Ecuador

Most South American countries have now recognized that tourism plays an important part in their economies and governments have taken great steps to change South America’s poor security image. Violent crime is rare in Ecuador.

To minimise security risks we recommend the following: 

• do not show any outward signs of wealth or wear expensive jewellery
• keep your valuables in your hotel in safety deposit boxes
• keep any valuables that you must carry with you hidden, as pickpockets can be present in crowded areas and around tourist areas
• use only registered taxis with official identification
• avoid going on your own to remote areas where tourists would not be expected to go
• always keep your day pack and camera close to you and never leave them unattended

A pre-arranged visa is not required to enter Ecuador or the Galapagos for the following countries:

• Australia
• United Kingdom
• The United States
• Ireland
• Canada
• New Zealand
• European Union
• South Africa

For other nationalities please visit the website of the relevant consulate.

Due to rules and regulations constantly changing we recommend you visit the relevant country government websites for up to date information on visa and entry requirements. We are constantly updating our Travellers Guides with information, but it is still recommended to double check current advice.

Our Ecuador tours include breakfast daily and many other meals may also be included in your itinerary. As a rough guide for additional spending money based on having moderately-priced lunches and dinners and buying a few souvenirs at local markets, we suggest a budget of 25-30 USD per day per person. 

No specific vaccinations are required for Ecuador travel, unless you are travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever, in which case proof of yellow fever vaccination is required. We do, however, recommend that you visit your doctor or a traveller’s medical centre for current information specific to those places that you will be travelling through. 

As a general guide we recommend the following:

• Hepatitis - Both A and B (twinrix)
• Yellow Fever - Especially for jungle areas
• Typhoid
• Diphtheria
• Cholera
• Rabies (minimal risk)
• Tetanus
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

The unit of currency in Ecuador and on the Galapagos Islands is the United States Dollar (USD).

Please check websites such as www.oanda.com or www.xe.com for up to date exchange rates prior to your departure.

In Ecuador the standard voltage is 120/127V and standard frequency is 60Hz. Power sockets are of types A and B.

Please visit the below link for more information: http://electricaloutlet.org/

 Spanish is the official language of Ecuador but 13 Indigenous languages are spoken, the principal ones being Quichua in the Andes and Amazon and Jivaroan in the Amazon.

Ecuador is in fact one of the best places in Latin America to learn Spanish as Ecuadorian Spanish is spoken slowly and clearly.

The wildlife that you will see will depend on where your Ecuador travel takes you. Ecuador has a vast biodiversity that includes over 300 mammal species, 1,500 bird species and a huge array of reptiles and amphibians. The Galapagos Islands are home to many endemic species of birds and animals found nowhere else in the world and some only found on specific islands. 

The best time to visit Ecuador will depend on the places that you plan to visit and the activities that you plan to include on your Ecuador travel. The highlands are best visited between June and September if your Ecuador tour includes hiking in the Andes; the Amazon is a year-round destination with the wet and dry seasons offering different experiences; the coast is best visited between January and May and the peak season for the Galapagos Islands is December to June.