Thanks to my mom’s closest friend and my Tía, Ecuador’s been on my list of places to visit for years.
Growing up, I heard many amazing things about Ecuador, from the food to the attractions. So, when the opportunity presented itself to visit a friend alongside another friend, I took it! In fact, it took less than a month to plan everything—thanks to my friend we were visiting in Ecuador.
Here’s a rundown of where to eat, play, and stay in Quito, Baños, and Cotopaxi based on my trip.
Where to Stay
Samari Spa Resort
Sitting on four acres of lush, beautifully groomed land, Samari is less than 3 minutes away from Banos’ town center.
Food
During your stay, you can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning, which is absolutely worth it. You MUST try their traditional Ecuadorian breakfast, which includes mote pillo, bolón, and empanada de viento. It also comes with bread, coffee, tea, eggs, bacon, and more—truly a filling meal.
But don’t sleep on their lunch or dinner either, because their ceviche and locro de los andes are incredible! I’m still thinking about everything I ate and drank here, including their canelazo, which they serve in the evening.
Amenities
Samari offers a spa that includes an indoor pool, sauna, and hot tubs. In the rooms, you get a robe and comfortable slippers. If you explore the four acres of land, which I recommend, you’ll find many things, like a small park for kids.
Chilcabamba Lodge
Located in Cotopaxi National Park, Chilcabamba Lodge is nestled in the Andean highlands. You get views of Cotopaxi Volcano, the highest active volcano in the world, and the surrounding mountains. I love that they’re committed to being a sustainable eco-lodge.
Food
They have a fixed menu, so you don’t get many options for food, and the ingredients in their meals are sourced locally. However, I really enjoyed the dinner and breakfast I had during my stay. In the evening, you can enjoy canelazo and s’mores by the bonfire.
Amenitites
They have a living room area that’s open to all guests, fireplaces in the room, plus ponchos to keep you warm. I’ll note that they will run cold water at certain times of the day to reduce energy consumption.
Airbnb in Quito
My friend and I stayed in an Airbnb in the same apartment complex as my friend, who lives in Ecuador. The Airbnb host ensured the apartment was well-stocked with necessities like a jug of water, coffee, tea, sugar, and snacks. They even provided slippers, which I’ve never experienced in an Airbnb, and the apartment is in a great location.
Where to Eat
La Cafebreria Uio
A great breakfast and brunch spot that offers some delicious and beautifully plated dishes. The shop is very artsy, but also fairly small, so it’s best to arrive early to avoid the crowd.
Somos Ecuador Restaurante
Their motto is “Ecuadorian Born, Globally Inspired” and it’s apparent in their dishes, which are globally inspired with local ingredients. When you step into this restaurant, you get fine dining vibes from the ambiance and artwork. I tried their casera empanada, pan de yuca, dumplings de cuy, and wahoo salsero, which were all SO good. The wahoo salsero, in particular, was out of this world—it was light, sweet, and savory.
Hasta la Vuelta Señor
Located near Quito’s Historic Center, this restaurant serves typical Ecuadorian food. This is where I got to try the traditional chicken, rice, and plantain dish, seco de pollo. It was amazing, and I loved the courthouse ambiance.
Cimarron Parrilla Argentina
A steakhouse serving traditional Argentine cuisine located in the Baños city center. We tried their sangria and individual steak dishes, which were all so good.
Where to Play
TelefériQo Quito
The Quito Cable Car takes you to a higher elevation in Quito to see the view of the city. It’s a quick trip to the top, and you don’t need to spend a lot of time here either.
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo
Translating to the Middle of the World, this landmark sits at 0° latitude and features restaurants, shops, a museum, etc.
Luna Volcán
A hotel with a garden, restaurant, and spa, which includes 4 pools and jacuzzi overlooking Baños. You can stay here overnight or purchase one of their day passes. Their day passes provide access to their pools/jacuzzi, a meal at their restaurant, and a spa treatment.
The service here was amazing, and when I visited, I had the entire spa and pools/jacuzzi to myself.
Cascada El Pailón
A waterfall park located in the Ecuadorian cloud forest featuring multiple hanging bridges. When planning, my friend made a note to arrive early, as it can get crowded.
Horseback Riding @ Cotopaxi National Park
There are numerous activities available at Cotopaxi National Park, and our hotel, Chilcabamba Lodge, provides a variety of tour options. This includes horseback riding, which was my first time doing, and it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
