South AmericaEcuador lies on the Equator in northwestern South America. It has Andean mountains, a tropical coast, Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands.
Why go
Quito and Cuenca have historic centres recognised as World Heritage Sites.
The Galapagos Islands are known for their wildlife.
The Andes include high active volcanoes such as Cotopaxi.
The coast offers beaches, seafood and surfing.
The mainland has cloud forests, rainforest and many kinds of hummingbirds.
Getting there
By air
- Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport is about 30 km east of the city, in Tababela. For very early departures or late arrivals, consider staying in Tababela or Puembo.
- Guayaquil's airport is north of downtown. It has restaurants and duty-free shops.
- The Galapagos Islands have airports on Baltra and San Cristobal. All flights arrive through mainland Ecuador; there are no international flights directly to the islands.
By land
- The source discourages driving into Ecuador because of problems at borders with neighbouring countries.
Customs
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
- You need a return or onward ticket to show the length of your stay.
Getting around
Intercity buses
Buses reach almost everywhere in Ecuador. Buy tickets from bus companies at a central bus terminal, called a terminal terrestre. Long-distance buses usually cost US$1–2 per hour of travel. Groups may be able to negotiate a discount. Advance tickets are usually unnecessary except during busy periods such as holidays. Ejecutivo buses cost a little more and are generally more comfortable and safer. Buses stop to collect passengers, cargo and sellers. Some become crowded enough for passengers to stand in the aisle. Onboard toilets, where available, are usually reserved for women. Men can ask the driver to stop for a toilet break. Mountain journeys involve changes in height that can cause pressure in your ears.
Rental cars
Cars can be rented in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca. Rental businesses are generally outside the airports. Carry your original driving licence. The source says visitors can use their home licence, but need an international licence if it uses a non-Latin writing system. The source warns that driving without a licence or exceeding the speed limit by 30 km/h can lead to three nights in jail. Choose a vehicle with plenty of space between its underside and the road, because speed bumps can be very tall. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is needed for some remote areas. Ask the rental agency to explain local driving habits before setting out. Road conditions vary, especially outside cities.
Domestic flights
Flights connect major mainland cities. LATAM Ecuador and Avianca Ecuador operate domestic services. The source lists one-way mainland fares of US$50–100. Return-trip promotions can sometimes cost about the same.
Boats
Boats are useful on Ecuador's coast and large rivers. In the rainforest, boats can reach places that are otherwise hard to access.
What to see and do
Quito and Cuenca
Both Andean cities are World Heritage Sites. Quito has historic colonial buildings.
Galapagos Islands
These islands are a World Heritage Site known for wildlife.
Cotopaxi and Chimborazo
Cotopaxi is a high active volcano. Chimborazo is Ecuador's highest peak.
Loma Alta
This cloud forest covers 2,428 hectares.
Tigua and Calderon
Tigua is known for bright paintings, while Calderon is known for folk art.
Agua Blanca
This is an indigenous territory of the Manta people.
Food and drink
Almuerzo and merienda
These are set lunch and dinner meals. They usually include soup, a meat main course and dessert.
Locro de papa
A soup made with potatoes, avocado and cheese.
Ceviche
A cold seafood dish common on the coast. It is usually served with thin fried plantain slices and popcorn.
Encebollado
A coastal fish soup with tomato, yuca and marinated vegetables. Fried plantain slices add crunch.
Cuy
Guinea pig eaten in the highlands. It is roasted or fried and often served whole.
Empanadas
Filled pastries commonly eaten as afternoon snacks. Cheese and chicken are common fillings.
Money
United States dollar (USD)
- Other currencies are not readily accepted.
- Both Ecuadorian coins and United States coins are accepted at the same value. Dollar coins are widely used.
- Carry plenty of US$1 and US$5 notes. Shops and cheap buses may struggle to give change.
- Many businesses refuse US$50 and US$100 notes. You usually need a bank to change a US$100 note.
Tipping: Bars, restaurants and hotels include a 10% service charge, so an extra tip is not required. Small change is customary for good restaurant service; some restaurants without a service charge offer a 5–10% card tip option.
Typical costs
- A basic set lunch or dinner can cost US$1–2 and usually includes soup, a meat main course and dessert.
- Outside tourist areas, a clean but basic hotel room can cost less than US$10.
- The source lists locally recommended hotels at US$6–14. Air conditioning may cost another US$1–2 per night.
- Long-distance buses usually cost US$1–2 per hour.
- Some restaurants charging US$4 or more per meal add a 12% sales tax and a 10% service fee.
- The source lists admission to a public hot spring bath in Baños at US$1.
Language
- Spanish is the official language.
- Indigenous languages, especially Quechua, are spoken in many rural mountain villages.
- English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and businesses serving higher-end travellers.
- Buenos días
- Good morning.
- Buenas tardes
- Good afternoon.
- Buenas noches
- Good evening.
