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Reviews for Authentic Ecuador
4.8
144 Reviews
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Photo taken by Richard P
Photo taken by Richard P
Photo taken by Richard P
Photo taken by Richard P
Photo taken by Richard P
Photo taken by Richard P
Photo taken by Richard P
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Authentic Ecuador

We specialize in the Ecuadorian territory and the Galapagos Islands. The focus is on immersive experiences with a mix of classic attractions in an innovative way and off-the-beaten-track destinations and activities.

Our goal is to convert our travelers from passive consumers into active participants. Yes, you’ll also see the highlights of the country, but you will immerse into its nature, interact with its people, taste its flavors, and experience some adrenaline-loaded adventures if you wish to!

We would like you to capture the essence of Ecuador in all its facets, mixing main attractions with off-the-beaten-track experiences, which makes each trip unique and avoids over-tourism. Join us on an unforgettable trip and expect the unexpected!

Authentic Ecuador is part of the following groups: Ecuador Travel Agents, Galapagos Islands Travel Agents

Featured trips & expertise

Top itineraries and travel advice
Trekking Ecuador's Avenue of the Volcanoes - 8 Days
This eight-day trekking adventure delivers the highlights of the Ecuadorian Andes as you explore stunning landscapes, secluded villages, and the famous peaks along the Avenue of...
Ecuador Family Trip: Quito, the Amazon & Galapagos Islands - 11 Days
From the colorful wildlife of the Amazon rainforest to the underwater playground of the Galapagos, this family-friendly journey around Ecuador offers adventure and education for...
Epic Ecuador Multi-Sport Tour - 8 Days
This active tour of the Ecuadorian mainland is sure to get the adrenaline pumping. In just over a week you'll enjoy adventures on both land and water. Brave the rapids of the...

Recent Trip Reviews for Authentic Ecuador

Going to the Galápagos Islands was the trip o...
Galapagos Islands | Jan 12 - Jan 21, 2026

Heather
Heather E.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2026
Going to the Galápagos Islands was the trip of a lifetime! We would have been lost without our travel agent, Paul Cisneros from Kim Kim. Paul arranged excellent accommodations for us. He arranged for drivers to pick us up and take us to where we needed to go every step of the way. Paul arranged all of our tours and tour guides. We felt safe and reassured by his planning and expertise. Paul even helped to troubleshoot when we experienced translation problems and website glitches with the... Read more

Going to the Galápagos Islands was the trip of a lifetime! We would have been lost without our travel agent, Paul Cisneros from Kim Kim. Paul arranged excellent accommodations for us. He arranged for drivers to pick us up and take us to where we needed to go every step of the way. Paul arranged all of our tours and tour guides. We felt safe and reassured by his planning and expertise. Paul even helped to troubleshoot when we experienced translation problems and website glitches with the TCT cards. Everything ran so smoothly because of the planning and arrangements that Paul made.

As for the trip itself, we were in awe of the wildlife experiences that we had. Both land and sea adventures were unique, informative and amazing. Land animals that we saw in the Galápagos Islands included sea lions (not seals as we learned!), Galapagos and Saddleback tortoises (many sightings!), blue footed boobies, frigate birds, many other birds, Sally Lightfoot crabs, lava lizards, land iguanas (lots of them!). Marine animals included sea turtles (my personal favourite!), a sea horse, different kinds of rays (eagle rays, sting rays, maybe a marble ray), sharks, puffer fish, and so, so many colourful fish (like in Finding Nemo). On the mainland, our cultural tour of Quito felt like we were stepping back in time to an older world from days gone by. The Middle of the Earth tour was fun and interesting. We love our pictures from standing on the line of the equator.

We loved each and every hotel that we stayed at. The Ikala Quito Hotel had well appointed rooms and the staff were lovely. Hotel Fiesta in Puerto Ayora was spectacular! The pool area with bar was so nice to relax at and the gardens were gorgeous! We were travelling as an adult family and our room had a main room with a king size bed and a side room with two single beds. It was quite spacious. The Albemarle in Puerto Villamil was right on the beach and had a roof top terrace looking east, south and west. You could catch both the sunrise and the sunset. It even had a communal clothesline on the roof where you could dry your swimsuits (a small thing but something I really appreciated!). Lastly, we stayed at the Wyndham Airport Hotel in Quito on our last night. It is in the shape of a condor, which makes it an interesting piece of architecture. It is quite a posh hotel and the restaurant there is excellent. The shuttle service is under 5 minutes to the airport.

