Ecuador — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetSep 22, 2026

A Guide to the Galápagos Islands

Plan your visit to Ecuador

24 things in this story

IsabelaPlaceGalápagos Islands, Ecuadornear Alcedo Volcano and Wall of Tears
BartoloméSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorsnorkel with penguins
Santa CruzSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadormeet giant tortoises
Galápagos National ParkSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorrequires a certified guide to visit sites
Seymour AirportPlaceBaltra, Ecuadorprimary airport for the Galápagos Islands
San Cristóbal Island AirportPlaceSan Cristóbal, Ecuadorserves the east of the archipelago
Itabaca ChannelSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorwater taxis carry you over to Santa Cruz
Puerto AyoraNeighborhoodSanta Cruz, Ecuadorarchipelago's biggest town and ferry hub
Finch Bay HotelHotelSanta Cruz, Ecuadorpremium resort on Santa Cruz
Tortuga BaySightSanta Cruz, Ecuadortrail from Puerto Ayora, good for marine iguanas
North Seymour IslandSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorgreat places to walk among cactus and trees
Bartolomé IslandSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorgreat place to see resident penguins
Rancho El Chato ReserveSightSanta Cruz, Ecuadorhighlands of Santa Cruz, easily spot giant tortoises
Wall of TearsSightIsabela, Ecuadorbuilt by penal colony prisoners near Puerto Villamil
Gardner BaySightEspañola, Ecuadorgood for sea lions
Cerro BrujoSightSan Cristóbal, Ecuadorwhite sand beach on San Cristóbal
Galápagos Marine ReserveSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorteems with underwater wonders
Wolf IslandSightGalápagos Islands, EcuadorIt has an area of 1.3 km2 (0.5 sq mi) and a maximum altitude of 253 m (830 ft) above sea level.
Charles Darwin Research StationNature reservePuerto Ayora, EcuadorThe station is operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation which was founded in 1959 under the auspices of UNESCO and the…
Ruta de la TortugaTrailPuerto Ayora, Ecuadorwalk to spot Galápagos giant tortoises
Sierra Negra volcano hikeTrailIsabela, Ecuadorcrosses lava cinders to Volcán Chico viewpoint
Volcán ChicoSightIsabela, Ecuadorviewpoint atop Sierra Negra volcano hike
Darwin IslandsSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuador
Charles Darwin Exhibition HallMuseumPuerto Ayora, Ecuador

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Lonely PlanetAug 9

What to know before visiting Ecuador

Experience the best of Ecuador with these insider tips on health, safety and etiquette.

6 hotels in this story

Mashpi LodgeHotelQuito, Ecuadorpioneers conservation and community sustainability programs
Napo Wildlife Center EcolodgeHotelYasuní National Park, Ecuadorlocated in Yasuní National Park
La Casona del RondaHotelQuito, Ecuadorrestored colonial mansion in Quito
Hotel Boutique Santa LuciaHotelCuenca, Ecuadorrestored colonial mansion in Cuenca
San Jorge Eco-Lodge and Botanical ReserveHotelQuito, Ecuador
Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife ReserveHotelQuito, Ecuador

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Lonely PlanetJul 15

The 8 destinations pro travelers say ruin all others

Sometimes a life-changing trip is just as damning as it is magnificent, ruining you for any trip you eventually take. These destinations are worth that sacrifice.

