Ecuador travel guide

Getting there

International flights arrive at Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) and Guayaquil's José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport (GYE), which also handle flights to the Galápagos. Land borders connect with Colombia and Peru.

Best time to visit: Jun–Sep for the Andes; Dec–May for warm, calm seas in the Galápagos.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly to Quito, with live one-way and return fares from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: No bad time – but the coast is hot and rainy from January to April, and Andean trails get muddy in the wetter months.

Weather by month in Quito

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Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: America/Guayaquil, Pacific/Galapagos. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 152 of 198 other passports can enter Ecuador without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 46 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 0 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Ecuador (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-08-18). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to Ecuador are based around Quito, Galápagos Islands or Cuenca. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$30–45 for a backpacker and US$70–140 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: A, B. Voltage: 120 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +593.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Quito (Capital · colonial heritage): A high-altitude capital with a UNESCO-listed old town, volcano views and a lively food scene.
• Galápagos Islands (Pacific · wildlife): A volcanic archipelago with unique, fearless wildlife that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution.
• Cuenca (Southern highlands · colonial city): A graceful UNESCO-listed city, a base for Cajas National Park and the Inca site of Ingapirca.
• Baños (Central highlands · adventure): Ecuador's adventure capital, with waterfalls, hot springs, rafting and canyoning in a lush valley.
• Cotopaxi National Park (Avenue of Volcanoes · hiking): Wild páramo landscapes and glaciated peaks, easily reached from Quito.
• Quilotoa (Cotopaxi province · crater lake): A stunning volcanic lake and multi-day village-to-village hiking loop.
• Otavalo (Northern highlands · markets): A town famous for its Indigenous market, set among lakes and volcanoes.
• Cuyabeno & Yasuní (Amazon · rainforest): Two of the most biodiverse rainforest areas on Earth, explored by canoe from jungle lodges.

Things to do

• Sail the Galápagos. Snorkel with sea lions and marine iguanas, and walk past nesting blue-footed boobies that barely notice you.
• Explore Quito's old town. Wander one of the best-preserved colonial centres in Latin America, crammed with gilded churches and plazas.
• Stand on the Equator. Visit the Mitad del Mundo monument and nearby museums north of Quito to straddle both hemispheres.
• Hike the Quilotoa Loop. Trek between Andean villages to the rim of a jewel-green crater lake.
• See Cotopaxi up close. Hike or cycle across high páramo grasslands beneath one of the world's highest active volcanoes.
• Shop at Otavalo market. Browse woven textiles, ponchos and crafts at one of South America's best-known Indigenous markets.
• Go deep into the Amazon. Stay at a jungle lodge in the Yasuní or Cuyabeno region to spot monkeys, caimans and pink river dolphins.
• Swing at the end of the world. Ride the famous treehouse swing in Baños, then cycle the Waterfall Route past thundering cascades.

Eat and drink

• Ceviche – shrimp or fish in a citrus and tomato broth
• Locro de papa – creamy potato and cheese soup
• Encebollado – fish and onion soup
• Hornado – slow-roasted pork with potato cakes

Money and safety

Currency: US dollar (USD). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: A 10% service charge is often included; small extra tips are welcome..

Emergency numbers: 911.

• Ecuador uses the US dollar; bring small notes, as $50 and $100 bills are often refused.
• ATMs are widespread in cities but scarce in the Amazon and on smaller Galápagos islands.
• Security conditions in parts of Ecuador, especially some coastal cities and border areas, have worsened in recent years – check your government's latest travel advice before you go.
• Watch out for pickpockets and bag slashing on buses and in busy markets.