Ecuador

Capital: Quito
Population:  16.39 million
Currency: U.S. dollar (USD)
Languages: Spanish
Drives on the: Right
Time zone: UTC -5

U.S. citizens must have a passport which is valid for at least six months after your return date. U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Ecuador for stays up to 90 days. See the U.S. Dept. of State website for more information.

If you do not hold a U.S. passport, you are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas and meeting all entry requirements. If a visa is required, we recommend using a fee-based visa service, such as our preferred provider VisaHQ.

More information about passports & visas.

There are no official vaccination requirements for entry into Ecuador, however, inoculations against yellow fever, cholera, typhoid, polio, tetanus, and hepatitis and malaria suppressants (for the Galapagos islands) might be recommended. Consult your physician.

Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization

Ecuador's climate is very varied. There is no perfect time to go see it all.

Coast: January to April is the rainy season with the warmest water currents, making it the most popular time to visit for surfers or snorkelers.
Highlands: June-September is the dry season and most popular time to visit.
Oriente: June-September are the wettest months. Lightweight clothing recommended.
Sierras: October-April is the rainy season. Sweaters and jackets are recommended at any time.

Quito is always moderate and the Amazon is always humid. Layers and a waterproof/ breathable jacket are recommended if you will be hiking in the mountains.

Tip 10% of the bill unless a service fee is included, additional small amounts are appreciated. Round up fare for taxi drivers.

Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card abroad.

Shop in Ecuador for genuine Panama hats, pottery, filigree jewelry, wool sweaters, wood carvings, ponchos, and Amerindian weavings and handcrafts.

120/127 volts. Plugs A & B. No converters or adapters needed. view more information about electrical standards around the world.

Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? See our blog posts on using your cell phone abroad and the top 5 ways to get Internet abroad.