Ecuador with Kids: Quito, Cotopaxi & the Amazon Rainforest

Thinking about visiting Ecuador with kids? In this episode, I'm sharing our family's experience traveling through mainland Ecuador, including Quito, Cotopaxi National Park, and the Amazon Rainforest. Ecuador has had a special place in my heart since I first visited while studying Spanish in college, so getting to return years later with my husband and four kids was incredibly special. One of the things I love most about Ecuador is how much variety you can experience in one relatively small country. You can explore a historic city high in the Andes, stand on the equator, ride horses beneath a volcano, and venture into the Amazon Rainforest, all in the same trip. In this episode, I'm sharing what we did, what our kids loved, where we stayed, and a few things I would definitely do differently next time. We talk about: • How we flew our family of six to Ecuador using points • What it was like flying Avianca with kids • Visiting the Intiñan Equator Museum • Exploring Quito with kids • Riding the TelefériQo high above Quito • Climbing the towers of the Basílica del Voto Nacional • Dealing with Quito's high altitude as a family • Our overnight adventure in Cotopaxi National Park • Staying at Tambopaxi Lodge and horseback riding in the Andes • The mistake we made arriving at Cotopaxi National Park too late • Hiring a private driver to get around Ecuador • Traveling from Quito to the Amazon Rainforest • Staying at El Jardín Lodge & Spa in Misahuallí • Canoeing, visiting a butterfly garden, trying a blowdart, and searching for monkeys in the rainforest • What surprised us about traveling Ecuador with four kids • Tips I would give another family planning a similar trip And yes, our trip also included the Galápagos Islands, but I'm saving that entire part of our adventure for next week's episode! If Ecuador has never been on your family travel radar, I hope this episode gives you a little inspiration. It was easily one of the most memorable family trips we've ever taken. Resources Mentioned: Portugal Women's Group Trip Read my full Ecuador + Galápagos family itinerary Read my Ecuador Packing List Coming next week: I'm sharing everything you need to know about visiting the Galápagos Islands with kids, including how we planned a land-based trip, where we stayed, what we did, and whether I think the Galápagos is actually worth the cost for families. FIND ME AT: Blog: http://www.emilymkrause.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amomexplores/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amomexplores EMAIL ME AT: [email protected]