Ecuador’s capital sits at about 2,850 meters above sea level, in a narrow Andean valley ringed by volcanoes on both sides. In 1978, together with Kraków, it became the first city ever awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, thanks to being one of the best-preserved colonial old towns on the continent. The city’s atmosphere comes from the hush of its monasteries, its bustling markets and the distinctive freshness of the mountain air.

Quito attractions

Plaza Grande

The heart of the old town has held its central role since the city’s founding in 1534, and has been the setting for the most important decisions of both the colonial and republican eras. The square is enclosed on four sides by buildings of power and faith: the Carondelet Palace, the seat of the presidency, the Quito Cathedral, the archbishop’s palace, and the city hall.

The Independence Monument in the middle of the square was built in 1906, topped with a condor symbolizing victory over the Spanish crown. The president of the day regularly greets the gathered crowd from the balcony of the presidential palace, while former presidents of Ecuador rest inside the cathedral.

Cafés and shoe-shine stands line the arcades around the square, and street musicians fill the cobblestones in the evenings. Most walking tours also start from here, since every major sight in the old town is just a few minutes’ walk away.

Basílica del Voto Nacional

Construction of the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas began in 1892, built from stone quarried on the Pichincha volcano, and to this day it remains unfinished. According to local legend, if it were ever completed the world would end, so part of the towers has deliberately been left unfinished.

The 115-meter twin towers can be climbed via steep stairs and iron ladders, and the view is breathtaking: from up there the entire old town and the volcanoes towering above it come into view. The gargoyles decorating the façade depict not the usual dragons but iguanas, turtles, caimans and armadillos.

The stained-glass windows are shaped like native orchids, and the interior, with its soaring columns, delivers a true cathedral experience. In the evenings the façade glows in blue and green light, making it one of the old town’s most photographed night-time sights.

La Compañía de Jesús Church

Construction of the Jesuits’ church began in 1605 and took almost 160 years, finishing in 1765, resulting in Quito’s most magnificent baroque building. The façade’s Solomonic columns and rich stone carvings represent the pinnacle of Spanish colonial architecture.

The interior is covered in nearly seven tons of 23-karat gold leaf, which illuminates everything from ceiling to altar. The dome and walls are covered in Mudéjar-style decoration and paintings depicting heavenly scenes, blending Spanish, Moorish and Andean influences.

The church is known as Quito’s most photographed interior, although photography is not actually permitted inside, which only adds to the site’s special atmosphere. It stands just a few steps from Plaza Grande, so it’s easy to include on an old-town walking route.

San Francisco Church and Monastery

Ecuador’s oldest church and South America’s first Franciscan monastery was built in 1535, on the foundations of an Inca temple that are still clearly visible on the monastery’s lower levels. The adjoining square is one of the city’s largest and busiest colonial-era squares.

The baroque interior is adorned with gilded carvings, paintings and side chapels, while a series of colonial-era paintings along the monastery’s corridors tells the story of the order. The complex also includes a museum showcasing masterpieces of the Quito school of painting.

The staircase leading down from the square is a popular meeting spot and resting place, offering a great view of the church’s two bell towers. On Sundays craft vendors fill the square, so religious and everyday life are closely intertwined here.

La Ronda

This cobblestone street is one of the oldest quarters of colonial Quito, home for centuries to poets, musicians and craftsmen. Renovated in the early 2000s, the street is now one of the old town’s most popular spots for an evening out.

The ground floors of the low, colorfully fronted houses are lined with guitar-making workshops, craft shops and traditional pastry shops, where you can try the local specialty, canelazo, a warm cinnamon-and-rum drink. Many of the houses are still lived in, which keeps the quarter authentic and alive.

In the evenings, cafés with live music and small galleries open their doors, and impromptu street performances can often be heard along the narrow street. The atmosphere is at its most magical around dusk.

El Panecillo

On the hill above the old town stands a 41-meter aluminum statue of the Virgin of Quito, erected between 1975 and 1976 based on an 18th-century wooden statue by the Quito sculptor Bernardo de Legarda.

The statue is the only winged Madonna in the world, standing over a dragon that evokes a scene from the Apocalypse. Its base houses a small museum and a viewing terrace offering a 360-degree panorama over the old town and the distant volcanoes.

