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Capital: Quito (constitutional and administrative)
System: Unitary presidential republic
Area: About 283,561 square kilometres (109,484 square miles)
Size comparison: Roughly the size of the United Kingdom and slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Nevada
Population: Approximately 18 million people
Languages: Spanish (official, alongside 13 recognised indigenous languages such as Kichwa and Shuar)
Religion: The predominant religion is Christianity, with the majority identifying as Roman Catholic, followed by Protestant and other Christian denominations
USEFUL INFORMATION
Currency & banking
The official currency in Ecuador is the US Dollar, which is issued and overseen by the Central Bank of Ecuador. If you’re buying your travel money online you may also see the official code being shown – USD. In stores and restaurants, US Dollar prices are likely to use the currency symbol $.
Once you’re in Ecuador you’ll see costs of items shown in USD and you’ll need to start paying for things in local coins and notes which are often found in the following denominations:
banknotes – 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and coins – 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100.
Etiquette
Ecuadorians are generally laid-back and take the quirks of foreigners in stride, but there are a few niceties worth noting.
- Greetings Greeting those you pass on the street with a ‘Buenos días’(or ‘buenas tardes’ or ‘buenas noches,’ as the time of day warrants) is considered a basic courtesy. The same goes for beginning any conversation with a greeting and some small talk before getting down to business.
- Dining When passing other diners, Ecuadorians will wish them ‘Buen provecho’ (bon appetit) – also offered around the table to dining companions, of course.
- Queueing In business establishments, queuing is expected, but in more far-flung locales, taxi lines, bus stations and markets can be more of a (generally courteous) free-for-all.
Getting around
Air
With the exception of flying to the Galápagos Islands, internal flights are generally fairly cheap, rarely exceeding $125 for a one-way ticket. All mainland flights are under an hour and often provide you with incredible views over the Andes.
Flights to most destinations originate in Quito or Guayaquil only.
Bicycle
Cycling in the Andes is strenuous, not only because of hill climbs but because of the altitudes. Road rules are few, and there are not many bike lanes around the country. But, after major investments in infrastructure, the roads are in good shape in Ecuador, and many larger cities have signed ciclovias (bike paths), some of which are closed to vehicle traffic on Sundays, notably in Quito.
Bike shops are scarce outside of Quito, and those that do exist usually have a very limited selection of parts. Bring all important spare parts and tools from home. The country’s best mountain-bike tour operators are in Quito and Riobamba.
Bus
Buses are the primary means of transport for most Ecuadorians, guaranteed to go just about anywhere. They can be exciting, cramped, comfy, smelly, fun, scary, sociable and grueling, depending on your state of mind, where you’re going and who’s driving.
There have also been some tragic bus accidents in recent years. Most buses lack seat belts, but if you’re on one that has them, do use them.
Most major cities have a main terminal terrestre (bus terminal), although some towns have a host of private terminals – and you’ll have to go to the right one to catch the bus going where you need to go. Most stations are within walking distance or a short cab ride of the town’s centre. Smaller towns are occasionally served by passing buses, in which case you have to walk from the highway into town, usually only a short walk since only the smallest towns lack terminals.
Car and motorcycle
Driving a car or motorcycle in Ecuador presents its challenges, with potholes, blind turns, and insanely fast bus and truck drivers. The good news is that infrastructure has dramatically improved, with new roads and bridges, and better road signage, making road travel much smoother. Speed bumps (‘sleeping policemen’ to Ecuadorians) are sometimes painted, but often, invisible.
Driver’s License
You are required to have a driver’s license from your home country and a passport whenever you’re driving. The international driver’s license can also come in handy when renting a car (though it’s not officially required).
Train
Much to the delight of train enthusiasts, Ecuador’s rail system has finally been restored. Unfortunately, it’s not useful for travel, as the routes are used for day trips designed exclusively for tourists. The trains run along short routes, typically on weekends, sometimes with return service by bus. The most famous line is the dramatic descent from Alausí along La Nariz del Diablo (The Devil’s Nose), a spectacular section of train track that was one of the world’s greatest feats of railroad engineering. The second is the weekend train excursion between Quito and the Area Nacional de Recreación El Boliche, near Cotopaxi.
Health advice
Medical care is usually available in major cities, but may be quite difficult to find in rural areas. Pharmacies in Ecuador are known as farmácias. It can be challenging to find imported pharmaceutical items; bring essential health and hygiene supplies since these generally cost more in Ecuador.
Availability and cost of healthcare
Public health care is free for everyone in Ecuador, visitors included, although the quality of services varies.
Private medical services are quite inexpensive compared to the US, and in larger cities such as Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, it’s possible to find foreign-trained, English-speaking physicians.
Typically, patients must pay at the time of treatment. Contact your embassy or consulate for recommendations of quality providers should you require serious medical attention.
Infectious diseases
Many of the following diseases are spread by mosquitoes. Take precautions to minimize your chances of being bitten:
- Cholera
- Dengue Fever
- Malaria
- Zika Virus
- Rabies
- Thyphoid
- Yellow Fever
The US Center For Disease Control maintains an updated list of medical advice for those traveling to Ecuador.
The CDC recommends being up to date with all your regular shots. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot
They also suggest being vaccinated for hepatitis A and typhoid. There is also some advice about protection for hepatitis B, rabies and yellow fever – but this depends to some degree on where you are heading and what you are doing. Check the CDC site above for the latest.
