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After two magical trips to Ecuador with 15 years in between, this is somewhere I’ve visited at different stages in my travel journey.
The first time, I was 19 and travelling with friends on my first backpacking trip. I didn’t have the confidence or even desire to travel solo at that stage. Flash forward a decade and a half, and I’m a confident solo traveller who’s travelled to destinations like India, South Africa and Mexico alone.
Now, in my 30s, I’m less about the party hostels and more about quality interactions, often with other travellers in their 30s. It’s been a life-affirming ride, and one I hope doesn’t end soon. Trip three to Ecuador in another 15 years, aged 50? We’ll see!
The one thing that remained the same? Ecuador! This wonderful country with mesmerising wildlife and friendly people isn’t all that different 15 years on.
Whether you’re travelling solo in Ecuador or not, you’ll have a great time. In this guide, I’ll share all my tips for visiting alone, covering safety, meeting people and more. Let’s start with the positives…
Good things about travelling Ecuador solo
- Diversity of destinations and activities – you won’t get bored with hiking, outdoor activities, pleasant colonial cities and culture.
- Affordability – there’s no need to feel restricted to dorms and public transport over taxis because getting a private room or calling an Uber is affordable.
- Decent tourist infrastructure – plenty of good hostels, free walking tours and guided activities.
Challenges about solo Ecuador travel
- Some safety concerns – including in Quito. It’s not game over (as I’ll explain), but you need your wits about you.
- Stray dogs – these are common on hiking trails and, as a solo traveller (who always seems to get bitten by random dogs), it put me off doing things like hiking the Quilotoa Loop alone
- Travel logistics – you always have to transit through Quito between destinations, and the bus stations and airport are far from the city. It means getting numerous taxis without anyone to split them with.
Is Ecuador safe for solo female travel?
Ecuador has received negative press in recent years after a conflict between the government and armed groups led to a state of emergency in early 2024.
Understandably, this will cause concern for some foreign travellers, solo or otherwise.
Luckily, the situation is now de-escalated and only certain (easily avoidable) areas are affected by criminal groups.
In 2025, I visited Ecuador solo and had a fantastic time! Certain areas in Quito felt sketchy (similar to most big cities in the world), and it’s best to avoid walking at night, but other destinations like Mindo, Cuenca, Baños and the Galapagos Islands feel super safe.
If you’re on the fence, I’m here to reassure you that travelling alone in Ecuador is perfectly safe in 2025, provided you follow normal safety protocol you would anywhere. Let me (and the numerous other solo female travellers I met) be proof of that!
Note – I will list all prices in this post in USD which is the official currency of Ecuador.
Areas to avoid
- The Colombian border – although I met some backpackers travelling from Colombia to Ecuador by bus, I decided to skip this as a woman travelling alone. I flew from Bogota to Quito for $250 (not bad since I skipped days on a bus!).
- The coast – it’s a shame that surf hubs like Montañita, once popular with tourists, are now deemed unsafe. I met travellers who still went, but it’s worth noting that several state departments (including the UK) advise against going, which will likely make your travel insurance invalid.
Is Ecuador suitable for first time solo travellers?
Honestly, I’m sure it’s been done and gone just fine. However, it wouldn’t be my number one pick.
Due to there being some safety concerns and not much English being spoken, it’s probably only suitable as a first-time solo travel destination if 1) you speak Spanish and 2) you have experience travelling in Latin America.
I noticed there weren’t THAT many foreign travellers in Ecuador (in 2025). Compared to neighbouring countries where I travelled solo like Colombia and Peru and found hostels always full, it was only the popular Secret Garden hostels that had a consistently lively atmosphere. I think you’d want more community for your first solo trip.
Destinations in Latin America that provide a better first-time travel experience include Costa Rica and Peru where the tourist infrastructure is more developed and you’ll meet more travellers to explore with.
Do you need to know Spanish?
It will really help. Lots of locals working in tourism will speak English, but you’ll need to know the basics when buying bus tickets and eating in local restaurants. As soon as you go off the beaten tourist path, you’ll find that not many people speak English.
The exception is the Galapagos Islands where you don’t need much Spanish to get by, honestly.
However, don’t be put off if you’re not fluent in Spanish. I’m not. As long as you try, Ecuadoreans are very friendly and helpful.
Just do your best using language-learning apps, watching Netflix with subtitles, and getting a SIM card so you can use translation apps when exploring.
How to get to Ecuador
The most common routes are flying into either Quayaquil or Quito international airports. I highly recommend the latter, if possible, because Quito is a much safer city.