It’s best to reach the hill by taxi or on an organized tour, since walking in the area is less safe in the evenings. Sunset is the best time to come up.

TelefériQo

Opened in 2005 on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, this is one of the highest-climbing cable cars on the continent, carrying visitors in barely twenty minutes from 3,050 meters to nearly 4,050 meters, up to the viewpoint known as Cruz Loma.

Along the 2.5-kilometer route, the cabins leave the edge of the city, cross the tree line, and then glide on above the high-altitude páramo vegetation. On a clear day, the snow-capped peaks of Cotopaxi, Cayambe and Antisana are visible from the upper station.

Because of the high altitude, it’s worth preparing gradually for the trip and bringing warm clothing. Further hiking trails set off from the viewpoint along the volcano’s slopes, and horseback tours are also available.

Mitad del Mundo

The monument marking the middle of the world takes its name from the fact that the equator runs through Quito. The current 30-meter obelisk, topped with a globe, was unveiled in 1979 in honor of the 18th-century French-Spanish geodesic expedition.

The complex built around the yellow line includes an ethnographic museum, restaurants and gift shops, and visitors can stand with one foot in each hemisphere for a photo. According to modern GPS measurements, the true equatorial line actually runs about 240 meters further north.

The site lies within Quito’s administrative boundaries, in the San Antonio de Pichincha district, about half an hour’s drive from the old town. The visit can often be combined with the neighboring Intiñán Museum, which is built right on the true equatorial line.

Parque La Carolina

Known as the green lung of the new town, this park is a favorite spot among locals for relaxing and exercising, with running tracks, bike paths and sports courts lined up side by side.

The park is also home to a botanical garden, a natural history museum and an artificial lake where you can rent a boat. On weekends, crowds of families fill the grassy areas for picnics and bike outings.

The shopping district surrounding the park offers plenty of restaurants and cafés to stop at, making it easy to build a full day’s program around it. In the evenings the running tracks are lit up, making them suitable for exercise even late at night.

Guápulo Quarter

Tucked into the side of a steep canyon on the eastern edge of the old town, this quarter looks as though a separate Andean village had slipped into the edge of the big city. Its cobblestone streets wind their way down toward the Cumbayá valley.

At the heart of the quarter stands the 17th-century Sanctuary of Guápulo, whose baroque altars and statues are partly attributed to Manuel Chili, the famous Quito master carver. The viewing terrace above the church offers a stunning panorama of the valley.

Over the years, artists and musicians have discovered the quarter for themselves, so today galleries, small workshops and family restaurants add color to its streets. The atmosphere is calmer and more village-like than in the more crowded parts of the old town.

Parque Itchimbía

This park, spread over a hilltop above the old town, was once a garbage dump but has since been transformed into one of Quito’s most beautiful viewpoints and green spaces.

The park’s central building is a 19th-century iron-and-glass pavilion, originally intended as a market hall, later dismantled and transported piece by piece to its current location. Today it functions as an exhibition space and cultural center.

The hilltop offers an unmatched panorama over the old town’s church towers and the silhouette of the Basílica del Voto Nacional. The park’s paths are also popular among locals for running and walking dogs.

Best museums in Quito

Capilla del Hombre and Guayasamín Museum

The complex was conceived by Oswaldo Guayasamín, Ecuador’s best-known painter, as a tribute to his own life’s work and to the suffering of the peoples of Latin America. Construction began in 1995, but because the painter died in 1999, its doors did not open, posthumously, until 2002.

The block-like building was designed by Guayasamín himself together with his nephew, Handel Guayasamín, drawing inspiration from the shape of an Inca temple. Inside are the painter’s large, dramatic frescoes and painting cycles, including the unfinished “Potosí” series and the eternal flame burning for human rights and peace.

Besides the Capilla, the visit also includes the artist’s former home and studio, the Casa Museo, as well as an archaeological site made up of 13 pre-Inca tombs.

Full information here!

Casa del Alabado Pre-Columbian Museum

The colonial house that hosts the museum is one of the oldest buildings in the old town; an inscription dated 1671 above its gate preserves the memory of its founding. Located near Plaza San Francisco, the building served for centuries as a private residence and later as an apartment house.