- Hola
- Hello; common among friends and acquaintances.
- La cuenta, por favor.
- The bill, please.
- Con gas / sin gas
- Sparkling / still, when ordering water.
- Usted
- The polite form of 'you', used for older people and people you do not know.
Staying safe
- The source's warning, updated 4 March 2026, advises avoiding non-essential travel within 20 km of Colombia's border, except Tulcán in Carchi province. It reports kidnapping by drug traffickers and criminal groups.
- The same warning reports a State of Emergency in the Coastal Lowlands provinces. It describes travel through Guayaquil Airport as safe.
- Keep money out of sight, avoid civil disturbances and avoid side streets in large cities at night.
- Watch your belongings in crowds, on Quito's Trolébus, at bus terminals and on buses. Do not leave belongings unattended on beaches.
Local customs
Do
- Use buenos días, buenas tardes or buenas noches as polite greetings.
- Use usted when speaking Spanish to older people or people you do not know. Use it when unsure.
- Expect people to stand fairly close during conversation.
- In the Sierra, hold your hand sideways when showing a person's height.
- To call someone over, move your hand downward with your palm facing down.
- Ask for the restaurant bill by saying 'La cuenta, por favor.'
Don't
- Do not use a downward-facing palm to show a person's height in the Sierra. That gesture is used for animals.
- Do not beckon someone with your palm facing up.
- Avoid rubbing your fingers together to ask for the bill. A spoken request is better accepted.
Staying healthy
- Drink bottled or boiled water. Tap water is unsafe to drink.
- Bottled water can also be used for brushing your teeth. Some hostels and hotels provide it.
- Food-related illness is a significant health risk. Restaurant hygiene varies.
- The source recommends typhoid vaccination and possibly yellow fever vaccination, depending on where you travel.
Where to stay
- Low-cost hostels are found throughout Ecuador. In smaller towns, some are private homes that welcome travellers.
- Local people can help you find inexpensive hotels. The source gives a price range of US$6–14.
- Large groups may be able to negotiate lower room prices.
- Air conditioning may cost an extra US$1–2 per night.
Outdoor adventures in Ecuador
Ecuador offers volcano climbs, Andean walking routes, rainforest rivers and coastal beaches. The Galapagos Islands are known for wildlife, while mainland spots offer bird watching, surfing, cycling and hot springs. High altitude and safety risks need careful planning.
Galapagos Islands wildlife watching
WildlifeGalapagos Islands
Visit the islands for their wildlife. Transport and tour arrangements are not specified.
Cotopaxi climbing
ClimbingAndean Highlands
Climb with a large group. Specific routes and guide arrangements are not given.
- Give your body time to adjust to the altitude and avoid hard exercise at first.
- Avoid solo climbs. Attacks and robberies have occurred on remote climbing routes.
Quilotoa Loop
TrekAndean Highlands
Follow the Andean route linking Quilotoa crater lake, Zumbahua and Chugchilán. Transport and guide arrangements are not specified.
- Give your body time to adjust to the altitude before strenuous walking.
- Avoid walking alone. Travellers are urged to hike in a large group.
Montañita surfing
SurfingCoastal Lowlandsnear Montañita
Travel to Montañita on the coast, about three hours from Guayaquil. Surf lesson and rental arrangements are not specified.
- Do not leave belongings unattended on the beach.
Tena white-water rafting
RaftingAmazon Rainforestnear Tena
Use Tena as your base for rafting. Specific rivers and operators are not named.
Tena kayaking
KayakingAmazon Rainforestnear Tena
Use Tena as your base for kayaking. Specific routes and operators are not named.
Mindo bird watching
Wildlifenear Mindo
Visit Mindo for bird watching in cloud forest. Guide and transport arrangements are not specified.
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve bird watching
Wildlife
Visit Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve for bird watching. Access and tour arrangements are not specified.
Baños rafting
Raftingnear Baños
Join a rafting excursion from Baños. English-speaking guides are available.
- Arrange the necessary vaccinations before taking part.
- Long periods of exposure to the water can cause infections.
Baños mountain climbing
Climbingnear Baños
Arrange a mountain-climbing excursion in Baños. English-speaking guides are available.
- At high altitude, give your body time to adjust before hard exercise.
- Avoid solo climbs and travel in a large group.
Baños backpacking excursions
Treknear Baños
Arrange a backpacking excursion from Baños. English-speaking guides are available.
- Avoid hiking alone and go in a large group.
- On high-altitude routes, give your body time to adjust before hard exercise.
Baños public hot spring bath
Hot springnear Baños
Visit the public mineral bath in Baños. Arrive when it opens for the freshest water.
- Cost: US$1 admission
- The water is freshest and cleanest at opening time.
Baños to Puyo downhill cycling
Cyclingnear Baños
Ride downhill from Baños towards Puyo. Bicycle rental and tour arrangements are not specified.
