Ecuador received 1.4 million visitors in 2025. In comparison to the nearly 100 million people who visit Spain each year, this is only a small fraction.
Those who venture there find more than they ever expected. A magic that is hard to describe but easy to feel.
Mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see, topped by year-round glaciers; rainforests that teem with vegetation and protect some of the highest biodiversity in the Amazon basin; islands that inspired Charles Darwin and are home to endemic species so friendly you’ll have to step back not to touch; and indigenous culture that is very much alive and thriving.
In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, we sit down with Ana Santa Cruz, our Ecuador tour host, certified national guide, and wildlife photographer, to talk about what it’s like to travel through the country.
In a single trip, you can go from high-altitude cities in the Andes to the Amazon rainforest, with completely different landscapes, cultures, food, and climates along the way. And it all changes fast.
Ana shares what that really feels like on the ground, not just the facts, but the experience, what surprises people most, and what they often get wrong before they arrive.
We talk about the Amazon, what it is and what it’s not, the role of local guides and indigenous communities, and how to approach travel in a way that feels respectful without overthinking it.
You’ll also hear about the wildlife, the food, and the small details most people miss.
We know this episode will make you want to visit Ecuador for yourself, and we have the perfect tour to do so.
Our Ecuador and Galapagos tour takes you to the heart of indigenous culture, the Amazon rainforest, and the Galapagos Islands on a women-only expedition with luxury accommodations and thoughtful, behind-the-scenes experiences. Along the way, we support women-owned businesses, from where you stay to where you eat, experiencing Ecuador through the female gaze.
www.solofemaletravelers.club