The 17th-century mansion was converted into a museum by the Fundación Tolita, which holds around five thousand archaeological artifacts, five hundred of which can be seen in the permanent exhibition. The objects are grouped not by period but by conceptual themes, such as the notions of the underworld and the world above.

Visitors can explore the eight exhibition rooms, two quiet inner courtyards and a garden hiding a century-old fig tree, either with an audio guide or on a guided tour.

Full information here!

Museo Nacional del Ecuador (MuNa)

Founded by the Central Bank of Ecuador in 1969, originally occupying two floors of the bank’s headquarters. The core of the collection was built up from pre-Hispanic gold objects that the bank had acquired as part of its gold reserves.

The museum moved to its current home in the 1990s, into the “Mirrors Building” of the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, and after a lengthy renovation reopened its doors in 2018. Its six permanent galleries showcase around 14,000 years of Ecuadorian history, from the earliest artifacts through to modern and contemporary art.

Visitors can view pre-Columbian ceramics, gold objects, and masterpieces of colonial and republican-era painting free of charge. The museum is located in an easily accessible part of the new town, close to a metro station.

Full information here!

Museo Intiñán

This small museum dedicated to researching the middle of the world was founded in 1961 by the teacher and journalist Humberto Vera Herrera, who devoted his life to studying the indigenous peoples of the equatorial zone and the exact location of the equator.

This open-air, ethno-ecological complex is built on the true, GPS-measured equatorial line, about 240 meters north of the neighboring Mitad del Mundo monument. The grounds feature faithful replicas of the traditional huts of indigenous communities, including the Shuar and the Huaorani.

Bilingual guides use interactive experiments to demonstrate the equator’s unusual effects: here an egg can be balanced on a nail, and here you can watch water drain without forming a vortex. Thanks to its hands-on, playful presentation, it’s especially recommended for families traveling with children.

Full information here!

Quito weather: when is the best time to visit?

Quito’s climate is determined mainly by its elevation of 2,850 meters above sea level rather than by latitude: temperatures stay nearly constant all year round, and instead of the usual four seasons there are just two, a dry season and a rainy season.

Dry season (June–September):

This is when the weather is sunniest and most predictable, with daytime highs averaging 19–22°C and nights cooling to 7–9°C. Rainfall is lower and the skies are often clear, so the volcanoes and viewpoints are easier to see.

Rainy season (October–May):

Even though this is the longer period, it doesn’t mean constant rain – rather, expect short afternoon showers following sunny mornings. Daytime temperatures still hover around 15–21°C, with March and April being the wettest months.

Best time to travel to Quito:

The best time to travel is between June and September, when rainfall is lowest and the chances of clear skies for the volcano panoramas and the TelefériQo viewing route are highest. Ecuadorians like to say that in Quito you can experience all four seasons in a single day, which is why an umbrella and layered clothing remain useful travel companions all year round.

Frequently Asked Questions about Quito

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Ecuador is located in the northwestern part of South America, named after the Equator which passes through the country’s territory. It is situated between Peru and Colombia, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west. The country can be divided into four distinct regions: the coastal area, the Andean highlands, the Amazonian rainforest, and the Galapagos Islands.

Besides its extraordinary biodiversity and natural beauty, the rich historical heritage, Spanish colonial architecture, and vibrant indigenous cultures make the country unique.

Best places in Ecuador

Galapagos Islands

Located about 1000 kilometers west of Ecuador’s coast in the Pacific Ocean.

The volcanic archipelago consists of 13 major islands, 6 smaller islands, and numerous rocks. The islands are known as the birthplace of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, who visited here in 1835, and the species he observed inspired the development of his theory.

The main attraction of the Galapagos Islands is the unique, gentle wildlife that has evolved for thousands of years without natural predators. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and many other endemic species can be observed up close.

Visitors can explore between the islands via boat trips or island-hopping visits, where they can discover the unique ecosystem on strictly regulated paths, accompanied by trained conservation guides.

The crystal-clear seawater offers excellent opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Diving around Wolf and Darwin Islands is a particularly impressive experience, as they are among the world’s best diving sites.

Galápagos Islands attractions

Quito

Ecuador’s capital and second-largest city is located at an altitude of 2850 meters above sea level in an Andean valley. It is the second-highest capital city in the world.

