Ecuador travel guide
Ecuador is named after the equator that runs through it, and it packs remarkable variety into a compact country: the Galápagos Islands, a chain of snow-capped volcanoes along the Andes, colonial cities such as Quito and Cuenca, and a slice of the Amazon. Distances on the mainland are short enough to see mountains, cloud forest and jungle on one trip. It suits wildlife lovers, hikers and travellers interested in indigenous cultures and markets.
Places worth the trip
Galápagos Islands
Volcanic islands far out in the Pacific, where giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions and blue-footed boobies show little fear of people. Visitors explore by live-aboard cruise or from island bases such as Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal, always following national park rules and guides.
Quito's historic centre
One of the best-preserved colonial centres in Latin America, high in an Andean valley. The gold-covered interior of the Church of La Compañía, the Plaza Grande and the Basilica del Voto Nacional stand out, and the TelefériQo cable car climbs the slopes of Pichincha volcano.
Cotopaxi National Park
Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, rises as a near-perfect snow-capped cone south of Quito. The park has high grasslands, wild horses and a lagoon, with hikes to the refuge below the glacier.
Quilotoa Loop
A multi-day hike or drive through Andean farming villages to Quilotoa, a volcanic crater filled with a lake of green and blue water. Walking down to the shore is easy; the climb back up at altitude is not.
Baños
A town at the foot of Tungurahua volcano, known for hot springs, waterfalls such as the Pailón del Diablo, canyoning and rafting, and a swing at the edge of a ridge facing the volcano.
The Ecuadorian Amazon
Lodges in Yasuní National Park and the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve are reached by motorised canoe. Days involve forest walks, river trips, parrot clay licks and the chance to see monkeys, caimans and river dolphins.
Cuenca
A colonial city in the southern Andes with blue-domed cathedrals, flower markets and riverside paths. It is a centre for making Panama hats, and the high lakes of Cajas National Park are close by.
Otavalo market
One of South America's best-known markets, north of Quito, where Otavalo Kichwa traders sell textiles, ponchos and crafts, with the largest market on Saturdays.
Interesting facts about Ecuador
- Because of the Earth's bulge at the equator, the summit of Chimborazo in Ecuador is the point on the Earth's surface farthest from its centre.
- Ecuador adopted the US dollar as its official currency in 2000.
- The so-called Panama hat originated in Ecuador, where toquilla straw hats are still woven by hand.
- Quito's historic centre and the Galápagos Islands were among the very first sites inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, in 1978.
- Ecuador's 2008 constitution was one of the first in the world to recognise legal rights for nature.
Best time to visit Ecuador
Ecuador can be visited year-round, but conditions vary by region. In the Andes, including Quito, June to September is usually drier and sunnier, which is the best time for hikes and volcano views. The Amazon is wet all year, with slightly drier spells. On the Galápagos, December to May is warmer with calmer seas and occasional showers, while June to November is cooler, drier and better for marine life. The coast is hottest and wettest from January to April.
Getting around
Buses connect almost every town on the mainland cheaply and frequently, although mountain roads are slow and winding. Domestic flights link Quito and Guayaquil with Cuenca, the Amazon gateway towns and the Galápagos, which can only be reached by air from Quito or Guayaquil. Quito has a metro line and plentiful taxis; use ride-hailing apps or official taxis, especially at night. Inter-island boats and flights connect the main Galápagos islands.
Practical details
- Capital
- Quito
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Languages
- Spanish, Kichwa and Shuar (official in their communities)
- Plug types
- A, B
- Voltage
- 120 V, 60 Hz
- Emergency
- 911 for all emergencies
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Many restaurants include a service charge in the bill. Leaving a little extra for good service, and tipping guides and drivers, is customary.
Staying online in Ecuador
Mobile coverage is good in Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca and other cities and along the main roads of the Andes. It becomes patchy in the high mountains, the cloud forest and the Amazon, where many lodges have no signal and only limited Wi-Fi. On the Galápagos, there is coverage in the main towns, but connections are slower and there is little signal at sea. Download offline maps before trekking, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Ecuador eSIM plans
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Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Ecuador
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1GB eSIM Data for 7 Days for Ecuador
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2GB eSIM Data for 15 Days for Ecuador
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Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Ecuador
Useful apps
- Uber: Ride-hailing in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca.
- DiDi: Another popular ride-hailing app in Ecuador's larger cities.
- Google Maps: Directions in cities and offline maps for the Andes and the Quilotoa Loop.
- Google Translate: English is limited outside tourist areas, so download Spanish offline.
Ecuador travel FAQs
Not if you have US dollars, which is the national currency. Small notes are useful, as large bills can be hard to change. Cards are accepted in cities but less often in rural areas.
Quito sits at around 2,850 metres, and some visitors feel breathless or get headaches. Take the first day easy, drink plenty of water and avoid heavy exercise until you adjust.
Yes. Coverage is good in cities and along main roads, but patchy in the Amazon, the high Andes and around the Galápagos. A travel eSIM gives you local data while your home number stays active.
Cruises reach more remote islands and wildlife sites, while land-based trips from Santa Cruz or San Cristóbal are more flexible and suit those prone to seasickness. Both require national park guides for most sites.