Quilotoa, Ecuador
Photo by Robinson Recalde on Unsplash
Ecuador for vegan & vegetarian travelers
Ecuador is a manageable destination for vegan and vegetarian travelers, with fresh produce, grains, and legumes widely available. While soups and stews may include meat, cities and tourist areas offer growing vegan-friendly options.
Ecuador
Vegan Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5)
Vegetarian Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Best For: Markets, soups, coastal produce
Challenging Because: Chicken stock and cheese are common
🥗 What to Eat
- Vegetarian-friendly: Llapingachos (potato patties), cheese empanadas, mote
- Vegan-friendly: Menestra de lentejas, patacones, rice with vegetables
- Regional bonus: Andean grains like quinoa and lupini beans (chochos)
🚫 Watch Out For
- Chicken bouillon in rice and soups
- Cheese added automatically
🗣️ Survival Phrases (Spanish)
- I am vegetarian: Soy vegetariano/a
(soy veh-heh-tah-ree-AH-no/na) - No meat or fish: Sin carne ni pescado
(seen KAR-neh nee pehs-KAH-doh) - No chicken stock: Sin caldo de pollo
(seen KAHL-doh deh POH-yoh)
🧭 Veggie Trip Tip
Markets are your best friend — soups can be made vegetarian if you ask early.
🇪🇨 Capital – Quito
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