National Parks In Ecuador: National Treasures Up Close
National Parks In Ecuador
Ecuador is a beautiful country with an extensive network of protected areas that safeguard approximately a quarter of the territory. There also just so happens to be a wealth of ecological diversity here, whether that’s in the Andres Mountains, Amazon rainforest, coastal regions, or the Galapagos Islands.
A map of Ecuador’s 11 national parks reveals a number of rich, scenic areas. If you’re an adventurer, wildlife enthusiast, conservation advocate, or you just have a desire to venture out into areas yet unseen to you, Ecuador is a special place with a lot to offer.
Even more important, if you’re trying to decide which to start with, each Ecuador park has its own unique identity.
1. Yasuni National Park: One Of The Most Bio-Diverse Places On Earth
Yasuni isn’t just one of the most biodiverse spots in Ecuador. It’s one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Full stop. It is located in the Amazon Basin and supports more than 600 bird species, 170 mammals, and a mind-boggling collection of amphibians and insects. It is warm and wet year-round with the Curaway and Napo rivers that flow through the park. For jungle tours and ecological research, Yasuni is renowned across Ecuador. In Yasuni, you have uncontacted indigenous tribes, such as the Tagaeri and Taromenane, and visitors are encouraged to respect their boundaries.
2. Galapagos National Park: Flora And Fauna Of The Galapagos Islands
Galapagos National Park encompasses 97% of the land area of the Galapagos Islands. Here you’ll uncover giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, and Darwin’s finches. Guided tours are mandatory on Galapagos as there are strict conservation rules in place to protect the fragile ecosystem from the impact of human beings. Most of the travel here is done by licensed boats, allowing visitors to explore lava tunnels, volcanic craters, and some of Ecuador’s most pristine beaches. The snorkeling and diving in Galapagos is an experience that’s hard to beat.
3. Cotopaxi National Park: Featuring The Cotopaxi Volcano
Cotopaxi Park is best known for being the home of its namesake volcano, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes at 5,897 metres. The high-altitude landscapes at Cotopaxi are excellent for hiking, mountain biking, and mountaineering. And here’s the wild part – it’s not technically a tough hike, but don’t let that altitude fool you. One minute you’re walking, the next you’re dramatically questioning your lung capacity. Don’t be surprised if you come across some wildlife out amongst the trails, including wild horses, Andean foxes, and condors. Its accessibility makes Cotopaxi one of Ecuador’s most visited parks.
4. Llanganates National Park: Rich Biodiversity And Hidden Treasures
Come to Llanganates National Park for hiking, camping, horse riding, mountain climbing, and more. Llanganates is known for the legend of Atahualpha’s hidden treasure and is one of Ecuador’s most enigmatic parks. Across the terrain, a traveler will come across swamps, cloud forests, and mountainous jungles. It is a hard park to navigate, requiring a guide and multiple days to make your way through. Treasure hunters and biologists are both attracted to the area for its unique and nearly untouched land.
5. Yacuri National Park: Scenic Lakes And Highland Forests
Yacuri is one of Ecuador’s newest parks. It’s known for its crystalline lagoons, Andean wetlands, and archaeological sites. Yacuri plays a key role in local water systems and connects with the Podocarpus. The hiking trails here at Yacuri lead to lagoons like the Laguna Negra and Laguna Yacuri. For indigenous communities, these hold much spiritual significance. The wildlife you will find at Yacuri includes the Andean foxes, pumas, and amphibians. This park is highly undeveloped, guaranteeing fewer crowds.
6. Sangay National Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Sangay National Park is UNESCO-designated as a world heritage site, with active volcanoes and several diverse ecosystems. Sangay is home to more than 3,000 plant species, tapirs, jaguars, and rare bird sightings are the usual. While this is not the easiest park to access, the wilderness here is extraordinary. If you’re the type of traveler who enjoys venturing off the beaten path and trekking into the unknown, Sangay is exactly the kind of journey you’ll want to take.
7. El Cajas National Park: Glacial Lakes And Highland Landscapes
El Cajas National Park offers a rugged ecosystem and over 270 glacial lakes. El Cajas sits at elevations between 3,000 and 4,450 metres above sea level. For visitors, this means stunning sights, such as hiking through romantic cloud forests, exploring ancient Polylepsis grounds, and seeing the fish in clear, pristine waters. Just be sure to pack the proper gear to keep you warm as the weather is cold and unpredictable. You’ll also find several endemic and endangered animals, such as the metaltail hummingbird, giant hummingbird, llamas, bears, and more.
8. Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park: Andean And Amazonian Habitats
The Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park is in the Andean foothills and extends into the Amazon Basin. Centered around the Sumaco Volcano, the park hosts more than 280 bird species, numerous orchid varieties, and mammals. The ecological diversity at Sumaco has everything to do with the area’s elevation, ranging in spots from 600 to 3,700 metres. Access to Sumaco Napo-Galeras is limited, requiring multi-day hikes or arrangements with a local research station.
9. Machalilla National Park: Ecuador’s Coastal National Park
Machalilla National Park is Ecuador’s only protected coastal national park, featuring exquisite beaches and archaeological sites dating to ancient pre-Columbian cultures. There is a lot to explore at Machalilla, including dry forests, fog forests, some smaller islands, and Isla de la Plata, an area rumored to conceal a large horde of buried silver from explorer Sir Francis Drake. Whales, dolphins, and sea turtles surround the park. Many tourists who come here enjoy snorkeling, diving, and hiking along the coast.
10. Cayambe-Coca National Park: High-Altitude Ecosystems And Cloud Forests
Cayambe-Coca National Park runs along the eastern slopes of the Andes. The park includes cloud forests, paramo, and volcanic peaks, supporting jaguars, spectacled bears, and condors. Adventurous travelers and ecotourists love Cayambe-Coca for its hot springs, waterfalls, and rugged trails. It’s a vital water source, feeding several rivers that flow into the Amazon and coastal basins. In this park, the weather is almost always wet and foggy. Appropriate clothing is essential.
11. Podocarpus National Park: Diverse Plant Species And Birdlife
Featuring over 4,000 plant species and 600 bird species, Ecuador’s Podocarpus National Park is named after the podocarpus tree. From rainforests to montane cloud forests, this park is a botanical paradise for those interested in birds. All of its rivers feed into the Amazon Basin, with hiking trails built around them varying in difficulty. As with other Ecuador national parks, guided tours are available and recommended for anyone who wants to learn more.
Why Ecuador’s National Parks Are Must-Visit
Ecuador sits at a perfect intersection of several ecological zones which makes it one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet. We’re talking thousands of endemic plants, over 1,600 bird species, and entire landscapes that double as global conservation corridors. It’s like nature decided to throw everything into one country just to show off. Unsurprisingly, many conservationists come to Ecuador to study these parks so that such efforts can be replicated in other countries around the world.
Not to mention, the national parks in Ecuador are just beautiful and they are all exceptionally maintained. Each has its own regulations and entry requirements. Many of the parks mentioned also feature research stations, visitor centers, and are equipped with a level of ecotourism infrastructure that brings in a lot of people from all over the world interested in connecting with something real in the environment.
If you find yourself considering travelling to South America, spending some time in Ecuador is well recommended.