Ecotourism has grown extremely popular in Ecuador recent years. To take advantage of this boom, many tour agencies and hotels have slapped the prefix "eco" in front of their names in an effort to attract clients. To know if you are really getting the ecological experience that you've been promised, check out EcuadorExplorer.com's definition of "eco".


Hotel La Vista, Canoa Beach Hotel - Hotel La Vista offers a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere to travelers and tourists alike. Our goal is to give our clients a nice and quiet place to relax and enjoy the beach view, while staying in good comfortable rooms, enjoying good service, all at an affordable price.

Mindo Garden, Cloudforest Lodge - In the midst of a mega-diverse ecosystem, Mindo Garden has created a home base from which you can enjoy the nearby forest. This hotel in Mindo offers cabins with double, triple and quadruple-occupancy rooms, constructed with the best varieties of wood and decorated in a unique and personal style. Everything is specially arranged so that you can appreciate the harmony of the nature that surrounds you, and above all enjoy a level of comfort that will permit you to wake up refreshed and revitalized.

Black Sheep Inn - A unique eco-lodge perched on a hillside high in the Ecuadorian Andes. Much of the ten acres surrounding the Inn have been designed using permaculture philosophy. Organic gardens, terraced reforestation to combat erosion using native tree species, recycling and composting toilets are all part of the inn's effort to exist in harmony with nature. The Black Sheep Inn provides quality accommodations while promoting low impact tourism.

Cotococha Amazon Lodge - Our unique lodge is located in the upper Amazon basin overlooking the majestic  Napo River. The lodge offers 17 spacious bungalows, built according to traditional architecture in harmony with the surrounding rainforest. All bungalows are equipped with a private bathroom, a private veranda with reclining chairs or hammocks to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the jungle. Daily excursions are organised, a perfect blend between soft-adventure, nature & cultural interaction makes your journey divers and educational. Imagine to drift down the river on tubes, or pan for gold on the river shores with an indigenous family, get informed about all different life cycles of a butterfly and make great hikes through virgin forest! Welcome to Cotococha Amazon Lodge, you're best choice to visit the upper amazon basin!

El Monte - This hotel offers charming riverside cabins in the cloud forest surrounding Mindo. El Monte, owned by an Ecuadorian-American couple, provides an array of activities including horseback riding, hiking, swimming in natural pools, birding, and whitewater tubing down the Mindo river. At the end of the day, savor home-cooking by candlelight and listen to the night-sounds of the forest. El Monte has just opened up the Mindo Biological Station for researchers, students groups, and ecologically focused tourists looking to truly explore and discover the natural treasures of the cloud forest.

Casa del Suizo – With its panoramic view of the Napo River, Casa del Suizo is an excellent choice for a first or hundredth trip to the rainforest. First class accommodations, with many of the conveniences of home, and excellent food in the tranquility of the rainforest make Casa del Suizo un unforgettable getaway.

Guacamayo Tours and Rio Muchacho - Certified Ecotourism, based out of beautiful and sunny Bahía de Caraquez, Guayamaco uses tourism to fund a variety of socio-ecological projects: an organic farm, a recycling plant, the world's first organic shrimp farm, and much more. Dedicated to ethical, environmentally responsible tourism, Guayamaco offers a variety of tours, specializing in birdwatching, horseback riding, whale-watching, and agro-ecological tours of all kinds.

Huasquila Amazon Lodge – Located in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Rainforest, only 4 hours from Quito, Huasquila offers six luxury cabins built in local Kichwa style. Each cabin features a private bathroom, hot water, wide interior spaces and a balcony with superb views of the Amazon. Enjoy delicious meals, bar service, exciting jungle tours, caving expeditions, excursions to petroglyphs, animal rescue center, horse trekking, kayaking and rafting with indigenous Kichwa guides. Outstanding  service and activities with a friendly, family atmosphere.

Owl moth.

Casa Mojanda – A dramatic mountainside inn, organic farm and retreat located above the town of Otavalo in the foothills of Mojanda, featuring spacious rammed earth cottages with magnificent mountain vistas. Enjoy the world famous Otavalo crafts market, horse tours, hiking, biking, birding and kayaking the Mojanda Lakes, as well as a large international reading and video library, traditional hot tub, delicious primarily vegetarian meals, children's activities, and excellent ethno-cultural tours. Casa Mojanda seeks to cause minimal impact on the natural environment while actively supporting local culture, projects in rural public health, education, conservation of the Mojanda Lakes paramo, and watershed.

