Ecuador | South America

Ecuador is a sovereign state in northwestern South America. Its economy is officially dollarized and heavily reliant on petroleum exports, agriculture (bananas, flowers), and a growing technology sector; the capital is Quito, while Guayaquil is the primary commercial port.

Visa & Entry Policy

As of January 11, 2026, EU, US, and UK passport holders are granted visa-free entry for tourist stays of up to 90 days within a 12-month period.

Requirements: A passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and proof of onward or return travel.

Land Borders: Travelers entering via land from Peru or Colombia must present an apostilled criminal record certificate (translated into Spanish) from their country of residence for the last five years. This requirement does not apply to air arrivals.

Galápagos Islands: Entry requires a Transit Control Card ($20 USD) purchased at the departure airport and a mandatory National Park entrance fee ($200 USD for adults as of 2026, payable in cash). Travel health insurance is mandatory for the archipelago.

Customs: A digital customs declaration (QR code) must be completed via the SENAE portal at least three days prior to arrival.

Language & Communication

Spanish is the official language. Kichwa and Shuar are official languages of intercultural relation. English proficiency is moderate in Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca's tourism hubs but low in rural highland and Amazonian regions.

Currency & Payment Systems

Ecuador uses the US Dollar (USD) as its official currency.

Electronic Invoicing: As of January 1, 2026, real-time transmission of all electronic vouchers to the SRI (Internal Revenue Service) is mandatory for all taxpayers.

Digital Payments: While the country is heavily dollarized in cash, mobile payments and local digital wallets (like Deuna!) are widely used in urban centers.

Cards: Credit and debit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are standard in major cities. Cash is essential for rural areas, local markets, and public transport.

National Transport Grid

Urban Transit: Quito features the first underground metro system in the country. The Guayaquil Aerovía (cable car) connects the city center with Durán.

Road Infrastructure: Inter-city travel is primarily handled by an extensive bus network. As of 2026, a $2.3 billion infrastructure program is underway, focusing on seven major transport projects, including the Loja-Catamayo highway and upgrades to the Port of Esmeraldas.

Aviation: Mariscal Sucre (UIO) and José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE) are the primary international gateways. Domestic flights link the mainland to the Galápagos (Baltra and San Cristóbal).

Digital Infrastructure

5G Status: State-owned provider CNT launched its 5G network in Quito and Guayaquil in late 2025. Private operators (Claro and Movistar) are deploying 5G throughout 2026.

Connectivity: 4G/LTE coverage is robust in the "Sierra" (highlands) and "Costa" (coast). Fiber-optic broadband is standard in urban residential areas.

Network Sunsets: 2G networks are largely decommissioned; 3G remains as a fallback in remote regions.

Climate & Seasonality

Highlands (Quito/Cuenca): "Eternal Spring" climate. Dry season (June–September); Wet season (October–May).

Coast: Hot and rainy (December–May); Humid and cloudy (June–November).

Amazon: Tropical, hot, and rainy year-round, with slightly less rain in August and December–January.

Health & Safety

As of January 2026, Ecuador is in a State of Internal Armed Conflict.

Safety: A State of Emergency is active in several provinces (including Guayas and Pichincha) to contain organized crime. Travelers must carry ID at all times and expect increased military presence. Avoid all travel to the border with Colombia (except Tulcán) and specific high-risk neighborhoods in Guayaquil (e.g., Durán).

Health: Tap water is not potable; bottled or filtered water is required. Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended for the Amazon basin.

Emergency: All services (Police, Fire, Ambulance) are accessed via 911.

Top 3 Major Regions & Cities

Quito: Historic highland capital and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Cuenca: Cultural hub and major expatriate destination in the Southern Andes.

Galápagos Islands: Volcanic archipelago renowned for unique biodiversity.

Local Cost Index

1L Water: $0.80 USD

1 Domestic Beer (0.5L): $1.50 USD

1 SIM Card (10GB Data): $10.00 USD

Facts & Legends

Ecuador is named after the Equator, which runs through the country; the Mitad del Mundo monument marks the location. Local folklore includes the legend of Cantuña, a builder who allegedly sold his soul to the devil to finish the San Francisco Church in Quito on time (but tricked him by hiding the last stone). Historically, Ecuador was part of the northern Inca Empire before Spanish colonization. Geologically, it contains Mount Chimborazo, the point on Earth's surface closest to the Sun due to the equatorial bulge.