Practical Information for visiting Ecuador

Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency, adopted in 2000, which removes exchange-rate worry for many visitors. Ecuador mints its own coins alongside American ones.

Carry small denominations — breaking a twenty can be genuinely difficult, and notes larger than that are often refused outright.

Cards work in cities and better hotels; markets, buses and small towns are cash. Tipping is modest: service is often added in restaurants, and a dollar or two elsewhere is generous.

Coverage for mobile networks is reasonable in the highlands and on the coast, limited in the Amazon and variable in the Galápagos, where connections are slow and expensive.

Local SIMs are cheap; eSIMs are simpler. Wi-fi is standard in accommodation on the mainland.

Buses are the backbone of travel, frequent and inexpensive, and the country is small enough that most journeys are manageable. Flights are needed only for the Galápagos and the Amazon.

Ecuador's security situation has shifted meaningfully in recent years, with organized-crime-related violence rising in some coastal cities and port areas -- checking current government travel advisories before finalizing an itinerary is genuinely worthwhile here, more so than it was a decade ago.

• Guayaquil and some other coastal port cities have seen a significant rise in crime linked to drug trafficking routes -- exercise real caution, stick to well-touristed areas, and avoid displaying valuables; Quito and the Galápagos have not seen the same trend and remain comparatively calm.
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• Petty theft and bag-slashing are the more routine risk for typical tourists in Quito's Old Town and on public transit -- keep bags zipped and worn in front in crowded areas.
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• Altitude sickness is a genuine, common issue for visitors arriving in Quito (2,850m) from sea level -- take it easy for the first day or two, stay hydrated, and treat symptoms (headache, nausea, breathlessness) seriously.
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• Volcanic and seismic activity is a real, ongoing consideration -- Ecuador has several active volcanoes (Cotopaxi, Tungurahua) and sits in a seismically active zone; follow official closures and alerts without exception.
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• The Galápagos require all visitors to travel with a licensed guide for most activities, which also functions as a genuine safety measure in addition to conservation -- follow your guide's instructions closely, particularly around water activities and wildlife.
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• Emergency number: 911 works nationwide.

Altitude is the first consideration. Quito is at 2,850 metres and many highland destinations are higher. Arrive, rest, drink water and skip alcohol on the first day; coca tea is available and legal.

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for the Amazon and required by some countries afterwards; hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly advised. Malaria risk is limited to lowland areas.

Do not drink tap water. Medical care is good in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca and limited elsewhere; the Galápagos have basic facilities only, and serious cases are flown to the mainland.

Equatorial sun at altitude is fierce even when the air is cool.

In the Galápagos, national park rules are strict and enforced: stay on marked trails, keep two metres from wildlife, do not touch or feed anything, and travel with a licensed guide where required. Biosecurity checks apply between islands.

Ask before photographing people, particularly in Indigenous communities, where it may be declined.

Dress modestly in churches and in highland villages. Drug offences carry severe penalties.

Petty theft is the common crime; keep valuables out of sight and use registered taxis or apps rather than hailing.

911 is the national emergency number, reaching police, fire and ambulance.

English-speaking operators are not guaranteed. Private clinics in the main cities are the practical route for medical emergencies and your insurer will usually name one.

Volcanic and seismic activity is monitored by the national geophysical institute, and warnings are issued locally; follow evacuation instructions without debate if they come.

In the Galápagos and the Amazon, evacuation to the mainland is the realistic response to anything serious, which is why insurance covering it matters.