20+ Things to Do in Vilcabamba Ecuador

If you’re looking for things to do in Vilcabamba, Ecuador, here’s a quick guide to the valley’s activities, attractions, food, and events on offer.

About Vilcabamba Ecuador

Vilcabamba is known for being a scenic “Valley of Longevity” where many inhabitants are said to live beyond 100 years. Derived from the Quichwa words “huilco pamba“, meaning a plain of sacred trees (with hallucinogenic properties), the valley was apparently a place of retreat for Incan royalty.

Located in the Andes of southern Ecuador, Vilcabamba has been enjoyed by backpackers and adventure travelers for years. The small, picturesque village is surrounded by possibilities for outdoor adventure.

In addition to its natural beauty and outdoor activities, Vilcabamba also has a bit of a reputation for having many gringos. The percentage of non-Ecuadorian residents gives it a different vibe than other places in Ecuador we’ve experienced, which may be appealing to some travelers and off-putting to others.

Many free-spirited foreigners have found their paradise and settled here. Some expats seem to have come specifically to be off the radar or to distance themselves from restrictions and regulations. This is probably why there is less conformity to Covid rules in Vilcabamba than most of Ecuador.

Best Time to Visit Vilcabamba

The climate in Vilcabamba is mild and pleasant year-round. The temperatures in Vilcabamba are rarely extreme, with an annual average of 60 °F. A couple residents told us they prefer the weather even over Cuenca, the City of Eternal Spring.

January, February, and March tend to be the rainiest months, while it can get quite dry and brown in July or August. However, you can’t really go wrong whenever you choose to visit Vilcabamba.

Because tourism is important to Vilcabamba’s economy, do be aware that some restaurants and businesses will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

How to Get To Vilcabamba

The closest airport to Vilcabamba is in Loja, about an hour away. Even if you’re traveling by land, you’ll most likely need to pass through Loja first. (The border with Peru to the south is 4 hours away, but has been closed since the pandemic.)

From Cuenca, it’s a 4 hour bus ($7.50) or van ride to Loja. Then you’ll take a Vilcabambaturis bus the rest of the way ($1.65).

Another option to arrive direct from Cuenca is to reserve a spot on the Izhcayluma daily shuttle ($20). This saves you about 2 hours in transit, however, departures are limited to 1:30pm from Cuenca and 8am from Izhcayluma.

Our Trip to Vilcabamba

While staying a few months in Cuenca in Fall 2021, we had the opportunity to visit Vilcabamba as a short break from the city. We were delighted to be hosted by Hostería Izhcayluma, after hearing so many great things about the place.

As digital nomads, we did have to continue working online in Vilcabamba. However, we set aside enough time to explore the town, enjoy some hiking, and meet a few residents in Vilcabamba. 

While we weren’t able to experience all of the great things to do in Vilcabamba during our stay, we’ll supplement this post with our usual extensive research and local recommendations to fill in the gaps!

Where to Stay in Vilcabamba Ecuador

Vilcabamba has a variety of accommodations options, including hostels, hotels, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb vacation rentals, and furnished apartments.

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Hostería Izhcayluma Ecolodge

We heard rave reviews about Izhcayluma from Cuenca expats and locals, travel bloggers, and friends. As we soon found out, it’s no wonder this is the first choice for so many travelers. It is a truly relaxing and one-of-a-kind place to stay. 

Located about a mile and a half uphill from Vilcabamba town, the once-deforested property is now a lush, tropical retreat. Dormitories, private rooms, cabins, and vacation apartments are situated throughout the gardens. 

A restaurant, bar, pool, spa, yoga center, and hiking trails are all on-site. With the friendly, stress-free atmosphere and inspiring views, I can see this being a wonderful place to have a retreat. They also have high-speed wifi for those of us who need to stay connected.

1. Hiking in Vilcabamba

With the great weather and natural beauty, we personally think hiking is one of the best things to do in Vilcabamba. Vilcahike.com is a great online resource we found, and below are some highlights.

2. Cascada El Palto – This moderately-difficult waterfall hike in Vilcabamba is about 5 miles out when starting from town, or half that from the trailhead at Yamburara Alto. The path is also popular for horseback riding, with great views of the valley along the way.

3. Cerro Mandango – Another popular hike from Vilcabamba town goes to the cross overlooking the valley, Lower Mandango. The 3-mile out-and-back climb is quite a workout, and we were glad to have hiking sticks on the rocky way down. There are also options to continue along the steep mountain ridge, making a 7k loop.

4. Izhcayluma Loop – This loop is almost 6 miles including steep climbs and following a creek through the brush and under barbed wire fences. It’s well-marked, but the half to the west of the main road can be difficult, with steep drop-offs on both sides.

5. Podocarpus National Park – There are several short, easy hiking trails and even multi-day treks through Podocarpus National Park’s cloud forest. Trails from Vilcabamba also provide views into the expansive reserve. 

6. Rumi Wilco Nature Reserve – Across the river on the North side of Vilcabamba is 40 hectares of privately protected forest. A box for $2 contributions is at the entrance of the reserve. You can follow a flat, easy trail along the river or ascend the Cerro Guaranga behind it on a steep, difficult 3 mile loop.