Quito’s main airport is Mariscal Sucre International Airport, located a 50-minute drive from the city centre by taxi or bus. More details to come.
How to get around Ecuador alone
Buses – this is the main way. Main companies include TransEsmeraldas, Transportes Occidentales and Flota Imbabura. Bus travel in Ecuador is affordable: I paid just $3.60 for the 2-hour ride from Quito to Mindo!
Annoyingly, with Ecuador travel, you usually need to transit in Quito where there’s no central bus station. Instead, it depends on where you’re travelling to… And the stations are far apart. For example, if you were travelling from Mindo to Baños, you’d arrive at Terminal Ofelia, a 1-hour taxi ride from Terminal Quitumbe.
Tip – watch your bags during transit and at bus stations. They don’t have the best reputations, but I didn’t have problems. Also, don’t worry about buying tickets in advance; they’re usually available last minute.
Ecuador Hop bus – similar to the Peru and Bolivia services, this bus picks you up at the door of your accommodation and drops you at your next one. It’s a secure option where you’re bound to meet other travellers. However, it’s pricey: $89 for the Quito to Baños pass, allowing you to stop in Cotopaxi and the Quilotoa Loop. However, there are several other places you’ll want to go, as I’ll mention next.
Flights – these can be handy to avoid long bus rides. For example, a 1-hour flight from Quito to Cuenca will save you an 8-hour bus ride. Just be aware that Quito Airport is a 50-minute drive from the city and will cost $15+ in Uber or InDrive.
Where to travel solo in Ecuador
After two trips to Ecuador 15 years apart, here’s where I recommend travelling…
Quito (the capital)
Quito is definitely worth visiting (in fact, you’ll have to transit several times between other places), but I don’t think it’s anyone’s favourite city in the world, and it does have some safety issues.
I had no problems there, but I did hear horror stories of other travellers getting their phones stolen. I only walked around in the daytime in areas I knew to be safe, but I hear the Old City is almost derelict at night, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.
On the plus side, the negativity around Quito meant I had low expectations, and I ended up liking it more as a result. I thought the Historic Centre was charming, and areas like San Blas and La Mariscal (where you’re likely to stay) were pleasant with nice restaurants and cool coffee shops.
Safety tips for solo travel in Quito:
- Don’t walk at night – catch an Uber or InDrive instead (the latter is cheaper, but cash-only)
- Be aware of unsafe areas – for example, the side of El Panecillo hill. To see the views from the top, get a taxi rather than walking.
- Avoid using your phone on the street – duck into a shop or restaurant when you need to use Google Maps.
Getting from the airport to the city – Uber costs around $25 but InDrive, a cash-only app, costs around $15. Message on the Hostelworld chat (on the app; you are added when you book a hostel) to see if anyone wants to share; I split the ride with another solo female traveller.
Alternatively, get a bus from the airport to Río Coca Terminal for $2 then an Uber for $3 to the city centre. I did this alone and felt safe. If you’ve just landed in Ecuador, have an e-SIM already downloaded to call Uber.
What to do in Quito
- Take a free walking tour in the Historic Centre of Quito. After, wander along La Ronda, the prettiest street.
- Visit the Basílica del Voto Nacional church with its quirky animal carvings. Use your imagination to decipher what they are – there’s some debate as to whether the architect had seen some of the animals before! Climb the church tower for the best pano views in town.
- Walk in Parque La Carolina and eat affordable street food.
- Ride TelefériQo Cable Car – I ran out of time for this (and have done loads in South America by this point), but it looks fun and beautiful.
- Visit impressive churches in the city centre like the Church of the Society of Jesus.
Where to eat in Quito
- Typical Ecuadorean food at San Ignacio – the locro quiteño (cheesy potato soup) was tasty
- Quality Asian food at 21 Bit Coffee – the wonton soup and bubble tea were great
- Coffee, pastry items and sandwiches with great views at Chuda Madre (city centre)
- San Blas area: Focaccia and coffee at Cucungo, brekkie at Atavico, pizzas and salads at Convergencia, Italian food at Delirium, Coffee at Zular
- La Mariscal area: coffee and sandwiches at El Cafecito, curry at Sher e Punjab (as a Brit I needed my tikka masala fix!), sushi at Noe, coffee at Relief, coffee & books at Tres Gatos.
Where to stay: I stayed in San Blas (a pleasant area within walking distance of the centre) at the famous Secret Garden Hostel. It’s a great option for solo travellers in Ecuador with a social vibe, rooftop views and $1.80 avocado toast for brekkie!
