When travelers visit Ecuador for the first time, they often focus on the destinations they’ve seen in guidebooks: Quito’s historic center, Cotopaxi National Park, Baños, or the Galapagos Islands.
And do not take me wrong: if you were about to visit Ecuador and only had a few days available for your trip, I would certainly suggest those places first over other ones.
However, if you are planning on an extended trip, there are some places definitely worth including within your itinerary, to more deeply understand the local dynamics.
Where do locals go when they have a free weekend?
As an Ecuadorian, I can tell you that weekends here are often about simple pleasures: escaping the city, reuniting with the family, sharing a meal or a moment with our loved ones, enjoying nature, hiking, taking the sun at a nearby beach, and discovering places that are not always spotted due to their size and location.
If you’re looking to experience Ecuador beyond the typical tourist trail, these are some of the places locals love returning to again and again.
1. Mindo: A Cloud Forest Escape Close to Quito
Mindo is one of the most popular weekend getaways for Quiteños (people from the capital city, Quito). We often go there when we want a break from the city, or just sharing a moment with family a friends.
Just a couple of hours from the capital, this small cloud forest town feels like another world.
Weekends here are spent:
- Watching hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Visiting waterfalls.
- Exploring forest trails.
- Enjoying locally produced chocolate.
- Practicing extreme activities like canopying.
- Having a few drinks at night at a local bar.
The pace is relaxed and slow-paced, the air feels fresh, and nature is always close.
2. Ruta Escondida: The Countryside Many Visitors Never See
1 hour north of Quito, lies a collection of 5 small villages known as the Ruta Escondida (the Hidden Route): Puellaro, Perucho, Chavezpamba, Atahualpa, and San Jose de Minas.
Unlike Ecuador’s more famous destinations, this area remains largely local.
On weekends, families come here to enjoy:
- Traditional food.
- Quiet mountain landscapes.
- Local festivals.
- Scenic countryside roads.
The views are beautiful, but what makes this area special is its authenticity.
3. Playas: The Coastal Favorite Near Guayaquil
When residents of Guayaquil want a quick beach getaway, many head straight to Playas.
The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious.
You’ll see families walking along the shore, friends gathering for seafood lunches, and children playing in the waves.
A typical local weekend includes:
- Fresh ceviche.
- Grilled seafood.
- Sunset walks.
- Long conversations by the ocean.
Nothing complicated.
Just a classic Ecuadorian beach day.
4. Papallacta: The Hot-Springs paradise
After a busy week, many Quiteños packed our bags and head to Papallacta to disconnect, just 1 hour away from the city.
Nestled in the Andes, this area is famous for its natural hot springs and mountain scenery, where families, couples, and groups of friends enjoy this natural and quiet place.
Papallacta is home to plenty of business which include within their facilities the use of natural-hot-spring pools, lodges, restaurants, boat rides, sport fishing, among others. And the best part is that there is a place for every type of budget, ranging from low-cost alternatives to high-end ones.
Imagine soaking in warm mineral-rich waters while surrounded by mist-covered peaks. It’s easy to understand why this has become a favorite weekend destination.
5. Yunguilla: A Community Tourism Success Story
Not far from Quito, Yunguilla offers a different type of weekend experience.
This community has become known for sustainable tourism and rural experiences that allow visitors to connect with local traditions.
People come here to:
- Learn about community projects.
- Explore nature guided trails through the cloud-forest.
- Enjoy homemade food.
- Experience rural Ecuadorian life.
It’s a reminder that travel doesn’t always need to be fast-paced.
6. Puerto Lopez: Slow Coastal Weekends
If you are about to spend a few days in Manta, I recommend you to spend a couple of days in Puerto Lopez, a Coastal city with one of the most beloved beaches of Ecuador, part of the celebrated Spondylus Route.
Puerto Lopez, along with Santa Marianita, is often chosen by Mantenses (people from Manta) as a weekend getaway.
Weekends here are about:
- Fresh seafood.
- Boat trips to nearby islets and species sighting (blue-footed boobies, humpback whales, various shark species).
- Ocean views.
- Watching fishing boats return to shore.
If you’re looking for a place that feels genuinely connected to the sea, this coastal town delivers.
It’s less about nightlife and more about enjoying the rhythm of the coast.
What These Places Reveal About Ecuador
Looking at where Ecuadorians spend our weekends tells you something important about the country.
People often value:
- Family and shared moments.
- Nature.
- Traditional food.
- Relaxation.
- Time spent outdoors.
The goal isn’t always to visit the most famous place.
Often, it’s simply to enjoy a beautiful place with the people who matter most.
Final Thoughts
If you want to add a little bit of local taste to your Ecuadorian experience, pay attention to these getaways and other places where locals choose to spend their free time.
Visit the cloud forests we escape to, try the restaurants we drive hours to reach, watch the sunset from the beaches we return to every weekend.
Because while famous attractions tell part of Ecuador’s story, local weekends reveal something even more valuable:
How We Ecuadorians actually live, relax, and enjoy our country.
If you would like further tips for your next Ecuadorian adventure, do not hesitate in writing us! We’ll be more than happy to help.
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