If there are two destinations that seamlessly combine rich indigenous culture, jaw-dropping volcanic landscapes and exhilarating adventure with the greatest wildlife encounters on earth, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are it. I’m the latest of our team to have been lucky enough to explore both destinations with my own children, discovering for myself just how remarkably abundant and diverse this region is for families.
While the Galapagos Islands need little introduction – world-famous as the living laboratory for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution – mainland Ecuador is no less captivating. Combining the two into one seamless, ‘compare and contrast’ adventure creates the ultimate family holiday to South America.
Ecuador mainland
Far more than just a stepping stone before heading to the Galapagos, you’ll be amazed, as we were, just how much there is to see and do there: think volcanoes, Amazon jungle, charming colonial cities and colourful Andean markets. And, as simple as it sounds, our highlight for ultimate family bragging rights – straddling both sides of the equator at once.
1. Cotopaxi & Avenue of Volcanoes: High-Andean adventure
Hike on Cotopaxi’s lower slopes or tackle the 4,600-metre hike to the refuge
Ecuador is home to some amazing landscapes, most notably a 200-mile corridor of some of the world’s highest volcanoes, of which the snow-capped peak of Cotopaxi is the second highest. Staying in a characterful hacienda to soak up the views, active families can enjoy a range of activities here, from walking to Limpiopungo Lagoon to the more challenging hike to Cotopaxi refuge – both enjoying spectacular views. Horse-mad families especially love going riding with local Andean cowboys, and you can also go e-mountain biking on the lower slopes.
Parent tip: The altitude is high, with hikes starting at 4,600 m (15,000 ft) above sea level, so hydrate and take it slowly. Your guide will pace walking and activities according to your interests and energy levels.
Best for ages: 8+ (or active 6+ for gentler lower lagoon walks)
2. Amazon & Cloud Forest: Wildlife & indigenous cultures
Explore the Amazon rainforest close-up
The Amazon
If your kids are anything like ours, being able to say you’ve been to the Amazon rainforest is a BIG DEAL! Arriving by canoe, accompanied by a cacophony of jungle sounds (noisy macaws and chirping insects), we stayed in a gorgeous riverfront jungle lodge, sipping cool drinks and swinging in a hammock on the balcony. Accompanied by a guide, we floated downstream on a balsa raft, walked jungle trails, learned local indigenous skills like the medicinal properties of plants, spotted a terrific array of creepy crawlies, and learned how to use a blow dart (spoiler: we were terrible at it!).
Mindo Cloud Forest
Just three hours from Quito, the Mindo Cloud Forest feels like another world. Here, we hiked a waterfall trail and saw animals like hummingbirds, huge butterflies, frogs, howler monkeys and toucans. There are tonnes of active options for families here: ziplining, sky-biking, taking a cable car through the forest canopy, or floating along on a giant inner tube (family members all tied together).
Parent tip: Due to travel distances, we suggest that families with younger children concentrate on Mindo Cloud Forest as it avoids the long drive or flight required for a visit to the Amazon jungle experience.
Best for ages: 6+ for Amazon eco-lodges. All ages (4+) for Mindo Cloud Forest
3. Quito & the Middle of the Earth: Stand astride the Equator
Stand astride the Equator and explore Quito’s colonial centre
Whilst Quito is a surprisingly characterful colonial city to explore (and the second-highest capital city in the world after Bolivia’s La Paz), the opportunity to straddle the equator with one foot in each hemisphere is one no family (certainly not ours) can ignore.
Ironically, the Mitad del Mundo, the ‘Middle of the World’ monument, sits slightly north of the actual line itself, but the Intiñan Museum is bang on. It’s a magnet for must-do photo opportunities at the 0.00 latitude/longtitude sign and activities such as balancing an egg on a nail (will you get an Egg-master certificate?) and seeing which way the toilet flushes in different hemispheres. Did we as parents enjoy it just as much as our kids? You bet we did!
Parent tip: The Intiñan Museum is located in San Antonio de Pichincha (just 45 minutes north of Quito city centre). Make sure your children have a bit of local currency for the Middle of the World shops.
Best for ages: All ages (especially engaging for ages 5–14)
4. Otavalo indigenous market: South America’s biggest
Try the sweet treats, but Andean specialties like cuy (guinea pig) may not appeal!
A riot of colour and a feast for all the senses, Otavalo’s indigenous market (known locally as Plaza de los Ponchos and Centenario Market) is one of the largest markets in Latin America and, quite rightly, one of the most popular places to visit in Ecuador. Just two hours from Quito, you’ll find food stalls, colourful alpaca wool blankets, ponchos, rugs, tablecloths, jewellery and other Kichwa Otavalo world-renowned crafts. It’s open every day from 7 am to 6 pm, with Saturday the busiest day.