In summary, this was the trip of a lifetime for us and was everything we had hoped for. We are so grateful for the experience!

P.S. The following people were excellent as tour guides/coordinators (in no particular order): Robert, Ricardo, Michael, Alexis, Diego, Salome, Julio. There were others along the way who played a more minor role in our trip but each one was competent, friendly and helpful. In fact, my husband and I commented that Ecuadorians cultivate a culture of excellence not always seen in other parts of the world.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Fiesta
Puerto Ayora

We loved this hotel! We felt like we were staying in a tropical paradise. We booked a family room and had a spacious room with a king bed with a smaller room off to the side with two single beds. Outdoors, there are beautiful gardens, a lovely pool and hot tub area and even a bar attended by a staff member. The availability of cervases were much appreciated! They even had ping pong tables. Breakfast was delicious. Staff were friendly. Overall, we loved it!

Authenticity & Character
Location
The hotel is close to the main street.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ikala Quito Hotel
Quito

This was an excellent hotel to stay at. The rooms were unique and spacious. Breakfast was delicious and staff were excellent!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Paul Cisneros

SIMPLY THE BEST
Galapagos Islands | Jan 11 - Jan 21, 2026

T
Tomas B.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026
Thank you Paul, Milton and your entire staff for treating us to a very special and memorable time that will last the rest of our lives. Your effort had been truly the best ❣️ Read more

Thank you Paul, Milton and your entire staff for treating us to a very special and memorable time that will last the rest of our lives. Your effort had been truly the best ❣️

Hotel Reviews
Wyndham Quito Airport
Quito

We must go back to stay here, it has everything we enjoy especially the stream room with eucalyptus

Authenticity & Character
Top rated accommodations
Location
Very convenient access to the city and airport
Staff
So kind and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Specious and comfortable
Hotel Cally Galapagos
Puerto Villamil

Great place to stay and close to things to enjoy

Authenticity & Character
Spacious and open
Location
Perfect view and access to the ocean beach
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pristine
Hotel Fiesta
Puerto Ayora

So nice, beautiful and comfortable

Authenticity & Character
Felt like a resort in paradise
Location
another awesome place to stay
Staff
So very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super comfortable
Hacienda El Porvenir
Machachi

Perfect experience of true Ecuador

Authenticity & Character
They gave us their best support
Location
The best experience, top quality
Staff
Kind and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
We would love to go back for another stay
Ikala Quito Hotel
Quito

Loves our time here

Authenticity & Character
Super location
Location
Great accommodations
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
Activity Review
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito

Must do

Quality of Experience
Fun and interesting
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Best guide ever
Transport
Easy access
Local specialist: Paul Cisneros
Paul
Paul Cisneros
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jan 22, 2026

Hi Tom!

Thank you so much for your kind words, it truly means a lot to hear that you and Jayme had such an amazing time in our country and that it will leave you with everlasting memories.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to visit us again someday, there are still so many wonderful places left to explore that I’m sure you’ll love.

Sending hugs from Ecuador! 🤗
Paul

An amazing Ecuador trip!We had an amazing trip!.
Galapagos Islands | Jan 11 - Jan 21, 2026

J
Jayme B.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026
We had an amazing trip!! Milton made Quito even more special. Mindo was one of my favorite stops for the chocolate experience and seeing the toucans and feeding the humming birds. And going to Santa Cruz and Isabela was spectacular seeing all the wild life especially the blue footed boobies. The guides arrived on time and told us a lot of info. David got us to and from Baltra and was super. Julio took the time to show us around Isabela. Eva did a nice job showing us the tortoises in... Read more

We had an amazing trip!! Milton made Quito even more special. Mindo was one of my favorite stops for the chocolate experience and seeing the toucans and feeding the humming birds. And going to Santa Cruz and Isabela was spectacular seeing all the wild life especially the blue footed boobies. The guides arrived on time and told us a lot of info. David got us to and from Baltra and was super. Julio took the time to show us around Isabela. Eva did a nice job showing us the tortoises in their natural habitat. As mentioned it was an amazing trip. And Paul was always there for us!!