For a quieter, cosy vibe, I liked El Patio Hostel in La Mariscal, a residential area with good cafes and restaurants, a 10-minute drive from the centre. There’s a decent kitchen, comfy sofas and a book exchange. The 4-bed female dorm (with bunks featuring curtains, personal lamps and chargers) is $10 per night.
About the ‘middle of the world’
There are two locations beside each other (an hour’s drive from the city). One is the Middle of the World Park with a monument and the equator line on the ground. However, this is the historical location that some French historians decided, rather than the actual geographical line.
Although it’s a cool place to take photos, the real equator line is a few minutes walk away at…
Intiñan Equator Museum – staff do fun experiments here, showing how water swirls in different directions on each side of the equator line. The $5 entry fee also includes a mini cacao workshop and chocolate tasting. Recommended!
Getting there: the Secret Garden Hostel runs daily tours to the Middle of the World park at 2.30pm for $10pp. This only includes transport (and doesn’t include Intiñan Museum) so I managed to recruit two other guests to Uber there. It costs around $10 per taxi, each way.
Since the Middle of the World is to Terminal La Ofelia bus station, I headed there after to board a bus to Mindo (I had an overnight bag packed and my luggage in storage at the Quito hostel). The bus then actually stopped back at the Middle of the World but I couldn’t figure out where the stop was!
Mindo
My favourite place in Ecuador! The nature and wildlife here are world-class… I’d describe it as Costa Rica without the prices! It’s a safe, small town where you can walk freely (although I did find the streets were poorly lit, meaning it felt slightly eerie at night).
I loved Cinnamon Hostel: it’s new and modern with cute hostel pets and hummingbirds on the bird feeders. I saw an agouti each day walking there. Although the hostel wasn’t busy, I met two other solo female travellers to split a bird-watching tour with.
Things to do in Mindo
- Bird watching – I highly recommend going with Marcelo (click for WhatsApp number). For $30pp, the friendly husband-and-wife team prepared a breakfast spread, and were so knowledgeable about the wildlife, flora and fauna.
- Catch the tarabita (like a cable car) to hike between waterfalls. I felt safe here alone. The tarabita is an hour’s walk from town (uphill) so I caught a taxi there and walked back.
- Visit Mariposario butterfly farm – I walked here from town, it takes 40 minutes.
- Hike on the Yellow Trail to Hacienda San Vincente – I ran out of time for this but it looks lovely.
- Chocolate workshops at Yumbos – our guide was so knowledgeable. In addition to seeing the whole process from bean to bar, we sampled solid chocolate, drinking chocolate and chocolate tea all for $10!
Where to eat in Mindo
- Ecuadorian tacos at Tacos Verde – I liked the coconut shrimp ones. They’re made with plantain flour tortilla, creating a local twist on the OG taco.
- Arepas at My Little Venezia – affordable, hearty arepas with fillings including meat, beans, avocado, cheese and more.
- Middle Eastern food at Persian House – I never made it here but it has rave reviews.
- Veg versions of local dishes at Mishqui Quinde – the portions are generous and everything is delicious; you don’t need to be vegan to visit. It shuts at 7.30pm.
- Yumbos – even if you don’t do a full chocolate workshop, drop in for hot chocolate and the best brownie I’ve ever had.
- Quality coffee at Toucanet / Cafe Bristol.
Getting to Mindo: the bus from Terminal La Ofelia in the north of Quito costs just $3.60 each way and takes 2 hours.
Cuenca
This is the best place for solo travellers in Ecuador who love cities and culture! Without the safety concerns of Quito, Cuenca is somewhere to wander at your leisure, stop at cute cafes and admire some of the most stunning architecture you’ve ever seen.
Wander the UNESCO city centre, take a free walking tour to understand the history, relax in Parque Calderón, visit the Cathedral, shop for Panama Hats (famously made here), walk along the banks of Tomebamba River, and visit Mirador de Turi for the best views.
Cuenca is located in southern Ecuador, an 8-hour bus (from Quitumbe station) or a 1-hour flight from Quito, and a natural stop-off point if you’re overlanding towards Peru.
Galápagos Islands
As you can probably imagine due to the prices, the Galapagos isn’t a backpackers’ paradise with tons of solo travellers. But it’s very safe and so ‘bucket listy’ that, of course, countless people come here alone. Who would want to miss it?
I visited three Galapagos islands, flying into San Cristobal, out of Santa Cruz (Baltra airport), and visiting Isabela by ferry in between. Santa Cruz is the most commercial, and I took fantastic day trips to Pinzon and Santa Fe islands, but it was my least favourite island overall.