Parent tip: Pack an extra bag for souvenirs, take time to explore the market before purchasing, and don’t haggle, as a lot of time and work has gone into making these items. Whilst there are ATMs and some stalls accept cards, do bring small US dollar bills so you won’t be weighed down by change.
Best for ages: All age groups
5. Baños: High-octane activities from rafting to canyoning
Don’t miss ‘the tree at the end of the world’ rope swing, not for the faint-hearted!
Situated in a lush valley in the shadow of the Tungurahua volcano, Baños (or Baños de Agua Santa to give it its full name) is Ecuador’s adventure capital. It’s known primarily for two things: its namesake naturally heated thermal springs and just about every imaginable outdoor adventure sport you can think of.
Whilst families of every age will enjoy a soak in the hot springs (we enjoyed the hotels with on-site springs more than the busy public ones), activities like zip-lining, canyoning, mountain biking, and white-water rafting are more suitable for older children. In addition to the waterfall next to the thermal baths, the Ruta de Las Cascadas (Route of Seven Waterfalls) includes the Pailón del Diablo, a waterfall park complete with an enormous suspension bridge.
Parent tip: Baños is also home to fabulous local pizzerias, budget eateries and hot chocolate shops, whilst parents will love a massage at one of the many spas.
Best for ages: Teens and tweens (10+) will love the high-energy outdoor activities, whilst younger kids (6+) will adore El Bosque Encantado, the enchanted wood full of fairy forests and Ecuadorian Harry Potter-themed displays.
The Galapagos Islands
The novelty of seeing sea lions asleep on the beach benches never wears off!
Whichever Galapagos island you visit, you’ll have a unique wildlife experience, whether on land or water. Here are just a few of our favourite experiences. Exactly which islands you can visit will depend partly on whether you choose a cruise or a land-based stay, or a mix of both.
6. Santa Cruz Island: Giant Tortoises & Darwin Research Station
See the Giant Galapagos tortoises as they freely move around
Typically the first stop on any Galapagos adventure, Santa Cruz Island gives a wonderful wildlife flavour of what’s to come; land iguanas surround the airport itself, almost in greeting! From here our local guide whisked us off to the Giant Tortoise ranch, located in the nearby highlands. Even though many of the tortoises here are wild (and you’ll see them all over the highlands), many choose to live at the ranch thanks to plenty of vegetation to eat and muddy pools to soak in.
No visit to the Galapagos is complete without a must-visit Charles Darwin Research Station. The station is home to various giant tortoise breeding programmes; we loved the display featuring the famous Lonesome George and his story. You’ll get a tour of the station, see baby tortoises (tortugitas), and learn about the islands’ conservation efforts from the many informative displays.
Parent tip: Aside from being an immersive and engaging experience for all the family, it’s also a great place to stock up on souvenirs (clothing, bag, hats, stickers etc.) whose profits go towards conservation.
Best for ages: All ages will love this
7. Isabela Island: Swimming and snorkelling wildlife adventures
We all agreed this was the best snorkelling my family has ever experienced!
Isabela Island is one of the best places to snorkel in the Galapagos – so much so that our snorkel-mad family declared it not just the best snorkelling experience of our lives, but one of the top 10 things we’ve EVER done! Whether you are at Tintoreras or Los Tuneles (two of the best excursions you can do when staying here), you’ll be snorkelling in turquoise waters with abundant underwater wildlife.
From snorkelling with playful sea lions in Tintoreras to following our guide through the various channels at Los Tuneles, spotting Pacific green turtles (our total was five at once!), white-tip reef sharks and big rays, it’s an underwater extravaganza. Your guide will also ensure you find seahorses, diving down with each person in the family and group so you all get a fabulous, up-close-and-personal encounter.
Parent tip: Bring (or rent) short wetsuits for younger kids to keep them warm during longer snorkelling sessions. Like ours, some families prefer just a rash vest plus footless tights or long shorts.
Best for ages: 8+ years and comfortable with a snorkel. It’s worth bringing or renting a full-face snorkel for children if they struggle with the regular ones.
8. North Seymour Island: Land & sky wildlife encounters
Get a ring-side view of the famous blue-footed boobies
Each island you visit in the Galapagos will have a unique combination of wildlife, and one of my favourites for families is the unpopulated North Seymour Island, most famous for its abundant birdlife. You’ll spot unique courtship, mating, and nesting behaviours depending on the time of year, with both the blue-footed boobies and the largest colony of frigate birds in the entire archipelago.
Our kids loved following the island trails across North Seymour, stepping around sunbathing land iguanas, and seeing the frigate birds puffing up their red pouches. It felt like we were taking part in Attenborough’s Blue Planet documentary.
