Ecuador essential info
It's South America in a bite-sized package – Ecuador has the wildlife, the mountains, the rainforest and even the Inca heritage, all in easy reach
Travel in Ecuador: vital statistics
Capital of Ecuador: Quito
Population of Ecuador: 14 million
Languages in Ecuador: Spanish, Quichua
Time in Ecuador: GMT-5
International dialling code in Ecuador: +593
Voltage in Ecuador: 110V, 60Hz AC
Visas for Ecuador: Ecuador visas
Money in Ecuador: US dollar. Getting change can be a problem, so ask for smaller bills when changing money. ATMs are relatively commonplace. Tipping is greatly appreciated, especially by tour guides.
Ecuador travel advice: Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Ecuador tourist information: Ecuador Tourist Board
When to go to Ecuador
Ecuador has several climatic zones, meaning it’s always the right time to be somewhere in the country. Ecuador’s capital Quito and the highlands have spring-like weather year round: warm days and cold nights, generally cooler and wetter from September to April. The Ecuadorian Amazon (or ‘Oriente’) is wet year round, though driest from December to March. The Ecuadorian coast is wet January-May and dry (but more overcast) June-December. The mountainous middle of Ecuador is driest June-September. The Galápagos Islands offer great wildlife-watching all year, though seas are choppier July-October. Semana Santa is enthusiastically celebrated at Easter throughout Ecuador.
Ecuador international airports
Mariscal Sucre International (UIO) 10km from Quito; José Joaquín de Olmedo International (GYE) 5km from Guayaquil
Getting around in Ecuador
Bus is one of the easiest ways to travel: these are cheap, frequent and serve most areas of Ecuador. Hiring a car is best if time is limited; all major rental agencies are represented in the big Ecuadorian cities. Train travel is an interesting sightseeing option: the Devil’s Nose is a hair-raising ride from Riobamba to Alausí along a series of gravity-defying switchbacks. Internal flights within Ecuador are useful for accessing remote lodges deep in the Amazon.
Ecuador accommodation
Accommodation in Ecuador comes in all shapes and sizes, and is generally very good value – especially the mid-range small hotels. Most interesting are Ecuador’s converted
haciendas, family ranches that have been converted to put up the odd traveller; many are extremely characterful and offer activities such as horse-riding and country walking. Ecuador also has many homestays where you can learn Spanish and get involved in the life of a local family; Otavalo is a good bet for these. There are some incredible Amazon rainforest lodges buried deep in the Ecuadorian Oriente, accessible only by boat or small plane. These will give you an immersive Amazon experience; look for places owned by local tribes.
Ecuador food & drink
Ecuador’s soups are excellent. Try
locro de papas, made of potatoes with cheese and avocado.
Llapingachos are tasty potato and cheese cakes; corn dishes, such as
tamaleshumitas and , are also common – and good options for vegetarians travelling in Ecuador. Most meals do contain meat, however. Roast
cuy (guinea pig) is available in some places; roast pig is more popular, presumably because there's a lot more of it. Fresh seafood is widespread on the Ecuadorian coast. If on a budget, look for
almuerzo (set lunches) but don't burp afterwards: it's considered very rude. Ecuadorian fruit juices are very good, and include
moro, made from blackberries. Ecuador's national beer is Pilsener and decent wine is increasingly easy to get.
Health & safety in Ecuador
Opportunistic theft is a risk. In Quito, take taxis at night, especially in La Mariscal area of the New Town. The altitude can take some adjusting to – Quito, entry point for most travellers arriving in Ecuador, is 2,850m. Take things slowly for the first couple of days and drink lots of water. Malaria is a risk, especially along the north coast and in the Ecuadorian Amazon region; seek advice on prophylaxis, take DEET-based insect repellent and cover up.
Further reading on travel in Ecuador
- Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands (Rough Guides, 2010)
- Ecuador and Galapagos (Insight Guides, 2010)
- Ecuador & Galapagos Handbook (Footprint, 2009)
- Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands (Lonely Planet, 2009)