Find a travel partner in Ecuador

Money and staying connected

Ecuador uses the US dollar (adopted in 2000), which makes budgeting simple if you carry USD: bring some smaller bills, as change for large notes can be scarce. Cards are accepted at hotels, better restaurants and Galápagos operators; carry cash for buses, markets, small towns and the field (ATMs in cities and towns dispense dollars; some charge fees). Tipping ~10% in restaurants (sometimes included); tip Galápagos guides and crew. SIMs (Claro, Movistar, CNT) are cheap with decent coverage in populated areas, patchy in the Amazon and remote Andes. Wi-Fi is common in accommodation. Spanish is the language (Kichwa also in the highlands); English is limited outside tourism, so some Spanish helps. Most nationalities get visa-free entry for 90 days. Note the Galápagos has separate entry fees (a transit control card and a national park fee, paid on arrival).

Culture and etiquette

Ecuadorians are warm, polite and family-oriented, with strong indigenous traditions woven through highland life: a courteous, patient, respectful manner is appreciated, and greetings (a handshake, or a cheek kiss among friends) matter. Dress is casual but Ecuadorians tend to dress neatly; cover up modestly when visiting churches and in indigenous communities or markets, and dress warmly for the highland chill rather than touristy shorts. In indigenous markets (Otavalo) and communities, ask before photographing people, and bargain gently and respectfully. Use "usted" (formal "you") with elders and strangers. Punctuality is relaxed socially. Some Spanish is genuinely helpful and warmly received. In the Galápagos, follow the strict national-park rules absolutely (stay on trails, keep distance from wildlife, don't touch or feed animals): it's what protects the place. Useful phrases: "Hola / Buenos días" (hi/good morning), "Gracias" (thank you), "Por favor" (please), "¿Cuánto cuesta?" (how much?), "Buen provecho" (enjoy your meal).

Health and safety

Ecuador is a rewarding and largely welcoming destination, but its security situation has deteriorated in some areas in recent years (linked to drug-trafficking violence, particularly in parts of the coast and cities like Guayaquil and some border zones), so checking your government's current advisory is genuinely important and travel patterns have shifted. The classic tourist routes: Quito's old town (with normal city caution), the Andean highlands (Cotopaxi, Baños, Quilotoa, Cuenca), and the Galápagos, are generally fine and heavily traveled; some coastal and border areas warrant more care or avoidance. In cities, use standard precautions: don't flash valuables, use ride-hailing/registered taxis at night, watch for pickpockets, and avoid risky neighborhoods. Practical health: altitude is real in Quito (2,850m) and higher: acclimatize; drink bottled/filtered water; take Amazon malaria/yellow-fever precautions; respect strong Pacific currents. Medical care is decent in cities. Travel informed and the highlights remain wonderful.

General guidance, not medical or security advice. Check your government's travel advice and a travel clinic before you book.