Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about the things you need to know before your trip to Ecuador. Ecuador is a great place to visit; it’s super affordable, the locals are friendly, and there’s a ton of diversity in the landscapes and wildlife. Today we’re sharing some of our best Ecuador tourism tips with you.
Best Places to Visit in Ecuador
Besides, the Galapagos Islands, what else is there do to in Ecuador? The Ecuador mainland is split into three regions:
- Oriente is the inland region along the Amazon rainforest
- The Andes Mountains are where you’ll find cities like Quito and Cuenca
- The Coastal region has the beaches of Ecuador
No matter what you want to do in Ecuador, there’s a region for it.
Ecuador Currency
Conveniently, Ecuador uses the U.S. Dollar. So, you can bring cash and spend it here. You don’t have to worry about exchanging money. It’s a good idea to have lots of small bills, as you won’t see anything larger than a $20 bill. It always helps to have crisp bills as well, so we go to the bank before a trip and get crisp, small bills. When you do get change, you might get a few Ecuadorian coins. Paying with a credit card is not always possible, especially in smaller towns. Likewise, it’s not always easy to find an ATM.
Getting Around Ecuador
It’s pretty easy to get around Ecuador so you can visit multiple regions in one trip. Most travelers will take the bus in Ecuador, but there are also some flights within Ecuador you can take. Flying around Ecuador is pretty affordable. It’s only about 30-minutes to fly from Quito to Cuenca, versus 7 hours to drive yourself, or even longer by the bus. Because of the topography, overland travel in Ecuador can take a really long time.
US State Department International Travel Page on Ecuador: CLICK HERE
Ecuador Accommodations
As we mentioned, you can get a really nice hotel or hacienda in Ecuador for a great price. You can expect all of the usual hotel amenities, especially in the larger cities. You’ll usually be provided with a lot of bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Hotels will also call a taxi for you to get around; make sure you grab a card from the hotel so you take a taxi back to the hotel. We highly recommend staying in a hacienda; even though they are usually on the outskirts of town, they are really a great place to stay.
Food in Ecuador
Ecuadorian cuisine has a lot of bananas, potatoes, and corn. You will see these often, as a side dish or an ingredient. You might also see popcorn as a side dish! Empanadas are a great street food to eat in Ecuador. They also eat a lot of soups and stews. Of course, you will see cuy, especially in more rural areas. Cuy is guinea pig, and they roast them on a spit, often out front of the restaurant. As you move closer to the coast, you’ll have more seafood and fish. There are also local beers and liqueurs you can try in each region.
People in Ecuador
The people in Ecuador are super friendly! However, you won’t run into a lot of English speakers outside of the Ecuador tourism industry. It definitely helps to know a little bit of Spanish when you visit Ecuador. If you’re hiring a guide in Ecuador, you can easily find one that speaks English, but if you’re traveling on your own, you may want to brush up on Spanish just a bit.
Is Ecuador Safe?
This was probably the top question we got when planning our Ecuador vacation. We felt very safe in Ecuador, even with our kids in tow. We talked to a lot of guides and locals, and people all agreed that Ecuador is a safe family travel destination. Keep your usual “travel smarts” about you: don’t leave valuables in your car, keep an eye on your luggage when traveling by bus, etc.
Watch Out for Altitude Sickness & Sun Stroke
Many parts of Ecuador are at a high elevation; the capital city of Quito is over 9,000 feet above sea level. Be prepared for altitude sickness and plan your Ecuador itinerary accordingly; save the strenuous activity for a few days into your trip when you’re better acclimated. You’re basically on the equator, so the sun is super strong. Make sure you have lots of sunscreen and you reapply frequently.
Don’t Drink the Tap Water
The tap water in Ecuador is not safe to drink. Most hotels will have plenty of bottled water or refillable water jugs you can use. You might even consider brushing your teeth with bottled water, as even that can make you sick.
Pay Attention in Traffic
I don’t recommend driving in Ecuador, but even walking around as a pedestrian can be a bit dangerous. Don’t assume any cars will stop for you and always pay attention when crossing through traffic.
Ecuador Prices
Ecuador is very affordable, so those U.S. Dollars will go a long way! You can get a good lunch for $3. We stayed in really nice hotels for around $60-80 per night. If you want to really save money, there are lots of hostels in Ecuador for under $10 per night. Ecuador is a great budget-friendly destination.
Galapagos Prices
Like we said, Ecuador is very affordable…except for the Galapagos Islands. If you want to visit the Galapagos, be prepared to spend thousands of dollars per person. The most popular way to visit the Galapagos is to take a cruise. You can also do a land-based tour to save a little bit of money, but it’s still going to be way more expensive than the Ecuador mainland. That said, you get what you pay for. Look at it as a once-in-a-lifetime trip and splurge; don’t try to cut corners to save a few bucks.
Ecuador Plugs
Fortunately, the electrical plugs in Ecuador are also the same as the U.S. You won’t always see that third prong on the bottom, but most of your chargers and cords will work in the outlets in Ecuador. The voltage is 110, so it takes things a little bit longer to charge, but we were able to plug all of our electronics directly into the wall.
Internet in Ecuador
Yes, they do have internet in Ecuador. WiFi is readily available in most places to visit in Ecuador. We even had 4G connectivity around the country. Depending on where you stay in Ecuador, you might not have WiFi in every room; you may have to go to the common areas to access the internet. The more rural areas may have slower internet, but you’ll be able to check your email if you need to.
Toilets in Ecuador
The toilets in Ecuador are usually the normal toilets (not a hole in the ground) but the plumbing can’t handle anything except human waste. Even toilet paper cannot be flushed down the toilets; there will be a little wastebasket next to the toilet for anything you need to throw out. These get changed often, so it’s not as gross as it sounds. You may see signs in newer places like the new airport that tell you it’s OK to flush your TP. If you don’t see a sign, don’t do it!
Shocks of Traveling to Ecuador
Weather in Ecuador
With so many regions, Ecuador weather is not the same across the country. It can be cool and rainy in the rainforest and the mountains, while the coast and the Galapagos Islands get very hot and sunny. Be sure to pack layers and dress appropriately for the area of Ecuador that you are going to visit.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
We loved our trip to Ecuador; it’s such a diverse, amazing country with friendly people and fantastic scenery. We definitely plan to return for a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Looking for more South America travel tips? Check out these other blog posts: