Visit Quito, the capital of Ecuador, located high in the Andes at 2,850 meters. Explore the historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial architecture like the Compañía de Jesús church and San Francisco Monastery), ride the TelefériQo cable car for panoramic views of the city and surrounding volcanoes, and sample local dishes such as locro de papa (potato soup) or empanadas de viento (fried pastries).
Visit Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city and main port. Stroll along the Malecón 2000 (a 2.5 km riverfront boardwalk with gardens, monuments, and museums), explore the historic neighborhood of Las Peñas (colorful 19th-century houses and art galleries on a hillside), see the iconic Hemiciclo de la Rotonda monument (commemorating the meeting of Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín), and visit Parque Histórico (a park showcasing Ecuador's coastal ecosystems, wildlife, and historical architecture).
Visit Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage city in Ecuador's Andes. Explore the historic center with its blue-domed Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción (New Cathedral) and the hanging houses of El Barranco overlooking the Tomebamba River. See the Panama Hat Museum (Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla) to learn about the city's iconic hat-making tradition, and browse the Mercado 10 de Agosto for local produce and traditional foods.
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