Ecuador
Ecuador packs Andean volcanoes, Amazon rainforest, Pacific beaches and the Galápagos Islands into a country a little larger than the UK, so short journeys cross dramatically different worlds. Quito's colonial centre sits at about 2,850m, and the US dollar as official currency makes budgeting refreshingly simple.
Overview
Ecuador's appeal is compression: from Quito you can reach cloud forest at Mindo in two hours, Cotopaxi's glaciers in about the same, and Amazon lodges by a short flight and a canoe ride. Most first trips start in Quito, head south along the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' to Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños, and continue to colonial Cuenca. The Galápagos, 1,000km offshore, deserve at least a week and are usually added at the start or end via Quito or Guayaquil. The Pacific coast, with its surf towns and humpback whale-watching from June to September, makes a cheaper, warmer finale.
The mainland is excellent value: buses are cheap and frequent, set-lunch almuerzos cost a few dollars, and family-run hostales are comfortable. The Galápagos are another matter, with cruises and park fees that can easily cost more than the rest of the trip. Altitude catches many visitors out in Quito and the highlands, and the weather changes by the hour rather than the season — sun, rain and chill in one afternoon. Ecuador suits active travellers, wildlife enthusiasts and Spanish learners; it surprises people with how much fits into a fortnight, and how different the food is between the coast and the sierra.
Map of Ecuador
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Galápagos Islands
Volcanic islands 1,000km offshore where giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and sea lions show little fear of people. Take a naturalist-led cruise or island-hop between Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela; the snorkelling is superb.
- 2Architecture
Quito's historic centre
Among the first places named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in 1978, Quito's old town packs gilded churches such as La Compañía, the Plaza Grande and San Francisco monastery into steep streets best explored on foot.
- 3Adventure
Cotopaxi National Park
Cotopaxi, one of the world's highest active volcanoes, rises in a near-perfect snow cone to 5,897m. Day trips from Quito or Latacunga hike towards the glacier, mountain-bike down the flanks or ride horses across the páramo; access varies with volcanic activity.
- 4Nature
Quilotoa crater lake
A turquoise lake fills this 3km-wide volcanic crater, its rim at about 3,900m. Walk the rim or down to the shore, or spend three days trekking the Quilotoa Loop between Kichwa villages such as Chugchilán and Isinliví.
- 5Wildlife
Yasuní National Park
One of the most biodiverse places on Earth, this Amazon reserve is reached by flight to Coca and motorised canoe. Lodges on the Napo River offer canopy towers, parrot clay licks, monkeys and night walks with indigenous guides.
Biggest cities
Guayaquil
Ecuador's largest city and main port is hot and businesslike, but the Malecón 2000 riverside, the hillside Las Peñas quarter and iguanas in Parque Seminario fill a day before Galápagos flights.
Quito
Strung along an Andean valley beneath Pichincha volcano, Quito is the natural first stop: acclimatise in its colonial core, ride the TelefériQo cable car and visit the equator monument at Mitad del Mundo.
Cuenca
Ecuador's most handsome city has a UNESCO-listed centre with a blue-domed cathedral, flower market and riverside walks, and is the base for Cajas National Park and Panama-hat workshops.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Ecuador
Best time: Jun–Sep.
Average climate in Quito
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarCarnaval
The days before Lent bring water fights, foam spray and parades across the country; Guaranda, in the central highlands, hosts the most famous celebrations, and Ambato holds a flower-and-fruit festival.
- JunInti Raymi
Kichwa communities around Otavalo and Cotacachi mark the June solstice with days of music, dancing and ritual bathing in rivers and waterfalls; the biggest celebrations fall around 24 June.
- DecAño Viejo
On New Year's Eve, families build life-sized effigies, often of politicians and celebrities, and burn them at midnight to see off the old year; men in drag play the widows.
How much does Ecuador cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Ceviche ecuatoriano
Unlike Peru's version, Ecuadorian ceviche usually features cooked shrimp in a tangy lime-and-tomato broth, served with popcorn, plantain chips or toasted corn on the side.
Encebollado
A coastal fish soup of albacore tuna, yuca and pickled red onion, eaten for breakfast or as a hangover cure with plantain chips and lime.
Locro de papa
A creamy highland soup of potatoes and cheese, topped with avocado and sometimes served with ají chilli sauce — ideal warming food in chilly Quito.
Getting around
Buses go almost everywhere cheaply, from Quito's Quitumbe and Carcelén terminals; coastal and Amazon routes are long but frequent. Domestic flights save time to Cuenca, Coca and the Galápagos, which are reached by air from Quito or Guayaquil. Quito has a metro line, and Uber and DiDi work in the big cities. Hiring a car suits the highlands, but mountain roads demand care.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- AB120V — bring a UK-to-A/B adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +593
- Time zones
- UTC-5, UTC-6 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Many mid-range and upmarket restaurants add a 10% service charge; leave small change on top for good service, and tip Galápagos guides and boat crew at the end.
- Etiquette
- Greet shopkeepers and drivers with 'buenos días' before asking anything. Ask before photographing people at indigenous markets such as Otavalo, and dress modestly in churches.
- Main airports
- Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), Quito; José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE), Guayaquil
Visas & entry for Ecuador
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Ecuador without a visa for up to 90 days in any 12-month period.
If you’re already in Ecuador and want to stay longer than 90 days, you can pay to extend your stay (in Spanish) by an extra 90 days. You must apply for an extension before the first 90-day period ends or you could be fined.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BRabiesTuberculosisTyphoidYellow fever
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK. There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- Low risk of malaria
- On mainland Ecuador, there is a low risk of malaria in areas below 1,500m, including the coastal provinces and Amazon basin: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
- There is no risk of malaria in the Galapagos islands or the city of Guayaquil: bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Ecuador
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Mon 2 Nov 2026 | All Souls' Day |
| Tue 3 Nov 2026 | Independence of Cuenca |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | Carnival |
| Tue 9 Feb 2027 | Carnival |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Fri 30 Apr 2027 | Labour Day (observed) |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 24 May 2027 | The Battle of Pichincha |
| Mon 9 Aug 2027 | Declaration of Independence of Quito (observed) |
| Tue 10 Aug 2027 | Declaration of Independence of Quito |
| Fri 8 Oct 2027 | Independence of Guayaquil (observed) |
| Sat 9 Oct 2027 | Independence of Guayaquil |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Spanish
| English | Spanish | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola | OH-lah |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-see-ahs |
| Please | Por favor | por fah-VOR |
| Excuse me | Disculpe | dees-KOOL-peh |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | KWAN-toh KWES-tah? |
Know before you go
- Quito sits at about 2,850m: take the first day or two gently, drink plenty of water and go easy on alcohol before climbing higher towards Cotopaxi or Quilotoa.
- Ecuador uses the US dollar, but $50 and $100 notes are often refused, so carry plenty of small notes; Ecuadorian-minted centavo coins circulate alongside American ones.
- Budget separately for the Galápagos: you pay for a transit card at the mainland airport and a park entry fee on landing, and good cruises book up months ahead.
Ecuador travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Ecuador?
The best time to visit Ecuador is generally Jun–Sep. Peak months are June, July, August and September. Average highs in Quito range from 19°C to 20°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Ecuador cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £70 mid-range and £160+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Ecuador?
US dollar (USD).
What plug type does Ecuador use?
Type A and B sockets at 120V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Ecuador?
Traffic drives on the right in Ecuador, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Ecuador?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Ecuador?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Ecuador without a visa for up to 90 days in any 12-month period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Ecuador before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ecuador/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Ecuador?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A and Tetanus for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