7. Explore the Main Plaza: Parque de Vilcabamba

This is a cute little square with benches to relax and people watch. Here you’ll find local and expat-run shops and restaurants, ice cream, ATMs, the church, and a line of mixto taxis waiting for passengers.

8. Shop at the Vilcabamba Farmer’s Market

The main farmer’s markets are on the weekends at the Municipal Market building next to the bus terminal. The organic market, Feria Agroecologica Vilcabamba, is Saturday mornings.

9. Practice Yoga in Vilcabamba

In addition to the free gentle yoga each morning for guests at Izhcayluma Ecolodge, there are  daily yoga classes as well as teacher trainings and yoga retreats. 

10. Enjoy a Massage or Spa Treatment in Vilcabamba

In town, Massage Piedad and Aba Esthetica are highly rated. We can vouch for the massages at Hostería Izhcayluma, which has a beautiful spa and talented local masseuses.

A 75-minute full body massage is $25 USD at the item of this writing. Other wellness services they offer at Izhcayluma include facials, exfoliation, clay and oil treatment, reiki, hair treatments, manicures, and pedicures.

11. Eat Single Origin Chocolate

Beverly Hills Cafe, just off the main square, is a coffee and dessert shop. Sourcing cacao from their own farms, they sell bulk chocolate, cocoa powder, and coffee from the shop.

12. Learn from Vilcabamba’s Permaculture Farm

Finca Verde permaculture demo farm offers courses, workshops, and internships on regenerative farming and gardening practices. We met a Cuencana who was really looking forward to their training.

13. Visit Museo de la Música

Vilcabamba’s free Music Museum covers the music history of Loja, Ecuador’s music capitol. It is small but includes manuscripts, instruments, and photos.

14. Visit Craig’s book exchange

In addition to exchanging used books, the funky Craig’s Book Exchange is also a fine art gallery with paintings, pottery, jewelry, and art classes. 

15. Try your hand at archery

Vilcabamba has its own archery shooting range, Casa del Arco. Ages 9 and up can go for practice or take a class. 

16. Horse Back Riding in Vilcabamba

Horse riding is another great way to experience the outdoors in Vilcabamba. A popular horse back trail goes to El Palto waterfall, mentioned above. Horse tours can be arranged by Izhcayluma or other adventure operators in town.

17. Take a Day Trip to Loja

For an excursion to a larger city with supermarkets and other amenities, you can easily visit Loja for a day. It’s just over an hour and $1.65 by bus, or 45 minutes and $20 by taxi.

18. Explore Nearby Villages

Vilcabamba has a few small villages on its outskirts. You can visit them on foot or car to see what daily rural life is like in Southern Ecuador.

If you’re interested in an off-the-beaten path Ecuadorian experience, Saraguro is a small town between Vilcabamba and Loja with a large indigenous population. It’s known for music, corn, and marble.

Where to Eat in Vilcabamba Ecuador

When looking for the best Vilcabamba restaurants, there really is a variety. Below are some of the best restaurants according to reviews and our own experience.

18. Izhcayluma – Follow signs to Reception and you’ll find a tranquil open-air restaurant with panoramic views amid lush greenery. As the owners have German background, many of their best dishes are German or European. They also serve their own craft German beers. Meals are around $6 – $10 per person. Breakfast of granola, yogurt, toast, juice, and coffee/tea is $3.90.

19. United Falafel Org – This is probably the most talked-about restaurant. It’s on the main square and has a large Turkish-inspired menu, made from scratch. Most dishes are $5 – $9. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

20. Restaurant Katherine – This centrally-located restaurant serves Ecuadorian and Bolivian food, including set menu of the day almuerzos for $3 – $4. Other dishes are $5 – $7.

21. Natural Yogur Vilcabamba – Juices, smoothies, breakfast plates, crepes, pasta, burgers and fries … they kind of have it all. Their desayunos are $3, or $3.75 with bacon and a large fresh juice. 

22. Asados – A cheap, local food restaurant that specializes in grilling. 

Is Vilcabamba worth visiting?

Like any destination, Vilcabamba may not be for everyone, but most travelers can find something to do and enjoy here. If you love nature and the outdoors, Vilcabamba is truly a beautiful place to visit.

If you’re looking for a peaceful place to relax and recharge, consider visiting Vilcabamba. On the other hand, if you need big city activity and night life, or if you want to steer clear of any eccentric anglophones with conspiracy theories, maybe another destination would be better for you.

We’re glad we got to visit and enjoyed our stay. Personally, we still choose Cuenca for longer-term stays but would love to return to Vilcabamba as a place to retreat.

For other Ecuador destinations:

–A Guide to What to See and Do in Cuenca, Ecuador
– 5 Great Day Trips from Cuenca, Ecuador 
–What to See and Do in Baños, Ecuador 
–Beautiful Places to Visit in the Ecuadorian Andes 
–What to Do On A Day Trip to Otavalo, Ecuador 
–Ecuador Highlights 
–Top Things You Must See and Do in Quito, Ecuador 
–Why Visit Llullu Llama Hostel Near Quilatoa 

Disclosure: We received a free stay and food at HosterÍa Izhcayluma. All opinions about our stay are our own. Other information provided in this post is based on research and online reviews from fellow travelers.