City Tours in Ecuador: The 7 We Recommend

1.PRIVATE CITY TOUR: Quito Colonial, Half the World and Cable Car

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

This 6 to 7 hour private tour combines Quito’s colonial center, the TelefériQo cable car, Mitad del Mundo, and Intiñan Museum. You get private air-conditioned transport, a guide, water, and accident insurance. Guides such as Jessica, Jonathan, Luis, and Juan are praised for adapting the pace and adding local food, markets, and photo stops.

“Ruben was an excellent guide and host for our special first visit. Exploring the sites we hoped to see and adding in information and experiences that we totally enjoyed! A great day!!”

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2.Full Day City tour of Quito -All main attractions WITH ADMISSIONS

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $130

Spend about eight hours exploring Quito with a guide such as Jorge or Jose. Visit the Basilica towers, San Francisco Church, Plaza Grande, Intiñan Equator Museum, TeleferiQo, El Sagrario, and Yumbos Chocolate. Private transport, parking, and admission fees are included. Lunch is not.

“To take this tour , had a great and wonderful day , thanks Jose tour guide excellent , no rushing lots of information , helpful tips just awesome Best regards Steffi”

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3.Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $34Best value

Spend about four hours seeing Cuenca with a local bilingual guide, often including guides such as Wilson, Cristian, Sebastian, or Genero. Visit markets, churches, the Modern Art Museum, Homero Ortega’s Panama hat museum, Barranco, and Turi viewpoint. Hotel pickup, transport, and a private itinerary are included.

“This half day tour with Enrique was the best part about our trip to Cuenca. We learned so much about the city center and Panama Hat factory. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for more information on the history and details of the best parts of Cuenca's city center!”

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4.Full Day Quito (City Tour + Middle of the World + Teleferico)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $90

Travel by private vehicle with guides such as David, Juan, Leo, or Daniel through Quito’s Old Town, churches, viewpoints, chocolate tasting, Teleférico, and Intiñan Equator Museum. The 6 to 8 hour outing is ideal when you want broad coverage in one day, but bring extra cash for entry fees and lunch.

“This tour was a great way to see the best parts of Quito. The Unesco world heritage old city was very interesting. Then the cable car with its magnificent 360 city views and the middle of the earth tour was a lot of fun. David our guide recommended a wonderful local restaurant with great food for lunch. He was an amazing guide and very knowledgeable about his city.”

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5.Best of Guayaquil – City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $120

Explore Guayaquil by private vehicle and on foot with a local guide such as Javeth, Tony, or Milton. See Parque Seminario’s famous iguanas, Malecon 2000, the Rotonda, historic streets, and a coffee museum tasting. Hotel or airport pickup and return are included, with time to adjust the route to your interests.

“We had a great early Sunday tour with Tony. Our time was limited as we had a flight later in the day. With driver Richard and Tony as our guide, we saw all the historic and scenic sights in Guayaquil. Tony is very personable and also interested in getting the best photo angles for his clients. We had a great time!”

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6.Cable Car and Quito Private City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $80

This 5 to 6 hour private Quito tour combines the TeleferiQo cable car, 4,100-meter Cruz Loma views, UNESCO-listed Old Town, La Compañía church, San Francisco, La Ronda, and El Panecillo. Your English-speaking guide handles transport and can adjust the pace, route, lunch stop, and optional chocolate tasting to suit your group.

“It is very high and maybe chilly up there. Be prepared if you have Problems with Altitude. Have a lovely coca tea, listen to Interessting history of the City from Fantastic Guide IBAN. The View is Stunning!”

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7.Cuenca Your Way Exclusive Private City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $44

Spend about seven hours exploring Cuenca with a private bilingual guide and driver, visiting San Sebastian, 10 de Agosto Market, Calderón Park, Pumapungo Museum, a Panama hat factory, and Turi viewpoint. Guides such as Wilson, Peter, Flavio, Sebastian, and Klever are praised for clear history, warm service, and flexible photo stops.

“We had a great time discovering Cuenca with our guide Flavio. He was very professional and knowledgeable about the history and culture of Cuenca. We do recommend this tour.”

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