The most valuable part of the city is the historic old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the best-preserved and least altered historic centers in Latin America. Walking through the narrow, winding streets of the colonial old town, we can admire numerous baroque churches, monasteries, and historic buildings. The La Compañía de Jesús church with its lavish gold decorations and the San Francisco monastery, one of the continent’s oldest religious complexes, are especially impressive.

From the elevated points surrounding the city, such as the Teleférico cable car or the winged Virgin Mary statue on Panecillo hill, there are wonderful panoramic views of the city and the surrounding volcanoes. Quito’s modern district, La Mariscal, is the center of bustling nightlife. The capital is rich in museums: the Middle of the World Museum or the Guayasamín Museum provide insight into Ecuador’s diverse culture and art.

Quito attractions, museums, weather

Cotopaxi National Park

Ecuador’s most visited national park is located just 50 kilometers from the capital, Quito. The main attraction of the park is the perfectly cone-shaped, 5897-meter-high Cotopaxi volcano, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes.

The national park is home to diverse ecosystems: the alpine tundra, the Andean páramo (alpine meadow), and mystical cloud forests with unique flora and fauna. Andean foxes, white-tailed deer, pumas, and the majestic Andean condors live here and can be observed by lucky visitors. Around Lake Limpiopungo at the foot of the volcano, there are easy hiking trails offering beautiful views of the snow-capped volcano and the surrounding landscape.

For adventurous tourists, climbing Cotopaxi presents a real challenge, although experience and acclimatization are necessary due to the high-altitude conditions. The climb usually begins at midnight so that climbers can reach the summit at sunrise.

Quilotoa Crater Lake

Located about 180 kilometers south of Quito, between the Andean mountain chains. The impressive emerald-green crater lake is situated at the bottom of a volcanic caldera.

Quilotoa is an active volcano that last erupted 800 years ago, creating today’s 3-kilometer-diameter, 250-meter-deep lake. Its special greenish-blue color is caused by volcanic minerals dissolved in the water.

From the viewpoints on the rim of the caldera at an altitude of 3900 meters, there is a breathtaking panorama of the lake and the surrounding Andean landscape. The most daring visitors can descend the steep path to the lakeshore, where kayaks can be rented to explore the water. The return journey, however, can be challenging due to the high-altitude air, so many tourists prefer to rent horses for the upward journey.

Around Quilotoa runs the famous Quilotoa Loop, a multi-day hiking trail that leads through the region’s small, isolated indigenous villages. During the hike, we can gain insight into the lives and traditions of the local Kichwa communities and immerse ourselves in the culture of the Andes.

Baños

Also known as the „Adventure Capital of Ecuador”, this small town is where the Andes meet the Amazon rainforest. It is named after the thermal springs that are due to the geothermal activity of the nearby Tungurahua volcano.

Baños is the center of adventure tours: among the excursions departing from the city is cycling along the „Route of the Waterfalls” where more than 60 different cascades can be seen. The eruptions of the active Tungurahua volcano occasionally produce spectacular lava flows and ash clouds. The „Casa del Árbol” (Tree House) and the famous „Swing at the End of the World” are located above the city, where visitors can swing out over a cliff while enjoying breathtaking views of the volcano.

In the center of the town is the neo-Gothic Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa, whose walls are decorated with representations of the Virgin Mary’s alleged miracles. The town is also known for its natural healing properties and wellness opportunities, with numerous spas offering beneficial mud treatments and massages. The local confectionery industry is also flourishing: the making of „melcocha” (handmade taffy candy) can be seen on the streets as the makers hang and pull the sticky sweets on wooden doors.

Cuyabeno Reserve

This vast, 590,000-hectare nature reserve is located in the northeastern part of Ecuador, in the Amazon Basin, and is considered one of the regions with the richest biodiversity on the planet.

The reserve has 14 lagoons, countless rivers, and swamps, forming one of the world’s largest wetlands. During canoe and kayak trips, we can observe pink river dolphins, giant otters, slow-moving manatees, and caimans sunbathing along the rivers. The rainforest is home to more than 550 bird species, including toucans, parrots, and various hummingbird species.

One of its special features is that five indigenous groups live in the area, maintaining their traditional way of life. Visitors can participate in cultural demonstrations where they can learn about the indigenous people’s knowledge of medicinal herbs, hunting techniques, and craft traditions.