15 things in this story

GreeceSightAthens, GreeceDestination that ruins all others.
Andes MountainsSightSantiago, ChileHigh mountains for skiing.
Laguna del IncaSightSantiago, ChileCrystal blue lagoon below the high Andes.
Maipo ValleyNeighborhoodSantiago, ChileBirthplace of Chilean wine.
MontanaNeighborhoodHelena, United StatesSummer destination for outdoor adventures.
YellowstoneSightGardiner, United StatesNational park in Montana.
Yasuní National ParkSightCoca, EcuadorAmazonian Ecuador park that brings visitors to tears.
Amazonian EcuadorNeighborhoodCoca, EcuadorEco-lodge with spider monkeys and paddle canoes.
El Questro StationSightEl Questro, AustraliaWestern Australia station with reds, greens, waterfalls.
Kimberley regionNeighborhoodBroome, AustraliaRegion in Western Australia with stark contrasts.
Ngorongoro CraterSightArusha, TanzaniaWorld's largest unbroken volcanic caldera with abundant animals.
CambodiaSightPhnom Penh, CambodiaAmazing people, food, and culture.
SicilyNeighborhoodPalermo, ItalyBeautiful island with kind people and great views.
Aegean SeaSightAthens, Greece
Tonlé Sap LakeSightPhnom Penh, Cambodia

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Condé Nast TravelerJul 14

The Best Islands to Visit for Turquoise Coves, Cliffside Villages, and World-Class Snorkeling

Welcome to paradise.

20 things in this story

KissamosNeighborhoodChania, GreeceConsider staying here for laidback Cretan lifestyle.
Balos LagoonSightChania, GreeceTake a ferry to wade in its shallow waters.
FalassarnaSightChania, GreeceKnown for its pink-flecked sands.
Tella TheraHotelCrete, GreeceFor a homey, hillside suite.
Minos Beach Art HotelHotelCrete, GreeceFor an artsy bungalow off the beaten path.
Kapsaliana VillageHotelCrete, GreeceFor an inland stay.
Cabot TrailTrailCape Breton, CanadaAn 185-mile loop through Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Cape Breton Highlands National ParkPlaceCape Breton, CanadaA third of the world-famous Cabot Trail winds through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, renowned for stunning ocean…
Skyline TrailTrailCape Breton, CanadaFour-mile trail ending with cliffside views.
Cabot Cape BretonParkCape Breton, CanadaFor golfing with ocean views.
Finch Bay Galapagos HotelHotelGalápagos Islands, EcuadorFor a breezy eco-lodge.
Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by HiltonHotelGalápagos Islands, EcuadorFor a tucked-away jungle retreat.
Sea Pines Nature PreservePlaceHilton Head Island, United States600-acre preserve with wetland boardwalks.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife RefugePlaceHilton Head Island, United StatesFor biking and bird-watching.
Coligny Beach ParkParkHilton Head Island, United StatesBustling beach park on the island's coastline.
Alder Lane BeachTrailHilton Head Island, United StatesQuieter beach, ideal for lounging.
The Inn & Club at Harbour TownHotelHilton Head Island, United StatesFor a country club classic with golfing.
Disney's Hilton Head Island ResortHotelHilton Head Island, United StatesFor an amusement park without the crowds.
Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront ResortHotelHilton Head Island, United StatesFor a sweeping beachside resort.
IsabelaPlaceGalápagos Islands, Ecuador

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Condé Nast TravelerDec 3, 2025

50 Most Beautiful Places in the World

From the Serengeti to the Grand Canyon—plus 55 more destinations you need to see to believe.

10 sights in this story

Valle de la LunaSightAtacama Desert, ChileLandscape startlingly similar to the moon.
Grand Canyon National ParkSightGrand Canyon, United StatesHike scenic loops for views of rocky badlands.
Avenue of the BaobabsAttractionMadagascarCenturies-old trees reach heights of nearly 100 feet.
Banff National ParkSightBanff, CanadaOverwhelms with views of the Canadian Rockies.
Moraine LakeSightBanff, CanadaIt is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 1,884 metres (6,181 ft).
Lake MinnewankaSightBanff, CanadaThe lake is 21 km (13 mi) long and 142 m (466 ft) deep, making it the 2nd longest lake in the mountain parks of the…
Bathsheba BeachSightBathsheba, BarbadosKnown for huge boulders and best waves for surfers.
Whitehaven BeachSightWhitsundays, AustraliaConsidered one of the world's most beautiful beaches.
Danxia Landform Geological ParkSightDanxia, ChinaStriped, multicolored mountains formed over 20 million years.
Lake LouiseSightBanff, Canada

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