Ecuador

When are you going and what do you want to do? What I love may not be of interest in what you want to do....like the little weaving and home crafts museum in Otavalo....just sayin'.
I was there a month mid-Feb to mid-March 2014. I needed bug spray in Mindo region, as it was rainy season there in the cloud forests. Also, I am a bird watcher, so was doing a lot of walking and standing in the rain and bush. I spent 5 days in 'amazonia' jungle and didn't see a mosquito, but sprayed up most days as I was on the water or jungle all day.
I have to bring my own sunscreen as I have allergies, but even in Galapagos, didn't need as much as I expected...but it is on the Equator and some areas at high altitude. Certainly face and back of hands could use sunscreen.
There is also the issues of Yellow Fever and Malaria. Both should be discussed with your travel specialist physician (please make a point of visiting one for recommendations of anti-malarial meds, innoculations, meds for gastro issues, etc....)
I am not really a foodie and when in Quito, I had an apartment so didn't eat out much. They do, however, have the 'menu del dia' that is noon meal for workers who can't get home. It was about $3.25 in 2014 and was a drink, soup and full entre. You will share a table with the locals and it is a local experience....yes, you can eat the food and drink the drink without getting sick.
There was a famous pie shop in Otavalo at the time. My personal thought was 'mmhh', but I might have picked the wrong flavour.
Of your list, I have only been to Otavalo. Don't put any hopes on an authentic market...tourism was the demise of any authenticity years ago. However, they may still have the farmer's market on Saturday morning which was more authentic - knock off Crocs and plastic wear on one side and then all the animals big and small making the bulk of it. If you think the little chicks, rabbits and 'cute things' are going home to be a pet, then don't go. Also if you have strong animal rights feelings - don't go. Otherwise, it is colourful, authentic and a bustling throng. I just followed the groups of local women in their colourful skirts. It is a little out of town, but easily walkable.
I don't do activities like biking or zip lining, but that is around the area. I am more into the local crafts so I took a day trip with Runa Tupari that visited some local craftspeople in various towns as well as Peguche falls and 'guinea pig' lake. The company is more noted for the active adventure day (or multiday) trips. Keep in mind, however, that if not prime tourist season, the tour may be in Spanish only (with a little english help from your guide).
Speaking of Spanish - the assumption in Ecuador is that you speak Spanish. Sure the tourist spots have some English, but not fluent. Keep your translator app handy if you don't have some Spanish.

I would say be prepared for rain and cool temps in Quito (it's always in the 60s). I've been tracking the weather over the past few months and it seems to rain daily in Quito.

Hmm. I guess I thought 'my' Quito weather was just because it was 'winter', LOL. However, it is Andes environment, so it makes sense to be cooler and possibly wetter.
Geographically, Ecuador has a number of weather zones with rainy season being different depending on your proximity to coast, Andes, or jungle.
I do remember reading to also pay attention to the fog particularly if visiting Teleferico and walking around the peak. I am thinking the same can apply in your other areas of interest. So pack layers and extra food/water. I birded higher Andes with cloud and fog skudding through all day.

It’s been 10 years since I was in Quito. We hired a driver through the hotel when we travelled outside the city. We enjoyed Otavalo and La Mitad del Mundo. We also visited Ibarra and a couple towns whose names I don’t remember. In one there were a lot of hand-carved woooden object stores, while the other had leather stores. Because of your location, you will burn much quicker than anyplace in the states. The only restaurant I remember is Pim’s. It was nice and had a great view of Quito at night. It is located on El Panecillo right by the gigantic statue. We took a taxi to, and from, it since we were told it could be dangerous walking there.

Thank you all for your replies! I know that you don't know my preferences, but I have researched stuff for us that fits our likes/dislikes in the guides. I was just wondering if one place, one experience stood out in your mind as a - wow! I loved this, and you might like it, too, if you visit!

Again, thank you for your replies! We're headed to Ecuador later this year, so I just thought I'd ask for anyone's last minute recommendations!

We're going to Quito at the end of this month. One week of Spanish lessons. Then, our big splurge in the cloud forest, Masphi Lodge for two nights. https://www.mashpilodge.com/
We are foodies. We are going to go to the better restaurants, try local cuisine, and check out all the chocolates. We will return mid-June after an 8 day Road Scholar Galapagos Cruise.