Mount Chimborazo

Ecuador’s most challenging peak with its height of 6263 meters is one of the most impressive volcanoes in the Andes.

Although it is not the highest mountain on Earth, it holds a special place: since the Earth bulges at the Equator, the peak of the mountain is farther from the center of our planet than the summit of Mount Everest. So in a certain sense, it is the „point farthest from the center of the Earth”.

The national animal of Ecuador, the vicuña, a relative of the llama, lives in the conservation area around the mountain. These graceful animals graze in groups on the high-altitude pampas. The summit climb takes 6-10 hours and is only recommended for experienced mountaineers after proper acclimatization.

There are numerous marked hiking trails in the Reserve area that offer impressive views of the volcano. One of the most popular adventure tours associated with the mountain is the „Chimborazo descent” where you can cycle down from 4800 meters over nearly 40 kilometers.

Cuenca

Ecuador’s third-largest city is located in the southern part of the country, about 2500 meters high in an Andean valley.

Its full name is Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, and it was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1557 on the site of a former Inca settlement, Tomebamba. The historic center of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, is one of the most beautiful examples of Spanish colonial architecture in Latin America.

Cuenca’s distinctive New Cathedral (Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción) with blue domes is the symbol of the city. When its construction began in the 19th century, it was designed to be so large that it could „fit the entire population of Cuenca”. The city’s two most important museums are the Museum of Modern Arts and the Museum of Indigenous Cultures.

It is internationally known for its craft traditions, especially the making of Panama hats, which actually originate from Ecuador, not Panama. In local workshops, we can observe how these hats are made from toquilla palm. The city is crossed by four rivers, along which beautiful parks and promenades stretch.

Los Frailes

One of the most picturesque beaches on Ecuador’s coast is located in the Machalilla National Park in the southwestern part of the country. The name „Los Frailes” (The Friars) comes from the rock formations near the beach, which from a distance resemble monks.

This crescent-shaped, white sand bay with its crystal-clear turquoise water and surrounding dry tropical forest is a true natural paradise. The beach can be reached by a short 15-minute hike through the national park. Along the path, characteristic drought-resistant plants, including huge ceiba trees and various cactus species, can be seen.

In other parts of the national park, we can hike in the dry forest, home to more than 270 bird species, including hummingbirds and Amazon parrots. From the nearby fishing village of Puerto López, boat trips are organized between June and September to observe humpback whales that visit Ecuador’s coast annually.

Otavalo

This small town in Imbabura province, north of Quito, is world-famous for its colorful indigenous market. The Otavalo indigenous people have been known for centuries for their weaving and craft traditions that date back to pre-Spanish conquest times.

The main attraction of the town is Plaza de Ponchos, where one of the largest craft markets in Latin America takes place every Saturday, although it operates on a smaller scale on other days of the week. The market offers a dazzling array of colorful textiles, carvings, jewelry, musical instruments, and leather goods. Otavalo people can be recognized by their distinctive attire: men wear long hair and white pants, while women wear embroidered blouses and multi-layer necklaces.

The area around Otavalo is also rich in natural attractions. Nearby Lake San Pablo lies at the foot of the Imbabura volcano, which is revered in local myths as „Taita Imbabura” (Father Imbabura). The Peguche Waterfall is considered a sacred place among the indigenous people, especially during Inti Raymi (Sun Festival), when they perform ritual cleansing here.

Mitad del Mundo (Equator Monument)

This popular tourist attraction is located about 26 kilometers north of Quito. It marks the spot where the equator passes through Ecuador.

Mitad del Mundo means the „Middle of the World” in Spanish, referring to the fact that the Earth’s 0° latitude line is located here. The central element of the site is a 30-meter-high monument with a metal globe symbolizing the Earth at its top. Inside the monument, there is a small museum that showcases Ecuador’s ethnic diversity and the characteristics of the country’s different regions.

Interestingly, modern GPS measurements have shown that the true equator runs about 240 meters north of the monument, which is marked by another, less monumental but scientifically more accurate facility, the Intiñan Museum.

Isla de la Plata

This uninhabited island, located about 40 kilometers west of the Ecuadorian coast, is often referred to as the „Poor Man’s Galapagos”.

