quito and bused through to Guayaquil, making some spots along the way and visited the Galapagos Islands. Surprising fact about Ecuador: They use USD which made things a bit easier. I would also recommend to ask for the menu del dia during lunch because they’re usually $1-$3 for juice, soup, main course, and dessert. That really helped me stay on budget! This is everything you need to know about backpacking Ecuador. 
I flew into Quito because it was the cheapest for me, but Quito and Guayaquil are the biggest airports. I spent a month and a half in Ecuador, visiting amazing places including mountains, beaches, volcanoes, and even a cruise in the Galapagos Islands which was incredible but also very expensive. Some places that I missed that I wish I visited are Cuenca and Mindo. I’ll give some tips on how to book a cruise on a budget. Let’s get started with Quito!
Fly into Quito
I Ubered to the hostel since I arrived late at night and don’t like taking public transportation alone when it’s late. It wasn’t too expensive to Uber. I stayed over a week in Quito since it’s a pretty affordable city and great for working if you’re a digital nomad. The best thing to see is Cotopaxi National Park.
Where to stay: Secret Garden Hostel
The hostel is super social and budget friendly and free activities like yoga. They also have a travel agency on the first floor to book excursions and great food and a happy hour.
Highlights:
- Cotopaxi Volcano day trip (There is also a Secret Garden Hostel location near Cotopaxi and they have a 2 night package). I just did the day trip. It’s a short hike but hard since the altitude reaches 4800 meters and it’s extremely windy and cold.
- Bike/walking/food tour of Quito. The hostel provides these activities. The food tour was great since you get introduced to local Ecuadorian food and hole in the wall spots (literally, they’re called huecos)
- Quilatoa: Quilatoa is a crater lake and volcano that you can hike up to for a day trip.
- Viewpoint at TeleferiQo: take a cable car up to a beautiful viewpoint of the city. You can also do a bit of hiking there.
- Mitad del Mundo: Visit the equator for a day trip
- Chiva party bus: The hostel organizes an all you can drink party bus for $10 on the weekends.
Where to eat:
- Cafe Nativa: Great brunch
- Mercado la Floresta: Local menu del dia and affordable lunches
- Coffee Romance: A super cute coffee shop
- Sanduche Meneses: a very local sandwich spot that’s great for lunch
- Bungalow 6 to go out
Take the bus to Baños de Agua Santa
Baños is a cute town in the mountains known for adventure activities like ziplining, rafting, waterfalls, and it’s around a 3 hour bus ride from Quito. There is a bus to Baños from Quito about every 20 minutes so I just went to the station and bought a bus ticket when I wanted to go. I spent 5 days in Baños and that was enough with time to relax.
Where to stay: Great Backpacker’s Hostel
Great Hostel has a delicious breakfast, happy hour, and it’s super easy to meet other backpackers.
Highlights:
- Waterfall Chiva tour: booked through the hostel and you can see 4-5 different waterfalls including the biggest one: Pailon del Diablo. There’s also an option to go ziplining.
- Bunjee Jumping: just go to the main bridge (I didn’t do it because it didn’t look safe but other people thought it was fun)
- Rafting in the Amazon forest: booked through the hostel and it will definitely get your adrenaline pumping! Be careful not to swallow river water if you fall in (I did, and it made me sick)
- Thermal pools: This is what Baños de Agua Santos is really named after and they’re natural thermal baths in the town.
- La Casa del Arbol: You can swing on a huge swing over the mountains and it’s gorgeous.
Where to eat:
- Carpe Diem: amazing Italian food
- Crater Rooftop Bar: good drinks and they have a good menu del dia
- La Casa del Bolon Comida Tipica: classic Ecuadorian food
Overnight bus to Montañita
Montañita is a beach, surf town that is infamous for its nightlife. I stayed in Montañita a week because it was a nice, chill (not so chill at night) beach hangout with fun backpackers. I would recommend staying at least a few nights. 
Where to stay: Kamala Hostel
Kamala is a hostel a bit outside of town but right on the beach. They have an amazing restaurant and family dinners so it’s a great place for solo travelers. 
Highlights:
- Surf lessons in Montañita or Olon, a surf town 10 minutes away
- Go out to Poco Loco (regaton) or Lost Beach (techno). These are the most famous clubs in Montañita and Lost Beach is one of the best clubs in the world for techno.
- Play volleyball at the hostel and other games
- My Little House Hostel for happy hour
Where to eat:
- Kapadokia Restaurant: amazing seafood
- Restaurant next to Selina for amazing lava cakes
Bus to Guayaquil
Guayaquil is the busiest city in Ecuador and it’s mostly for industry instead of for tourism. Most people just stay in Guayaquil before they visit the Galapagos, which is also what I did. Guayaquil also has a reputation for not being the safest right now. However, I never felt unsafe there but I would exercise caution if you’re traveling solo. After Guayaquil, most people go to Cuenca but I didn’t feel like it.
Where to stay: Hostel Nucapacha
Hostel Nucapacha is super chill and has a pool to hang out at with breakfasts included. I volunteered here for a few weeks. 
Highlights:
- Walk the Malecon 2000
- Visit the Iguana Park
- Walk or bike to Isla Santay
- Walk up to the lighthouse/faro
From Guayaquil, it’s the cheapest to fly to the Galapagos Islands.
Fly to the Galapagos Islands (Baltra airport)
Disclaimer: the Galapagos are expensive but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
I took an 8 day cruise in the Galapagos Islands on the Monserrat cruise. There are also hostels on Isabela and other islands so it’s possible to travel the Galapagos on a budget but I wanted to see as much as I could. I booked the cruise last minute and negotiated the price down to $2200. The flight was $200 and there is a $100 entrance fee for US citizens.
On my cruise, I visited Santa Cruz, Bartolome, Punta Pitt, Isla Rabida, and more! It was so worth it and we got to do a hike or two, 2 snorkels, and more every day.
From the Galapagos, I flew back to Guayaquil and flew to Lima, Peru to start my backpacking journey in Peru!
Let me know if you have any questions about backpacking Ecuador and enjoy your journey!
