Ecuador Begins: Guayaquil to Cuenca
In this first part of our Ecuador Mini-Series on The World Vegan Travel Podcast, Brighde takes us through two unforgettable cities — Guayaquil and Cuenca — to show just how colorful, surprising, and vegan-friendly Ecuador can be.
This journey wasn’t only a family trip with Seb, his mum Pauline, and cousin Veronique — it was also a scouting adventure to prepare for World Vegan Travel’s 2027 Galápagos departures and possible Ecuador add-ons. 🌎
Guayaquil Surprises: Music, Color & Cacao
After landing past midnight, the group settled in for rest before discovering a side of Guayaquil they never expected — full of street art, music, and warmth.
Their first full day began with an almuerzo lesson — Ecuador’s beloved set lunch tradition. For just $4 they enjoyed soup, fresh juice, rice, beans, plantain, salad, and a tasty vegan “meatball.”
💡 Vegan travel tip: At regular restaurants, ask for “sin queso, sin huevo, sin mayonesa.” You’ll often get a fully plant-based plate.
Then came Guayaquil’s highlights:
- Malecón 2000 – a safe, scenic 2.5 km riverside walkway with gardens, cafés, and fountains.
- Plaza Guayarte – a creative container-park area filled with murals and small eateries.
- Chocolate workshop – a taste of Ecuador’s cacao heritage, complete with vegan cookies and chocolate beer!
- Iguana Park – right downtown, where friendly iguanas sunbathe beside the cathedral.
Back at the hotel, a rooftop dinner of hearts-of-palm ceviche and a vegan burrito ended the perfect first chapter.
Up to the Andes: Cajas National Park & Cuenca
The next day, Brighde and Seb’s family climbed into the Andes Mountains, winding through misty peaks and hundreds of lakes inside Cajas National Park.
Soon, they arrived in Cuenca, a postcard-perfect city with red-tiled roofs and blue-domed cathedrals.
Dinner at Fratello Vegan Café was a feast — a seitan steak with chocolate-red-wine sauce, mushroom risotto, and avocado salad.
The following morning brought more local treasures:
- Parque Calderón – Cuenca’s main square framed by colonial buildings.
- The New Cathedral – known for its three brilliant blue domes and marble interior.
- Mercado 10 de Agosto – bursting with local produce, textiles, and vegan-friendly snacks.
Best of all was a simple $1 bowl of chifles mixtos con curtido — crispy plantain chips with pickled onion, tomato, chili, and lime. Crunchy, spicy, and accidentally vegan perfection.
Before heading back to the coast, they paused once more in Cajas National Park, where cold mist drifted over the páramo grasslands — a fitting farewell to the highlands.
Why You’ll Love Vegan Travel in Ecuador
Many travelers see Guayaquil and Cuenca as quick stops on the way to the Galápagos Islands, but together they offer the perfect mix of coastal creativity and high-Andean charm.
You’ll find:
- Friendly locals proud of their food culture
- Easy vegan options in both cities
- Cacao workshops, colorful markets, and vibrant art scenes
- Peaceful plazas, colonial architecture, and mountain air
Ecuador proves that vegan travel can be joyful, delicious, and endlessly surprising.
What’s Next in the Mini-Series
This was only Part 1! Next time, Brighde takes us to the Galápagos Islands — a dream destination filled with sea lions, giant tortoises, and island life aboard a luxury yacht.
Don’t miss it — subscribe to the podcast so you’ll hear it first!
📣 Join Our 2027 Galápagos Trips!
Ready to experience vegan travel Ecuador-style?
Join our 2027 Galápagos Departures and explore this magical region the plant-based way.
👉 Pre-register now for the 2027 Galápagos Trips
🌍 Places Mentioned in This Episode
- Malecón 2000, Guayaquil – vibrant riverside boardwalk
- Plaza Guayarte, Guayaquil – creative street-art hub
- Restaurante Vegetariano Segundo Paso, Guayaquil – local vegan favorite
- Cajas National Park – high-Andean lakes and misty vistas
- Fratello Vegan Café, Cuenca – indulgent vegan dining
- Parque Calderón, Cuenca – historic city center
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Cuenca – blue-domed landmark
- Mercado 10 de Agosto, Cuenca – fresh produce and crafts
💚 Want More Vegan Travel Inspiration?
- Vegan Travel in Croatia | Behind the Scenes of Trip Planning
- Vegan London | From Historic Treasures to Baklava Cheesecake
- Vegan UK Road Trip | Stone Circles, Cat Cafés & Castle Feasts
- Vegan in Vegas | Heat, Shows, and Shockingly Good Nachos
- Vegan France: Castles, Caves & Elephant Sanctuaries
Connect with World Vegan Travel
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