🇪🇨 Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands, Andean volcanoes, and Amazon rainforest.
Ecuador has used the US dollar as its official currency since 2000, and packs Andean volcanoes, Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands into a country about the size of the United Kingdom.
Best Time to Visit
The Andean highlands, including Quito, have a fairly stable climate year-round; June to September is generally drier for the Galapagos and the coast.
Weather & Climate
Climate depends heavily on region and altitude: temperate in the Andes, tropical in the Amazon and coast, and mild and dry in the Galapagos.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Top Cities
Popular Destinations
Entry & Visa Guidance
Many nationalities can enter visa-free for tourism. Confirm current requirements with Ecuadorian immigration before booking.
Getting There & Around
Domestic flights connect Quito to Guayaquil and the Galapagos; the Andean highlands are also covered by an extensive, inexpensive bus network.
Approximate Travel Budget
Mainland Ecuador is affordable for food, transport and accommodation; a Galapagos visit adds a significant cost, largely for park fees and boat travel.
Local Customs & Culture
Indigenous Andean and Amazonian cultures remain a visible part of daily life in many regions, particularly around markets like Otavalo.
Food
Ceviche, locro de papa (a potato and cheese soup) and roasted guinea pig (cuy) in some highland regions reflect Ecuador's coastal and Andean traditions.
Safety & Travel Advice
Check your government's current travel advisory, which can vary between Quito, Guayaquil and rural regions.
Plan your trip to Ecuador
Free tools for flight times, time differences, budget, money and plugs.
- Flight Duration CalculatorWork out real flight time across time zones.
- Time Zone ConverterFind the time in another city instantly.
- Trip Budget CalculatorEstimate your total trip cost, item by item.
- Currency ConverterConvert prices between currencies at indicative rates.
- Travel Plug & Voltage CheckerCheck if you need a plug adapter or voltage converter.
- Jet Lag CalculatorEstimate how many days you need to beat jet lag.