Hotel Review
Hacienda El Porvenir
Machachi

The hotel was so accommodating and welcoming. You felt right at home! They had a spa and the massage was wonderful. They had horseback riding which we didn't have time to do but looked like a lot fun. And the meals were 5 stars. Plus there was turn down service where they even put a few hot water bottles under the covers to keep you nice and warm. A peaceful place surrounded by nature.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Paul Cisneros
Paul
Paul Cisneros
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jan 22, 2026

Dear Jayme & Tom,

I’m so happy to hear that you had such an amazing trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos, and that you were able to experience the incredible wildlife both on the mainland and on the islands! Thank you so much for your kind words about your guides. I’ll be sure to pass them along to Milton, David, Julio, and Eva. 🤗

From the very beginning, it was truly a pleasure planning this journey with you, and I really hope we’ll have the opportunity to welcome you back to Ecuador in the future.

Wishing you all the best,
Paul, your friend in Ecuador

Read all Galapagos Islands reviews

Quito, Cotopaxi, the Amazon, and more
Ecuador | Dec 14 - Dec 21, 2025

Rob
Rob D.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2026

Janine was an excellent guide. We wanted to do a lot of Bike Riding within the coat epoxy national Park and she coordinated that extremely well. At a certain point we needed a pick up truck and she was able to arrange that on a moments notice. The places we visited were unique and individual and we were very satisfied with the help provided by Kimkim. Having a driver was especially important and we felt very safe and comfortable as we travel throughout the country.

Local specialist: Paul Cisneros
Paul
Paul Cisneros
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jan 14, 2026

Hi Rob!

Thank you so much for your kind words about our services, especially about Jeannin as your guide. I’ll be sure to pass them along to her. I’m very happy to hear that you, Kim, and Thomas enjoyed our country and had a great time in each place you visited.

I hope you’ll be able to visit us again in the future, and we’d be happy to help you plan another adventure.

Wishing you all the best,
Paul

Read all Ecuador reviews

10 stars for Paul Cisneros, our Galapagos Travel Adviser!
Galapagos Islands | Dec 21 - Dec 27, 2025

V
Vera C.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Dec 31, 2025

We would like to take the time in a week to write a fabulous review for the team we encountered, but in the meantime, 10 stars for Paul Cisneros, our Travel Advisor! He didn't leave any stone unturned. The beauty and fun of our experience was setup and managed every step of the way by Paul. Give us a week and we'll send you more information. Thank you!!

Local specialist: Paul Cisneros
Paul
Paul Cisneros
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Dec 31, 2025

Thank you so much, dear Vera, for your kind words! I truly look forward to reading your full review.

Wishing you a Happy New Year! 🤗
Paul

Read all Galapagos Islands reviews

What an absolute pleasure and peace of mind t...
Galapagos Islands | Dec 21 - Dec 27, 2025

Sonya
Sonya C.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Dec 29, 2025

What an absolute pleasure and peace of mind to work with Paul and the many members of our Galapagos crew to create one of the most memorable and visually stunning vacations our family has ever been on. From the beginning, Paul was so easy to work with, polite, immediately responsive, and was able to cater to some last-minute changes during the trip, which was so deeply appreciated. Our naturalist guides were friendly, fun and knowledgeable. We loved the excursions as well as the cute hotels that we stayed in. I could not recommend this group more highly!

Local specialist: Paul Cisneros
Paul
Paul Cisneros
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Dec 30, 2025

Dear Sonya,

Thank you so much for your kind words. I’ll be sure to share them with the team! I’m happy to hear that your trip to the Galapagos will remain one of your family’s most memorable experiences. It was a pleasure helping you enjoy the incredible wildlife and natural beauty of the Galapagos, and I hope you’ll be able to visit us again in the future. 🤗🐢

Wishing you and your family all the best!
Paul, your friend from Ecuador

Read all Galapagos Islands reviews

Mathias and the whole boat crew were exceptio...
Galapagos Islands | Jan 17 - Jan 27, 2025

Margie
Margie B.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Dec 07, 2025
Mathias and the whole boat crew were exceptional! Snorkeling was amazing and the hikes were unique, very educational. Read more

Mathias and the whole boat crew were exceptional! Snorkeling was amazing and the hikes were unique, very educational.