My ultimate highlight was the 360 tour on San Cristobal where I saw rays, turtles, seals, dolphins and three types of sharks including hammerheads. I also liked the Tunnels tour on Isabela because we saw so many Blue-Footed Boobies, and the striking volcanic scenery of the Sierra Negra hike.
Are there hostels on the Galapagos Islands? Yes… but weirdly, they’re not cheaper than private rooms! There are a few listed on Hostelworld but they’re not typical hostels with bunk beds; instead, you share a room of single beds with other guests.
Once I had worked this out, I stayed in private rooms on Airbnb / guesthouses I found on Booking.com, instead.
Cost of visiting: A small fortune! I paid $400 for return flights from Quito, $200 (cash only) for the Galapagos entry fee, $100-180 for daily boat trips (I took four), and $30 per ferry between islands.
On the plus side, accommodation only cost me about $20 a night (private rooms for one) and ‘menu del dias’ (2-3 course meals with a drink) can be found everywhere for as little as $6!
Overall, I spent $1600 on a 10-day Galapagos trip including everything listed above. Well, at least it’s a fraction of doing it by cruise!
Otavalo
This cute town in the Andean highlands is somewhere I have warm memories of visiting during my first trip to Ecuador in 2009. It’s primarily known as THE place to shop for textiles and handicrafts, especially woven goods.
Saturday is market day and the best time for shopping. However, there are other things to do in Otavalo so it’s still worth visiting during the week. My highlight was the beautiful Cuicocha Lake Hike.
Getting there: Catch a 2-hour bus from Carcelén Terminal in Quito.
See this up-to-date Otavalo guide because I didn’t revisit on my most recent solo Ecuador trip.
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi refers to the volcano and the national park, located around a 2-hour drive from Quito. Although there are various accommodation options and tours to the park, undoubtedly the best option for solo travellers in Ecuador is staying at the Secret Garden Cotopaxi Hostel.
Although I think it’s very overpriced ($100 for a two-night stay in a basic shared dorm including meals and a couple of guided hikes), it’s one of the most stunning places I’ve ever stayed! Also, it’s a cosy, homey experience with a comfy social area and hostel pets. Having all your meals cooked is a respite from classic backpacker life!
It’s also a social option because there’s no Wi-Fi and nothing much to do in the evenings apart from chat and play card games with the other guests. From horse riding to hiking, there’s plenty to do in the daytime… Or you can simply enjoy the hot tub and admire the views from a hammock!
The ride from Quito is included but your onward journey (either back to Quito or another destination in Ecuador) isn’t.
Baños
Baños is a natural wonderland in Central Ecuador, bordering the Amazon. The town is quite touristy and not that interesting, but the surrounding nature is spectacular.
White water rafting, canyoning, zip-wiring, waterfall-hopping… Name it and you can do it in Baños! Adrenaline lovers will love the swing at the end of the world (for just $1!) at Casa Del Arbol.
As a tourist hub, this is a safe, easy place to visit for women travelling alone. Some of the best hostels in the country, like Mama Tungo and Casa del Molino Blanco, are here.
Getting to Baños: Buses from Quito’s Terminal Quitumbe take 3-4 hours and cost around $5. They run regularly from 6am-5pm. Factor another $5 for the taxi to the bus terminal from Quito city centre.
The Amazon Rainforest
Stretching across nine countries in South America, there are plenty of places to experience the Amazon. Although Brazil is the most famous, I’ve also been in Peru and Ecuador.
If you’re keen to visit the Amazon in Ecuador, Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve are your best options. Both offer basic lodges and the chance to see wildlife during canoe and hiking tours. With less time, Misahualli can be a good option as it’s closer to Quito.
Hostels in Quito will be able to organise the whole package for you, if doing the research and travelling there alone feels overwhelming. The Secret Garden Hostel offers several options in Yasuni and Cuyabeno (browse the website or chat to the staff on the front desk; they’re friendly and helpful).
Where not to go solo in Ecuador
Guayaquil – I heard but nothing but negative things about safety in Ecuador’s most populous city, even from male travellers (and locals).
Montañita and the coast (or maybe just not right now) – given Ecuador’s recent security situation and the prevalence of gang activity in coastal regions, the coast isn’t recommended in 2026. It’s a beautiful surf spot that I visited years ago; I’ll update this post when things hopefully change.
