Ecuador & Galapagos

Ecuador and Galapagos family holidays

Ecuador is South America’s best kept secret and has the WOW factor for a truly exciting family holiday. On the mainland alone there is sublime scenery, from lofty snow-covered volcanic peaks to dense cloud-shrouded forest. There is also a vibrant colourful culture, rich history and wonderful range of activities. Add to this the truly unique and extraordinary diversity of the Galapagos Islands and you have all the ingredients needed for a one-of-a-kind family adventure.

The activities across the country are brilliant for children (and adults!). When in the Galapagos Islands you can swim with marine iguanas (or sharks for daredevil teenagers) and snorkel with sea turtles. You can spend the morning sunbathing with sea lions and the afternoon on a leisurely walk, marvelling at giant tortoises.

Family wildlife holidays in the Galapagos - girl on white sand beach with relaxed sea lion

Get close to wildlife on a Galapagos family holiday

Back on the mainland you can explore the jaw-dropping ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ with its snow-capped peaks and gorgeous green patchwork-quilt fields. There are lively highland markets with brightly coloured textiles and a soundtrack of pan pipes. And inland the steamy jungles and waterways of the Amazon offer unique wildlife experiences that rival those of Peru (without the crowds) or Brazil (without the price tag).

The accommodation in Ecuador is very family friendly. There are gorgeous haciendas in the mountains, complete with a crackling fire to welcome you in. Or remote riverside lodges in the Amazon, where you can sit on a deck and watch as the sun sets over the river-bank.

The people are particularly friendly and welcoming and travel is relatively easy, with a good network of regional flights and a reasonable road network.

Why take the kids?

There aren’t many countries that can offer such a range of child-friendly adventure. Our favourite activities on an Ecuador and Galapagos family holiday include:

Snorkelling with seals, penguins and turtles
Admiring snow-capped peaks on the Avenue of Volcanoes
Lounging on the beach on Espanola Island
Seeing a Giant Tortoise amble laboriously past
Hiking to emerald green Quilotoa crater lake
Straddling the Equator outside Quito
Adrenaline activities beneath a live volcano in Banos
Spotting monkeys, toucans and crocodiles in the Amazon

Banos - Pailon del Diablo waterfall - Ecuador family holidays

Hike to the Devil’s Throat waterfall at Banos and try other activities like the swings, zip lines, or cycling

Starting with the Galapagos, your days here will be filled with the winning combination of wildlife and swimming. You can watch whales and dolphins cavort in the sea and snorkel in an underwater coral-filled crater. You can scamper along sandy beaches in the company of playful seal pups and marvel at marine iguanas. Whether you choose to explore from land or on board a specialised vessel, there is adventure enough for even the most active family.

Child in boat exploring the Amazon - family wildlife holidays, Ecuador with kids

Explore Ecuador’s Amazon by boat and stay in an eco-lodge

Hop across to the mainland and your trip heads to new heights. Quito is an extremely hilly city with a live volcano on one side and the Equatorial Line running across the top. There are colourful Andean markets where you can teach the kids to haggle. You can wander cobbled streets past restored colonial buildings and travel along one of the most scenic highways in the world, the famous Avenue of Volcanoes.

Children will come into their own in the Amazon jungle. Even those who usually squeal at the sight of a spider at home will be fascinated by creepy crawlies in the rainforest. Head out on night safaris and spot luminous frogs hiding under monster vines and tree trunks. Enthusiastic ‘hunters’ will master the skill of the blowpipe and all ages will love falling asleep to the magical sounds of the jungle.

For more activity ideas and inspiring photos have a look at our Galapagos with Kids and Ecuador with Kids pages.

How easy is it to add the Galapagos?

The Galapagos islands are well connected to mainland Ecuador, with flights from the capital, Quito, and also from the seaside city of Guayaquil. Once you get to the islands you need to decide whether you want to be boat based (we can recommend the best vessels) or land based, in which case we can advise the best islands to spend time on. For more information and advice, check out our Ultimate Guide to the Galapagos. This gives you firsthand advice on how to make this a trip of a lifetime for all the family.

Spot many types of monkey on an Ecuador family holiday

Ecuador’s wildlife is prolific, with many types of monkeys, birds, lizards, frogs and more

Example Ecuador and Galapagos itineraries

All of our Ecuador and the Galapagos family holidays are bespoke. This means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family. We will take into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget and so on.

However, to give you an idea of what you could do on Ecuador and Galapagos family holidays, have a look at our sample itineraries, Volcanoes and Jungle and Ecuador & the Galapagos Highlights.

Also, check out some of the other places that you might like to visit on your family holiday to Ecuador and the Galapagos. If you need further inspiration, have a look at our photo gallery at the top right-hand side of this page.

Lastly, don’t forget to see what the weather will be like at the time that you want to travel. Or simply give us a ring, and we’ll be delighted to advise you on the best holiday to Ecuador and the Galapagos for your family.

PS. If you have booked with us, have a look at our handy Ecuador and Galapagos packing list.