Imbabura rafting tours
RaftingImbabura provincenear Ibarra
Travel to Ibarra and the surrounding province, about a 90-minute ride from Quito, for adventure tours that include rafting. Operators and rivers are not named.
Imbabura kayaking tours
KayakingImbabura provincenear Ibarra
Travel to Ibarra and the surrounding province, about a 90-minute ride from Quito, for adventure tours that include kayaking. Operators and routes are not named.
Imbabura trekking tours
TrekImbabura provincenear Ibarra
Travel to Ibarra and the surrounding province, about a 90-minute ride from Quito, for trekking tours. Specific routes are not named.
- Avoid hiking alone and go in a large group.
- At high altitude, give your body time to adjust before hard exercise.
Imbabura swing jumping
More to doImbabura provincenear Ibarra
Travel to Ibarra and the surrounding province, about a 90-minute ride from Quito, for adventure tours that include swing jumping. Operators and exact sites are not named.
San Luis de Pambil hummingbird watching
Wildlife
Visit San Luis de Pambil to look for hummingbirds. Access and guide arrangements are not specified.
Salinas beach
BeacheCoastal Lowlandsnear Salinas
Visit the beach in Salinas. Transport arrangements are not specified.
- Do not leave belongings unattended on the beach.
Canoa beach
BeacheCoastal Lowlandsnear Canoa
Visit the small beach town of Canoa. Transport arrangements are not specified.
- Do not leave belongings unattended on the beach.
Bahía de Caráquez beaches
BeacheCoastal Lowlandsnear Bahía de Caráquez
Visit the beaches at Bahía de Caráquez. Transport arrangements are not specified.
- Do not leave belongings unattended on the beach.
Manta beaches
BeacheCoastal Lowlandsnear Manta
Visit the beaches at Manta. Transport arrangements are not specified.
- Do not leave belongings unattended on the beach.
Crucita beaches
BeacheCoastal Lowlandsnear Crucita
Visit the beaches at Crucita. Transport arrangements are not specified.
- Do not leave belongings unattended on the beach.
San Jacinto beaches
BeacheCoastal Lowlandsnear San Jacinto
Visit the beaches at San Jacinto. Transport arrangements are not specified.
- Do not leave belongings unattended on the beach.
San Clemente beaches
BeacheCoastal Lowlandsnear San Clemente
Visit the beaches at San Clemente. Transport arrangements are not specified.
- Do not leave belongings unattended on the beach.
Airports, metros and trains in Ecuador
Airports with scheduled flights
- ESMCarlos Concha Torres International AirportTachinaMain international airport
- SNCGeneral Ulpiano Paez International AirportSalinas/La LibertadMain international airport
- GYEJosé Joaquín de Olmedo International AirportGuayaquilMain international airport
- UIOMariscal Sucre International AirportQuitoMain international airport
Metro and subway
- QuitoQuito Metro15 stations22.6 kmsince 2023
Trains
- Rail network
- 966 km
People and safety in Ecuador
Religion
Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.
- Christian94%
- No religion6%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal and protected
- Same-sex couples can marry.
- Legal gender change is recognised.
- Laws protect against discrimination.
Women travellers
Ranked #127 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
31% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 156 of 198 countries can visit Ecuador easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required152
- Freedom of movement4
- eVisa24
- Visa required18
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Oceania14 of 14 countries
- Europe45 of 46 countries
- Americas31 of 34 countries
- Asia33 of 50 countries
- Africa33 of 54 countries
Questions
What money should I bring?
Bring United States dollars, especially US$1 and US$5 notes in good condition. Many businesses refuse US$50 and US$100 notes, and change can be hard to find.
Can I buy bus tickets in person?
Yes. Central bus terminals have counters for different bus companies, and advance tickets are usually unnecessary except during busy periods such as holidays.
Can I drink the tap water?
No. Drink bottled or boiled water; bottled water is widely available.
Will I manage without much Spanish?
English is widely spoken in businesses serving higher-end travellers. Ecuadorians are generally tolerant of visitors who try Spanish and make mistakes.
How do I get to the Galapagos Islands?
Fly through mainland Ecuador to Baltra or San Cristobal. There are no international flights directly to the islands.
What cheap local meal can I order?
Ask for an almuerzo at lunch or a merienda at dinner. These usually include soup, a meat main course and dessert for US$1–2.
Do I need to leave a tip?
Bars, restaurants and hotels include a 10% service charge, so an extra tip is not required. Leaving small change for good restaurant service is customary.
Are there inexpensive places to stay?
Yes. Ecuador has many low-cost hostels, and some smaller-town hostels are private homes that welcome travellers.
Could the mountain altitude make me ill?
Yes. High places can cause altitude sickness or breathing difficulties, so adjust slowly and avoid heavy physical effort while doing so.
Is it safe to hike alone?
The source advises against solo hikes because attacks and robberies have occurred on remote routes. Go with a large group.
Reviewed by @snuck