Hotels in Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands

From the beautifully preserved colonial plazas of Quito to the mist-shrouded cloud forests of the Andes and the pristine volcanic shores of the Galapagos, Ecuador boasts some of the most unique, characterful accommodations in South America. At Earth Trip, we deliberately avoid soulless, international chain hotels. Instead, we have handpicked an exceptional collection of boutique properties, historic family-run haciendas, and pioneering eco-lodges that celebrate local heritage, champion community conservation, and offer an authentic sense of place.

Our Handpicked Collection: Featured Properties

The Earth Trip Standard: Conscious Luxury & Flawless Logistics

• Private Chauffeur-Specialists: We manage all of your mainland ground transportation seamlessly using private, expert drivers. This entirely removes the logistical stress of navigating winding Andean passes or locating remote heritage estates.

• Boutique Character Over Chains: We selectively partner with independent, intimate properties that feature architectural or historical value, ensuring your accommodations are an inspiring highlight of your holiday.

• Conscious Tourism: Every property in our collection is carefully chosen for its verified commitment to low-impact environmental practices or direct community-led development funding, protecting Ecuador’s fragile biodiversity for the future.

Here is a curated selection of exceptional, characterful accommodations across mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, organized by their specific region and proximity to iconic natural and cultural landmarks.

Quito & The Andean Highlands

Casa Gangotena (Quito Old Town)

• The Area: Located in the heart of Quito’s beautifully preserved colonial Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• Nearby Attraction: It sits directly on the historic Plaza San Francisco, offering panoramic views of the square’s iconic church and towers from its rooftop terrace.

Hotel Plaza Grande (Quito Old Town)

• The Area: Positioned in the central historic district of the capital.

• Nearby Attraction: It overlooks Independence Square (Plaza Grande), placing you steps away from the Carondelet Palace (the Presidential Palace) and the stunning Quito Cathedral.

Hacienda San Agustin de Callo (Cotopaxi Region)

• The Area: Nestled in the fertile Andean trench known as the “Avenue of the Volcanoes.”

• Nearby Attraction: Built directly on the remains of a 15th-century Inca palace, this historic estate lies right on the border of Cotopaxi National Park, offering direct, dramatic views of the snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano cone.

Hacienda Zuleta (Northern Highlands)

• The Area: Located in a peaceful valley in the northern Ecuadorian Andes, near Ibarra.

• Nearby Attraction: The estate serves as a premier base for exploring the Imbabura volcano region and houses its own renowned Andean Condor rehabilitation project, allowing guests to view these majestic birds up close.

The Cloud Forest & The Amazon Basin

Mashpi Lodge (Chocó Cloud Forest)

• The Area: Tucked away in the lush, misty mountains northwest of Quito.

• Nearby Attraction: It is located within its own 2,500-acre private biodiversity reserve inside the greater Chocó Rainforest, famous for endemic bird species, orchids, and a dramatic aerial sky bike canopy ride.

Napo Wildlife Center (Amazon Rainforest)

• The Area: Deep within the primary, untouched jungle of the eastern Amazon basin.

• Nearby Attraction: Situated on the banks of a glassy blackwater lagoon inside the globally renowned Yasuní National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on earth.

The Galapagos Islands

Pikaia Lodge (Santa Cruz Island)

• The Area: Located in the secluded, rural highlands of Santa Cruz Island.

• Nearby Attraction: Perched on a volcanic crater ridge, it sits directly along the natural migration path of wild Giant Tortoises and is a short distance from the stunning volcanic fissures of Los Gemelos (The Twin Craters).

Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel (Santa Cruz Island)

• The Area: A secluded beachfront enclave just across the bay from the main hub of Puerto Ayora.

• Nearby Attraction: It provides immediate pedestrian access to Playa de los Alemanes and sits right next to the dramatic mangrove paths leading down to the sheer rock volcanic crevice of Las Grietas.

Scalesia Galapagos Lodge (Isabela Island)

• The Area: Perched in the lush, misty highland forests of the largest island in the archipelago.

• Nearby Attraction: This safari-style tented camp offers an ideal basecamp for trekking up to the massive caldera of the active Sierra Negra Volcano, which boasts the second-largest volcanic crater in the world.

Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel (Isabela Island)

• The Area: A minimalist, oceanfront property located on the southern coast of Isabela.

• Nearby Attraction: It sits adjacent to the island’s pristine white-sand beaches and a network of natural wetland lagoons where marine iguanas regularly cross paths with guests, and is minutes from the Concha de Perla snorkelling site.