Hotel Review
M/Y Galapagos Angel
Galapagos

Nice size boat and excellent crew

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Dec 13, 2025

Hi Margie,

Thank you so much for your lovely review! I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the snorkeling and hikes - the Galápagos truly offers such a unique mix of adventure and learning. I’ll be sure to share your kind words with everyone who helped make your experience so special.

Wishing you many more wonderful journeys ahead - and a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season!

All the best,
Mathias & the Authentic Ecuador Team

Read all Galapagos Islands reviews

This was our second trip to the Galápagos, an...
Galapagos Islands | Nov 24 - Nov 29, 2025

R
Rasika R.
Kyle, TX | Reviewed on Dec 03, 2025
This was our second trip to the Galápagos, and Ariel made it absolutely amazing. The MC Treasure was perfect, and the crew was exceptional—warm, professional, and always a step ahead. They made us feel so well cared for, and every detail on board was flawless. Hector, our guide, was fantastic and brought every island to life with his knowledge and enthusiasm. Ariel’s planning, communication, and thoughtful touches made the whole experience smooth and unforgettable. We can’t wait to plan... Read more

This was our second trip to the Galápagos, and Ariel made it absolutely amazing. The MC Treasure was perfect, and the crew was exceptional—warm, professional, and always a step ahead. They made us feel so well cared for, and every detail on board was flawless. Hector, our guide, was fantastic and brought every island to life with his knowledge and enthusiasm.

Ariel’s planning, communication, and thoughtful touches made the whole experience smooth and unforgettable. We can’t wait to plan our next adventure with Kim Kim!

Hotel Reviews
Wyndham Quito Airport
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
M/C Treasure
San José de Conocoto Quito

Our time aboard the MC Treasure was outstanding from start to finish. The yacht is beautifully maintained, comfortable, and designed for an amazing Galápagos experience. The cabins were spotless and cozy, the common areas were spacious, and everything felt both welcoming and luxurious. But what truly sets the MC Treasure apart is the crew. Every team member was warm, attentive, and incredibly professional. They anticipated our needs before we even asked, made us feel completely at home, and added so many thoughtful touches throughout the trip. The food was fantastic, the service was flawless, and the atmosphere on board was relaxed and friendly. Combined with the remarkable Galápagos landscapes and our excellent guide, this yacht made the journey unforgettable. Highly recommend the MC Treasure for anyone seeking a first-class experience in the islands.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ariel Chasi
Ariel
Ariel Chasi
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Dec 03, 2025

Dear Rasika,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure helping you plan your second adventure in the Galápagos. I’m thrilled to hear that the MC Treasure, its beautifully maintained spaces, and its exceptional crew made your experience so special.

I’m especially glad to hear that the planning process went smoothly and that you enjoyed all the details along the way. It was my pleasure to help you :)

Wishing you all the best,
Ariel

Read all Galapagos Islands reviews

Amazing Galapagos Adventure!
Galapagos Islands | Nov 14 - Nov 24, 2025

Kathy
Kathy G.
Hawthorne, CA | Reviewed on Dec 02, 2025
The Galapagos was truly an amazing adventure! Paul planned and implemented a wonderful trip! All the travel and tours were handled very professionally and the accommodations were excellent. Alex and Robert made sure we were all on the bus, boat, or airplane, as planned. Our excellent guides Javier and Karem led us on adventures every day. Snorkeling with sea lions, manta rays, turtles, sharks and schools of fish was incredible! We've never been surrounded by such an abundance of sea... Read more

The Galapagos was truly an amazing adventure! Paul planned and implemented a wonderful trip! All the travel and tours were handled very professionally and the accommodations were excellent. Alex and Robert made sure we were all on the bus, boat, or airplane, as planned. Our excellent guides Javier and Karem led us on adventures every day. Snorkeling with sea lions, manta rays, turtles, sharks and schools of fish was incredible! We've never been surrounded by such an abundance of sea life. We also saw wildlife and different landscapes while exploring various islands. Daniela's tour with the giant land tortoises was another fascinating day! The Galapagos is truly a unique place that locals are working hard to preserve for all. We're thrilled we got a chance to visit!