Day visits to North Seymour Island can be paired with a gorgeous beach visit to the northern side of Santa Cruz, where you may see pelicans, flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine gulls. After a stroll along the beach, head into the water with a snorkel.
Parent tip: Did you know that blue-footed boobies have slightly different coloured feet depending on which island they live on?
Best for: 6+ years
9. Bartolomé Island: Iconic landscapes & Galapagos penguins
Our families say they love Bartolomé’s panoramic views and seeing penguins darting through the water
Undoubtedly one of the best viewpoints in the archipelago, Bartolomé’s volcanic cone, adjacent to Pinnacle Rock, is a fantastic place for families to visit. Thanks to the wooden steps leading to the top, it is accessible to most ages on a guided walk. At the summit, you’ll have panoramic views of the Pinnacle and up to ten surrounding islands on a clear day. Exhilarating!
At its base there’s a lovely golden sandy beach where a small colony of penguins cohabit with sea lions and marine birds, and it’s possible to snorkel or swim here, witnessing wildlife firsthand. Look out for green sea turtles, colourful fish and playful sea lions and, if you’re lucky, see a super cute Galapagos penguin zip by! Bartolomé is accessible on a day excursion from Santa Cruz, as well as being a favourite on many expedition cruises.
Parent tip: The wooden boardwalk trail leading to the viewpoint overlooking Pinnacle Rock is 600 metres. Whilst easily accessible, younger children may struggle on hot days.
Best for ages: Best for ages: 6+ (372 wooden steps to the summit require steady legs)
10. Española Island: Coastal walks, coralline beaches & blow holes
Share Gardner Beach with the sea lions and spot waved albatrosses on Española
At 4.5 million years, Española is not just the oldest island in the archipelago but also one of the smallest. Only accessible by island cruise, families will enjoy the relaxed Gardner Trail along the coral sand beach, past snoozing sea lions. You can then cool off with a dip in the turquoise sea.
Española has several other claims to fame too. It’s home to the largest tortoise colony outside of Santa Cruz. It also features the only marine iguana population that remains green and red year-round. Finally, it is the sole nesting site for the Galapagos waved albatross, boasting a population 1,500 strong.
As well as lots of wildlife (which also includes brightly coloured crabs, pelicans, sea lions and blue-footed boobies), the island’s other main draw for families is the famous Galapagos blowhole. A circular hike of about 3.5 km leads to Suarez Point, where you’ll see a spectacular fountain of water thrust some 30 feet in the air. You’ll hear it before you see it!
Parent tip: While zodiac boats here have a ‘dry landing ‘, the steps can be slippery, so take care. Bring hats, sunscreen, and lots of water as you explore – in common with many islands, Española is exposed. Trainers or enclosed footwear are also a must – volcanic rock is sharp!
Best for ages: 8+
Ready to plan your family trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos with the kids?
Finding the right balance between high-altitude mountain hikes, jungle wildlife, and island boat trips can feel overwhelming, but that’s where we come in. Several of our team have road-tested Ecuador and the Galapagos with our own children so that we can tailor an itinerary to your family’s exact ages, interests, and budget.
Give our specialist team a call on 01728 752751 or drop us a message via our online enquiry form to start planning your bespoke family trip today.
For other Latin America destinations, see our selection of features:
Ecuador & Galapagos Family Travel Guide
Guide to Family Travel in Latin America
Northern Argentina Highlights
Brazil with Kids: Top 10 Unmissable Experiences
Costa Rica with Kids: Top 10 Things to do with the Family
If you enjoyed our Ecuador and Galapagos top ten blog, please share it on social media. Thank you!
Kelly and her family in Ecuador
Kelly Perks, Product Manager at Stubborn Mule Travel, wildlife enthusiast & foodie.
With 25 years’ travel industry experience, Kelly has been at the heart of Stubborn Mule for a decade, helping expand our initial handpicked destinations into a worldwide collection of tailor-made family adventures. Having explored Asia, Central and South America, and Europe, Kelly has taken her own family on life-enhancing journeys through Jordan, Borneo, Ecuador and the Galapagos.
Her experience includes:
- Travelling worldwide, most recently to Kenya, Southern India, Madeira, the Azores and Ecuador
- Working in all areas of family travel design since 2002
- Visiting over 40 countries worldwide
- Seeking out exciting new areas for families, putting together kid-proof trips from scratch
- Sourcing different and exciting new activities for clients and helping test them
As a parent to teenagers, Kelly understands the challenges of adventurous family travel. Experiencing firsthand what works best for parents and children of all ages, she brings a wealth of global travel insight to every Stubborn Mule recommendation.