You can PM me if you have any questions.

We're going to Quito at the end of this month

Michelle, your trip sounds fabulous. I hope you'll post a review, and thank you for the offer to PM you with questions. I hope to hear that you had an amazing time! :-)

Depending on where you are coming from, one thing to keep in mind is the elevation. Quito sits at over 9,000 feet so ease into any major activities. The menu del dia is available at most local eateries through out S America and is a good way of trying out the local food cheaply. Some places even include a drink within the set price.

It has been over 10 years since I was in Ecuador. You don't mention what month you are traveling in - or I missed it. We were there in late May - early June and caught the Christ the King festival which was fabulous with the parades and statutes, etc.

I loved Banos and also Cuenca. Guayaquil was more gritty but also fascinating - I have heard that they have cleaned up the city and it is much safer now.

I just got back yesterday from Ecuador using a tour company (GAdventures/National Geographic). I went to all of the places you listed with the tour group and on my own. You don't mention how you're getting around. If you drive, be aware it's crazy-pants driving - horn and accelerator in equal measure. Quito traffic is a nightmare. Sunscreen is mandatory - even if it is cloudy, the elevation makes the sun much stronger, even if it isn't hot. The weather forecasts are always wrong. Also, they have the most amazing fresh fruit - eat as much as you can, you won't have it any better. Here's my two cents on things to do:

Quito is high elevation (9000 feet). I knew that, but it was a surprise how winded I got just walking around and I had an altitude headache for several days. Give yourself time and drink lots of water. Old town is a bit sketchy at night, keep your wits about you. I did a middle of the world day tour with CarpeDM. Private car, and they take you to the real equator (not the tourist monument) and the Intinan Museum which was fun. I enjoyed the Casa del Alabado museum. It was the end of the wet season, and it rained every day. If the thunder starts and the locals start running, RUN FOR COVER. I enjoyed a nice meal at Casa Warmi in the new part of town. Also ate at Tianguez, just under San Francisco church (it was just fine).

Otavalo was mostly focused the market. It's overwhelming on the weekends, and personally I liked the smaller markets in other towns we visited. Watch your belongings, one of my tourmates was pickpocketed. Peguche waterfall is a nice hike. Peguche Wasi shop had nice products and demos (we ate there too and it was amazing, but not sure if that is only for tour groups). We stayed at Hacienda Pinsaqui - lovely location, super comfortable beds, decent food (though spendy for Ecuador).

Papallacta we stayed at Termas de Papallacta - fantastic, you have thermal pools right outside your room. They have public baths too (I didn't try them). There is a great loop hike above the hotel - follows a pretty river. We ate at one of the little restaurants near the entrance to the hotel (I don't recall the name). There are a row of them, it was the farthest from the hotel entrance. Had spectacular trout dinner.

Tena our group stayed at a Itamandi EcoLodge which is a bit up from Tena. Didn't actually spend much time in the city proper. If you have a chance to go into the jungle, do it, beautiful. Yes, there are mosquitoes and I got bit several times but mostly where I missed applying bug spray. Wear long sleeves and pants. I've never seen it rain so hard as I did in the jungle. Nothing dries out either, so bring ziplock bags for things you want to protect.

Baños is a cute town. There are nice squares, the church is pretty. Some of my group ziplined and had a blast. I enjoyed a really good dinner at La Closiere de Lilas. The market has cheap eats and great fresh juices. If you go to the public baths, here's the drill: pay entry fee ($2 day time, $3 evening). There are two levels (entrance level is mostly covered, the top level is open air). There are changing rooms. Put your things in one of the plastic crates and take to the counter where they'll give you a wrist band and store your things. Swim caps mandatory (you can buy for 50 cents at the stores around the baths, or rent them at the place). Shower before you get in.

Cotopaxi - surprise, it's at elevation! I believe guides may be mandatory, stop at the park entrance to get one. The mountain was mostly hiding, but still beautiful.

Have a wonderful time. PM me if you want more info.

No Galapagos????

Thanks again for the replies & information. CL - thanks for the offer to PM you as well!

And no, we aren't doing the Galapagos. My other half has major boat issues, so we're just doing Ecuador.