Hotel Reviews
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora

We had a clean, modern room at the Acacia with a lovely central patio area for gathering. The staff was very friendly, honest and professional. They made sure we had a delicious breakfast with our coffee every day and provided tips on where to eat dinner. Highly recommend this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walking distance to the Darwin Center and downtown.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Patio Andaluz
Quito

Patio Andaluz in Quito was a wonderful place to start our trip. It's located in the old historic part of the city, which was quite charming and added to the experience.

M/Y Monserrat
Quito

Our time on the M/Y Monserrat was enjoyable. The guides and staff were wonderful, and the dinner on the last night was delightful. However, the overnight journey was rough due to choppy seas, which made it uncomfortable and resulted in a sleepless night. It seems to be a known issue that it gets rough on the last night, and a little heads-up would have been appreciated.

Activity Review
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

The excursion to the uninhabited island was quite an experience, although it involved much more travel than anticipated. After spending several days on the M/Y Monserrat, this day was mostly in transit with a long bus and boat journey. It was a bit tiring, with limited time on the actual island, and we would've preferred to explore more locally around Puerto Ayora.

Local specialist: Paul Cisneros
Paul
Paul Cisneros
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Dec 11, 2025

Hi dear Kathy,

I'm so happy to hear that you had an amazing adventure on your trip to the Galapagos and that you got to see many of the species that live there! 🐢 Thank you for your kind words about our work and the guides who accompanied you.
I wish you and Don all the best!

Greetings from Quito,
Paul

Read all Galapagos Islands reviews

Galapagos Adventure
Galapagos Islands | Nov 14 - Nov 24, 2025

K
Kathie S.
Hawthorne, CA | Reviewed on Dec 01, 2025
Trip was excellent - Paul did a great job planning the entire amazing adventure. All details were taken care of - the guides were all excellent, the crew of the Monserrat was very attentive and each step from meeting our group at the airport when we arrived to when we departed was all taken care of. This was our 4th adventure planned by KimKim and it won't be our last. Read more

Trip was excellent - Paul did a great job planning the entire amazing adventure. All details were taken care of - the guides were all excellent, the crew of the Monserrat was very attentive and each step from meeting our group at the airport when we arrived to when we departed was all taken care of. This was our 4th adventure planned by KimKim and it won't be our last.

Hotel Reviews
Patio Andaluz
Quito
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Great location, super friendly staff and lovely rooms

Authenticity & Character
Lovely hotel with large rooms
Location
Staff
The staff was very attentive and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
M/Y Monserrat
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Sailing around was wonderful on a small ship.
Staff
Crew was friendly - the guides were able to provide so much information on what we would see, where we would travel to. They provided a wonderful video of our adventure on the Monserrat.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were rather small (but it is a small ship) recommend that suitcases be duffle bags or carry on size. Rooms were very clean
Holiday Inn Quito Airport, an IHG Hotel
Tababela

Great location close to the Airport for early morning departures

Activity Reviews
Quito City Tour
Quito City Tour
Galapagos Islands
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Quito Cooking Class
Quito Cooking Class
Galapagos Islands

Great experience - the chef and sous chef were wonderful and we really enjoyed "preparing our lunch"

Quality of Experience
Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach
Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach
Cruise Ship
Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point
Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point
Cruise Ship
Santiago Island: Buccaneer's Cove
Santiago Island: Buccaneer's Cove
Cruise Ship
North Seymour Island
North Seymour Island
Cruise Ship
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Galapagos Islands
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands
Isabela Island: Tagus Cove
Isabela Island: Tagus Cove
Cruise Ship
Isabela Island: Urbina Bay
Isabela Island: Urbina Bay
Cruise Ship
Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point
Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point
Cruise Ship
Santiago Island: Egas Port
Santiago Island: Egas Port
Cruise Ship
Local specialist: Paul Cisneros
Paul
Paul Cisneros
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Dec 01, 2025

Hi dear Kathie,

Thank you so much for your kind words, it makes me very happy to hear that you’ll continue having new adventures with Kimkim. I really appreciate your feedback on the activities, and I’m glad that you, your family, and your friends enjoyed each one during your time in our country.

Warm greetings from Quito!
Paul

Read all Galapagos Islands reviews