Puerto Lopez Tour: Beach Time, 7 Days

A full week in Puerto Lopez on Ecuador's south Pacific coast — the most generous version of our Galapagos-alternative itinerary, built around long stretches of beach time and a couple of standout day excursions. Travel starts in Quito and crosses the country, watching the Andes Mountains drop into green jungle and finally into the warm coastline. As you descend, the temperature climbs. Settle in at your hotel in Puerto Lopez, then ease into evenings of seafood, beach walks and the relaxed bar scene. Days two, four and six are about doing very little: sunbathing, swimming in the gentle Pacific, playing in the waves, walking the coastline, hunting for big seashells in the sand. Day three is the boat trip to Silver Island (Isla de la Plata in Spanish), where your guide leads you through coastal trails packed with blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds with their huge red inflatable throats, smaller seabirds, crabs and lizards. The snorkel stop drops you into schools of colorful fish with chances of sea turtles, stingrays and whales. After the boat returns, the local fish market and town are worth exploring. Day five is a guided hike through the humid forest behind town — a stretch of dense green jungle that compares to the Amazon Rainforest in feel, home to monkeys and exotic colorful birds. On day seven, a final scenic drive returns you to Quito. This itinerary is for travelers who want depth at the coast and aren't in a hurry to leave.