✈️ Starting in Quito: Where Altitude Meets Attitude
Quito is a fantastic launchpad into Ecuador. Perched high in the Andes (and your lungs will feel it), it’s got a convenient international airport and connects easily with cheap flights across South & Central America.

Travel tip: I used Avios points for a return London–Miami fare (6 months apart) and snagged a one-way American Airlines flight from Miami to Quito for just £175. Use flight comparison tools and flexible dates for the best deals.

🛏️ Where to Stay in Quito
I stayed at The Secret Garden Hostel Quito, a social haven with dorms, privates, a buzzing rooftop bar and a killer view. Bonus? They offer a direct shuttle to their sister hostel in Cotopaxi (more on that dreamy paradise below).

Other top picks:
Vibes Hostel: Party-friendly with a lively atmosphere
Masaya Hostel: Beautiful colonial house, great for digital nomads
Selina Quito: Stylish chain with coworking

🗺️ Things to Do in Quito
Mitad del Mundo (Equator Line): Yes, you will take the photo with one foot in each hemisphere.
TelefériQo Cable Car: Stunning views, especially at sunset.
Day Trip to Quilotoa Crater Lake: Opt for a tour or DIY trek, or stay overnight for a proper hike.
🚨 Safety tip: Quito can feel dodgy at night. Stick to hostel advice on where not to wander after dark.

🏔️ Cotopaxi: Volcano Views, No WiFi, All Vibes
For $110, I booked the 2-night / 3-day Secret Garden Cotopaxi package. That includes transport from Quito, all meals (including dangerously addictive banana bread), tea/coffee, hikes, jacuzzi access and a cozy bed.

🌄 Highlight: The Pasachoa Trek
A guided 6-hour return hike through cloud forest and grasslands to 4,200m. Expect epic views, condor sightings, and maybe a llama photobomb.

Hostel tip: It’s a social crowd (20s–30s mostly), with fireside chats, stargazing, and alpaca feeding. No WiFi means real convos – although one sneaky nomad did manage to snag the staff password.
Bring extra snacks and cash – there's no store nearby, and card payments have a fee.

💦 Baños: Waterfalls, Whiplash & Wingsuits
Baños is Ecuador’s adventure capital and feels safe, charming, and endlessly walkable. You’ll find something between tranquil spa town and adrenaline-junkie basecamp.

🛌 Hostel Picks in Baños
Erupcion Hostel: Social hub with rooftop bar (my pick)
Community Hostel: Cozy & communal
Great Hostels: Yes, that’s the name – breakfast is fab
Hostal D'Mathias / Timara: Quiet, clean and well-rated

🧗 Top Activities in Baños
Bridge Jumping ($20): It’s not quite bungee jumping – it’s more like swinging into near-death. Worth it? Absolutely. Neck strain included.
Paragliding: Soar over the Andes – book via hostel.
Waterfall Route (Ruta de las Cascadas): Rent an ATV or car (manual only!) and hop from one waterfall to the next.

🍽️ Eat like a local: Hit the town market for a menu del día – a full meal for around $5.

🚌 Onward Travel Tip: Buses to Cuenca or Guayaquil leave from the central station. Stay sharp – bus stations are prime pickpocket zones.

🏙️ Guayaquil: Just Passing Through
Guayaquil isn’t high on backpacker wish lists, but it’s Ecuador’s main transit hub – especially if you’re Galápagos-bound. I spent just enough time to change buses. If you do stay, stick to central hostels and keep your wits about you.

🚌 Banos to Montañita took 12 hours by overnight bus via Guayaquil. Not ideal, but survivable (yes, I hugged my backpack the whole time).

🌊 Montañita: Surf, Spanish & Shots
Montañita is Ecuador’s notorious party town, where surfboards, cerveza and salsa rule the streets. It’s also a solid spot to learn Spanish or take a breather by the beach.

🎒 Hostel Highlights in Montañita
Hidden House Hostel: Party central
Casa del Sol: Yoga, chill vibes, strong coffee
Esperanto B&B: Beachfront beauty
Kamala Surf Hostel: Pool, volleyball, social dinners
My Little House: Relaxed and sociable

🌊 What to Do
Learn Spanish: Many local schools offer weeklong classes.
Surf or Rent a Board: Waves for all levels.
Scuba Dive in Puerto López: I did my PADI with Native Diving School here. It’s way cheaper than doing it on the Galápagos. Note: The $25 taxi to Puerto López adds up. Stay there during your course to save time and cash.

✨ Final Thoughts
Ecuador is compact, budget-friendly, and diverse – from volcanoes to beaches, cloud forests to colonial towns. You’ll never be far from a new adventure (or a hostel that turns into a bar after dark).