The Latin America Travel Company

ECUADOR | TRAVEL ADVICE

How to get to Ecuador & other Travel Advice

For travellers from the UK there are no direct flights to Ecuador. The best way is on either Iberia via Madrid or KLM via Amsterdam. KLM also serves many regional airports in the UK. Flights depart and arrive the same day. There is also a good Ecuador vacation flight option on Avianca via Bogota, which departs London in the evening and is an overnight flight.
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What is the Voltage in Ecuador?

In Ecuador the standard voltage is 120V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. This is typically the same as the US, so US travellers do not usually require a converter or adaptor. The standard voltage in the UK is 230V which means you may require a voltage adaptor for some devices. Nowadays most devices such as mobile phone chargers, USB chargers and laptop chargers are multi voltage which means they will switch automatically to the network voltage. However, some high power devices such as hair dryers don’t usually handle different voltages. Always check the label to see what voltage range the device works within. If you try to use a device with the wrong voltage it will most likely break.
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What Plugs & Sockets are used in Ecuador?

Ecuador uses plug and socket types A and B as pictured below. Most universal adaptors will cover both types.
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Plug Types in Ecuador

What is the Capital City of Ecuador?

Quito has been the capital and largest city of Ecuador since 16th century. It was built upon the ruins of an Inca town. Despite the earthquake of 1917, the city still has the most preserved and least altered historical centre in Latin America.

What Time Zone is Ecuador in?

Ecuador is GMT -5 hours and note the Galapagos is GMT -6 hours.
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Are Visas Required for Ecuador?

No visas required for visiting Ecuador and the Galapagos as a British national. On arrival you will be granted entry for up to 90 days as a tourist. You may be asked to provide proof of onward or return travel, details of your accommodation and proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay. Your passport needs to be valid for 6 months from your date of arrival in Ecuador.
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What Currency is used in Ecuador?

In Ecuador the currency is the US dollar. You may come across some 5 cent, 10 cent, 25 cent and 50 cent coins that are Ecuadorian minted, but these can be used in parallel with the US equivalents.

How to Change money in Ecuador

Euros can usually be exchanged at some places, but it is more difficult to exchange British pounds. We advise you to obtain US dollars before your trip or draw out of an ATM when in Ecuador.

Is best to use cards or cash in Ecuador?

We would suggest a mixture of credit / debit cards and cash is best to take with you. Credit and debit cards are accepted at most hotels, higher end shops and restaurants. Smaller artisan shops, kiosks, markets and restaurants in more remote areas will likely only accept cash, so make sure you have some with you as a back up.

Is it best to bring small dollar bill denominations to Ecuador?

When you draw money out of an ATM in Ecuador it will usually dispense $20 dollar bills. Getting change in Ecuador can be somewhat difficult and $50 dollar bills will likely not be accepted in most places. We advise you to take a substantial amount of $10, $5 and $1 dollar bills with you. This will come in useful for tips, taxi rides, visiting a market and making smaller purchases.
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Do I need Vaccinations to Visit Ecuador?

You should confirm with your doctor that all courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life. For Ecuador the course or booster that is usually advised is Hepatitis A. Other vaccines to be considered are Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow Fever.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required for entry into Ecuador unless you are entering Ecuador from a country where there is a risk of yellow fever. A yellow fever vaccination is only advised for those visiting the Amazon region of Ecuador. If your itinerary is limited to Quito, Guayaquil and the Galapagos, then the yellow fever vaccination is not usually advised. Please check with your doctor according to your own personal medical history.

Malaria is categorised as low to no risk throughout the country and antimalarial medication is not usually advised.

Mosquitoes are only really found in the Amazon region and are not normally found at higher altitudes. When visiting the Amazon we recommend protecting against insect and mosquito bites as much as possible. Wearing lightweight long pants, long sleeved shirts and using insect repellents with high concentrations of DEET are all recommended.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is purely for guidance purposes and we are not medical experts. We always recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor 6-8 weeks before departure who will be able to properly assess your personal medical history, give accurate advice and advise on exactly which immunisations or medical precautions you personally need to take.

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