Quilotoa Loop – after being attacked by three wild dogs in South America (on different occasions – bad luck, I know!), I decided not to do this multi-day hike solo because I heard stories about aggressive stray dogs on the trail. I’m not saying don’t go but maybe try to join with some other travellers (via hostels or the Hostelworld group chat) for safety in numbers. It looks beautiful!
Solo Ecuador itinerary
The itinerary below takes around two weeks including travel time…
2 days in Quito: take a free walking tour, visit the Middle of the World, walk in Parque Carolina, ride the cable car.
2 days in Mindo: bird watch and ride the tabita to Santuario de Cascadas to hike between waterfalls.
3 days in Cotopaxi: if you stay at Secret Garden Cotopaxi and take their shuttle, you’ll stay 2 nights and leave on the morning of day 3. They offer shuttles back to Quito, or you can take their 1-hour shuttle to Machachi followed by a bus to Quilotoa (1.5 hours) or Baños (3.5 hours).
2 days in Baños: try rafting, zip-lining and the giant swing at Casa del Arbol.
2 days in Cuenca: soak up the city and relax. Factor in time to travel back to Quito from Baños (4-hour bus) then on to Cuenca (8-hour bus), both from Quitumbe station.
Visiting the Galapagos? Steal my 10-day itinerary
3 days on San Cristobal (where I flew into): I spent a day on the 360 boat tour, another day snorkelling for free at Muelle Tijeretas, and another day visiting Man Beach and the Darwin Interpretation Centre in the morning, then La Loberia Beach in the afternoon.
3 days on Santa Cruz: after a morning ferry, I spent the afternoon at Charles Darwin Research Station seeing giant tortoises. During the next 2 days, I took boat trips to Pinzon Island and Sante Fe Island (I preferred the latter).
3 days on Isabela: after a morning ferry, I spent the afternoon snorkelling for free at Concha de Perla. I did the Tunnels boat tour the next day, and cycled to the Wall of Tears the next day. The final morning, I did a guided Sierra Negra volcano hike before the afternoon ferry to Santa Cruz for my flight the next morning from Balta airport.
How to make friends travelling alone in Ecuador
- Stay in hostels, particularly the Secret Garden in Quito and Cotopaxi. They do plenty of organised activities and have excellent social areas.
- Hostelworld group chat – when you book a hostel, you get added to two chats on the app: one for the hostel and one for the town. Post to suggest meeting up or splitting taxis/activity costs (I met two lovely solo travellers by doing this for a bird-watching tour in Mindo).
- Free walking tours – these are a great way to meet people. A guy on mine in Quito turned out to be staying at the same hostel in the Galapagos – a small world!
- Guided activities – things like cooking classes, hiking tours and any of the adrenaline activities in Baños. I always find shared interests to be more bonding than small talk at the hostel bar.
Staying connected during solo Ecuador travel (SIM cards)
I got a CLARO SIM card in Ecuador by going into a Claro store in Quito (bring your passport). It cost $15 for 12 GB, valid for a month. I spent almost an hour in the shop whilst they set it up.
The same amount of data with an e-SIM will typically cost around $40 so it depends whether the convenience is worth it for you. I have always had smooth experiences with Airalo, and got 1 GB with them before getting the CLARO SIM so I could call an Uber when first landing in Ecuador. Browse packages.
Travel insurance
I recommend True Traveller which I use myself. I pay around £30 (€40) a month when getting a year’s plan. As well as pre-existing health conditions, they’ll cover you if you’re already travelling and/or don’t yet have your flight home booked.
The claims process is easy; I’ve done it twice and received the money within days. Click to get a quote.
Note – the basic ‘True Value’ package only includes hiking up to 3000m so, if you do any hikes in Ecuador, check their elevation as you may need to upgrade (the ‘Traveller’ pack covers you up to 4,600m and the Extreme Adventure pack up to 6000m).
True Traveller is just for European residents (including the UK) so, for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing.
Thanks for reading!
More solo travel guides to South America:
- Solo travel in Colombia
- Peru solo travel guide
- Solo female travel in Bolivia
- Chile solo female travel
- Travelling alone in Patagonia (Chile & Argentina)
- Argentina solo travel guide
- Is Brazil safe for women travelling alone?
Central & North America:
- Solo female travel in Belize
- Is Guatemala safe for solo travel?
- Nicaragua solo travel guide
- Travelling alone in El Salvador
- Costa Rica solo travel guide
- Guide to solo travel in Panama
- Solo female travel in Mexico
- Is Mexico City safe for solo travel?
- 3 days solo in New York
- Tips for travelling solo in Cuba as a woman
