Ecuador: 4 places to see - Amazon to Cotopaxi and Puerto
This Ecuador travel route covers diverse landscapes across the country, from the Amazon rainforest with its wildlife and waterfalls, through the Andean highlands featuring Cotopaxi volcano and the town of Baños, to experiences with local indigenous communities and natural attractions like Pailón del Diablo waterfall.
- Distance
- 375.9 km
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Getting to the Amazon
- End
- Whale Watching in Puerto Lopez
- Stops
- 4
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Getting to the Amazon — Gateway to Ecuador's vast rainforest ecosystem, offering access to indigenous communities and unparalleled biodiversity in the world's largest tropical basin.
- Banos (Pailon Del Diablo) — Dramatic waterfall plunging into a natural canyon pool, accessible via suspension bridges and jungle trails in this adventure-hub town.
- Driving up Cotopaxi — Ecuador's second-highest active volcano rising 5,897 meters, with switchback roads through high-altitude páramo offering stunning Andean vistas.
- Whale Watching in Puerto Lopez — Coastal port town where seasonal humpback whale migrations create prime marine wildlife viewing opportunities from June through September.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- To visit Cotopaxi volcano, you need either a local guide or your own car; local taxi drivers are not permitted to enter the park.
- Where to stay
- Hamadryade Lodge is a recommended accommodation in the Amazon region for jungle exploration and wildlife spotting.
- Where to stay
- Hacienda El Porvenir is a recommended stay at the foot of Cotopaxi volcano with comfortable mountain lodge amenities.
- Where to stay
- Casa El Eden is a recommended accommodation in Quito's Old Town with unique architecture and views.
- Timing
- Over 7,000 humpback whales migrate through Puerto Lopez waters during summer months to mate and give birth, making it the best season for whale watching.
- Tip
- Whale watching tours in Puerto Lopez can include marine biologists who catalog whales by fin markings, combining tourism with whale research efforts.
- Tip
- Visit Pailon del Diablo waterfall in Banos; there is a famous swing called 'The Swing at the End of the World' located high on a nearby mountain.
- Avoid
- Be prepared for heavy daily rain and tropical humidity in the Amazon region; bring appropriate waterproof gear.
- Tip
- Pack warm clothing when visiting Cotopaxi; the volcano sits above 14,000 feet elevation and is extremely cold and windy at the summit.
- Tip
- Ecuador offers diverse ecosystems in close proximity: Amazon jungle, Andes mountains with volcanoes, and Pacific coastline with marine life, all accessible in one trip.
Video on this route
Ecuador - NOT What We Expected!