Food safety
It’s generally advisable not to drink tap water anywhere in Ecuador. Bottled water is widely available, and some hotels and guesthouses catering to foreigners provide purified water (agua purificada) for guests wishing to fill their own bottles.
Safety
Here is a link to the US State Department Travel Advisory for Ecuador for the latest information on travelling to Peru.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel within the 20km exclusion zone along the border with Colombia, except for the official border crossing town of Tulcan in Carchi province.
The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:
- the areas of Tarapoa and the Cuyabeno reserve outside the 20km zone in Sucumbios
- the areas of El Angel Ecological Reserve inside the 20 km exclusion zone in the province of Carchi
- all other areas of Esmeraldas province outside the 20km exclusion zone
The security situation in the province of Esmeraldas can change very quickly. If you’re undertaking essential travel in areas of the province beyond the 20km exclusion zone, you should pay close attention to warnings issued by the Ecuadorean authorities, be particularly cautious and vigilant, and monitor this travel advice regularly. See Local travel
Although Ecuador doesn’t have a history of terrorism, in 2018 there have been a number of bomb explosions and kidnappings in the northern province of Esmeraldas. See Terrorism
Ecuador is situated in an area of intense seismic activity. There is a high risk of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. You should make sure you are aware of the risks and are familiar with the relevant safety and evacuation procedures. In the event of a natural disaster, you should monitor official channels – the Ecuadorean National Geophysical Institute and the National Service for Risk and Emergency Management (both Spanish only) – and follow the advice of the local authorities.
Cases of armed robbery are increasing and petty crime is common.
Climate
Ecuador lends itself to year-round exploration, with weather variations usually the result of regional differences and micro-climates rather than clearly defined seasons. In the highlands, for example, although there is a drier season from June to September, the ‘four seasons in a day’ phenomenon can happen at any time, so you should not limit your travel planning to just one time of year. The country’s cultural attractions can be enjoyed at any time, as can hiking or more gentle touring on the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Similarly, the wildlife of mainland Ecuador can be enjoyed year-round, with the Amazon and the cloudforests delighting visitors whatever the season.
Average Temperatures and Rainfall
Weather Month-By-Month
The coolest and wettest period to visit Ecuador is between January and May, but most of the time rainfall presents itself in afternoon showers. Many people still choose to travel to Ecuador at this time as the the waters around the Galapagos Islands are at their warmest and calmest.
Events & Festivals
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Semana Santa (the week before Easter): Semana Santa sees religious parades across Ecuador, with the Good Friday processions in Quito a particular highlight.
Officially the driest and warmest months to visit the Ecuadorian mainland. Visitors can often enjoy clear blue Andean skies and warm sunshine. Fewer showers also make for more prolonged periods to enjoy birdwatching in the cloudforests. This is also the peak time to visit neighbouring Peru, so early planning is advisable.
Events & Festivals
- Corpus Christi (June): Corpus Christi, falling shortly after Trinity Sunday, is particularly celebrated around Cotopaxi and in the highlands. Many villages have their own traditional costumes, music and dance..
Towards the end of the year, as the South American national holidays approach and the waters around the Galapagos become calmer again, this is a popular time to visit Ecuador, so early booking is again advisable.
Events & Festivals
- Day of the Dead/All Soul’s Day (2nd November): Families commemorate lost loved ones with flowers and visits to cemeteries, and consume purple coloada morada – a traditional drink made from black cornflower and fruits.
- Independence Celebrations (9th October): If you happen to be in the coastal city of Guayaquil for the Independence Day, you can expect street parties, fireworks and an infectious lively atmosphere.
- The Foundation of Quito Festival (6th December): Street parties and parades are seen on the capital’s cobbled streets.
Visa information
Tourist Visas for Ecuador
Ecuador welcomes people from all over the world who wish to visit for a short period of time or to establish a permanent residency. Most people do not require a visa prior to visiting Ecuador for a stay of up to 90 days. Nonetheless, citizens (passport holders) from the following countries must obtain a visa at the Ecuadorian consulate of their jurisdiction:
| Afghanistan | Bangladesh | Eritrea | Ethiopia |
| Ethiopia | Kenya | Nepal | Nigeria |
| Pakistan | Somalia | Senegal | Cuba |
| North Korea |
In addition, since August 12, 2019, nationals of the following countries require a visa to enter Ecuador:
| Angola | Cameroon | Gambia | Ghana |
| Guinea | India | Iraq | Libya |
| DR of Congo | Syria | Sri Lanka |
All travellers must have the following:
- A passport with remaining validity of at least 6 months beyond their travel dates.
- A round/onward trip ticket.
- Health insurance that will cover any health issues during their visit to Ecuador.
The possession of a visa or the lack of a visa requirement does not guarantee entry into Ecuador. At the port of entry, an Ecuadorian Customs Official will determine if the person is eligible to enter.
For more information on visas to Ecuador please visit:
Electrical
Which power plugs and sockets are used in Ecuador?
All power sockets in Ecuador provide a standard voltage of 120V with a standard frequency of 60Hz.
Ecuador uses power outlets and plugs of types A & B. Take a look at the pictures below to see what these plugs and power sockets look like:
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Type A – Mostly used in the US, Canada, Mexico, Central America, China and Japan. No other plug types will fit in a type A outlet.
Type B – Similar to type A, but with an extra pin for grounding. Mainly used in the US, Canada, Mexico, Central America and Japan. Plugs of type A will also fit into a type B socket.