Playa Escondida - The river Malpelo winds down from the foot hills of the Andes mountains to a breathtaking bay called Playa Escondida ("hidden beach"). The area, now part of the 100 hectare Playa Escondida Ecological Refuge, has retained its beauty despite the years because, as its name points out, it is off the beaten path. Swim in warm tidal pools full of marine life, explore the caves and tunnels of the dramatic coastal rock formations carved by wind and waves, or just relax in a hammock and listen to the sound of the surf.

Achupalla plant.

Sacha Lodge – Primary Amazon rainforest, a bird-watching tower, a butterfly nursery, an extensive network of well-maintained trails, and outstanding accommodations make Sacha Lodge one of the world´s premier eco-lodges.

Botanical Reserve & Eco-Lodge San Jorge - Quito's only private reserve, 17 minutes from airport. 18th century Spanish eco-Lodge offers serenity, personalized service, delicious food, swimming pool, jacuzzi, lovely gardens and exotic birds. San Jorge spans four private nature reserves and three eco-lodges in the highlands, cloud forest, and subtropical rainforest. San Jorge's Tandayapa Cloud Forest Eco-Lodge will open December 2008. San Jorge's Milpe Eco-Lodge, features pristine trails, waterfalls, panoramic views, 300 varieties of orchids, 450 species of birds. Eco-tours include horseback riding, birdwatching, hiking/nature expeditions, mountain biking; education on ecology, botany, ornithology, and awareness of the surrounding environment.

Sani Lodge – Perched on an oxbow lake, deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon between Cuyabeno Reserve and Yasuní National Park, Sani Lodge delivers unforgettable ecological getaways amidst virgin Amazon rainforest. An exciting blend of modern comfort and rustic simplicity, the lodge is an ideal place to relax and explore the surrounding jungle on foot and in dugout canoe. Stop to fish for piranha, delight in the songs of Amazonian birds, search for caiman under the light of the moon, or just soak up the magical energy of the biological heart of the planet.

Cabañas San Isidro – In the lush, subtropical zone of the eastern Andes, Cabañas San Isidro has gained a reputation as one of the finest cloud forest lodges in Ecuador. It boasts 1,300 hectares of reserve (with well-maintained trails) connected to two national parks; over 300 species of birds; recent sightings of large mammals such as spectacled bear, puma, Jaguarundi and giant anteater, exquisite fusion cuisine, and outstanding accommodations. San Isidro is also a forerunner in conservation with many new land-purchases. San Isidro’s travel agency, BirdEcuador, can help you design a birding or general interest tour perfectly tailored to your interests.

Termas de Papallacta - The most developed hot springs complex in Ecuador is Termas de Papallacta, a full service spa, hotel and restaurant and is located about an hour and a half from Quito. One of Ecuador’s most popular visitor destinations, Termas de Papallacta is frequented by locals and tourists alike. The water that flows out of the mountain has been heated naturally and is piped into several picturesque pools as well as into the hotel rooms and cabins. At Termas de Papallacta you can choose from a variety of massages, water treatments and more.

Tinalandia - A family hacienda and nature reserve that remains true to the concept of eco-tourism, which it helped establish. As one of Latin America's first eco-tourism destinations, Tinalandia is responsible for the trend that may save Ecuador's natural world. Known as one of the world´s top birdwatching locations, Tinalandia maintains a rainforest reserve located on the western slope of the Ecuadorian Andes. Tinalandia offers comfortable lodging, excellent food, and a myriad of outdoor activities.

Cabanas Tres Rios – Nine wonderful cabins situated on the banks of the Rio Quijos midway between Papallacta hot springs and Cascada San Rafael, famous for fantastic Ecuadorian, vegetarian and international meals. Hiking, bird watching, rafting, horseback riding and week-long Spanish classes are all popular, but guests say it’s an even better place to just relax and enjoy a quiet vacation. Perfect for school groups, family reunions or small conferences. “CTR is the nicest place I have ever visited.” Bill Meyers.