Although the island is not as diverse as the famous Galapagos Islands, it has similar wildlife and offers a much more affordable alternative from mainland Ecuador.

Its name means „Silver Island” in Spanish, which could refer to Sir Francis Drake’s allegedly hidden treasures, or the silvery sea water often seen around the island, or the silvery shimmer of seabird droppings. The island is part of the coastal Machalilla National Park, and one of its main attractions is the colony of blue-footed boobies, which are otherwise characteristic inhabitants of the Galapagos Islands. Besides these, red-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and albatrosses can also be observed.

One-day boat trips to the island depart from the fishing village of Puerto López. Between June and September, the journey offers a special experience as this period coincides with the migration of humpback whales.

Montañita

Ecuador’s famous surf paradise is located on the Santa Elena Peninsula in the southwestern part of the country.

This small coastal village was originally a quiet fishing village that began to gain popularity among surfers in the 1960s. Today, it has become one of South America’s most well-known surf destinations and a center for bohemian beach life.

Montañita’s main attraction is the excellent waves that present a real challenge for experienced surfers, especially between January and March when the best conditions prevail. The beach is approximately 3 kilometers long with golden sand.

For those looking for experiences other than partying and surfing, the nearby village of Olón offers a more peaceful alternative, or they can participate in ecotourism tours organized in the nearby Dos Mangas community, where they can explore the coastal rainforest.

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Galápagos Islands overview

Located near the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, the Galápagos Islands consist of 14 larger islands, 6 smaller ones, and over a hundred rocks.

Formed by volcanic and tectonic forces, the islands have diverse ecosystems, and each island differs from the others.

Known as a living museum of evolution, the islands are home to endemic species found nowhere else.

Charles Darwin studied the islands’ wildlife for several weeks, and in his honor, a small island in the northwestern part of the archipelago is named after him.

Situated west of South America, the islands legally belong to Ecuador. The capital is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island. Galápagos is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

It’s important to know that upon arrival at the airport, a fee of $100 is required for entering the national park, payable in cash.

The number of visitors is limited per island, and inter-island boat travel is also restricted to prevent overcrowding and excessive stress on the wildlife.

Only two airlines operate flights to the islands from Quito and Guayaquil. Unfortunately, prices are higher due to the monopoly. Travel by boat is possible but takes several days.

The best time to visit is between December and May, when there’s plenty of sunshine and the sea temperature is suitable for swimming. Besides the natural attractions, the most famous animal species include:

• Galápagos giant tortoises or elephant tortoises;
• Darwin’s finches;
• Galápagos fur seals;
• Blue-footed boobies;
• Iguanas.

Visiting is an exceptional experience as the animals are not very afraid of humans, allowing for close observation. Reports often mention, for example, iguanas casually wandering around people’s feet.

A few of the Islands

San Cristóbal

La Loberia beach, just south of the capital, is an accessible observation spot for giant tortoises and sea lions.

Another popular beach is Playa Punta Carola, near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galápagos province.

Santa Cruz

Puerto Ayora, a port city in the south, is the hub, and the Charles Darwin Research Station nearby showcases the archipelago’s wildlife. Sea iguanas and sea lions can also be seen on the city’s beaches.

Isabela

One of the most beautiful islands, formed by six volcanoes.

Its center, the quaint Puerto Villamil in the south, has a long, sandy beach frequented by iguanas. Near the town is the Arnaldo Tupiza giant tortoise sanctuary, housing hundreds of tortoises.

A short hike takes visitors to the Wall of Tears, a reminder that the islands served as a penal colony before 1960.

The nearby active Sierra Negra volcano offers hikes to its crater. Cerro Brujo’s white sandy beach is a haven for blue-footed boobies.

Rabida

A small island south of Isla Santiago, famous for its red beaches, resulting from the oxidation of iron-rich lava and washed-out sea coral sediments.

Bartolomé

East of Santiago Island, it features the iconic Pinnacle Rock. The small island offers beautiful sandy beaches and a short walk to its highest point, offering stunning views.

Genovesa

Home to Darwin Bay and Arcturus crater lake, and also a spot to observe the red-footed booby.

Floreana

Known for green sea turtles and a popular spot for animal observation. Devil’s Crown is an excellent snorkeling site.

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