Immerse yourself in the charms of Ecuador, a country where the Andes Mountains run from north to south and the equatorial sun, warm breezes and stunning natural landscapes combine to create an enchanting journey.
Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the ice-capped Mount Cotopaxi as a backdrop, and a leisurely stroll through the Old Town can make you feel like you’re frozen in medieval times.
1. Ecuador Quick Facts
Language Spanish
Religion Catholic
Currency US Dollar (USD, $)
Visa Visa-free for 90 days.
Before entering the country, you must submit a criminal record certificate from your country of residence (home country or country of last 5 years).
Power Plugs 120 V 60 Hz (A/B Type)
Capital Quito
ATM Different ATMs charge different fees. Banco Guayaquil charges $1.50, while all other banks charge between $4 and $4.65.
Use card It’s hard to find places that accept cards.
APP
Google Maps
Quito Metro
Uber
Cabify
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to the Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around
3. Transportation
Bus
Quito’s main form of public transport is the bus, which costs 25 cents to travel within the city limits. However, if you want to travel outside of the city, you’ll have to pay an additional 15 cents, making it 40 cents.
Trolebus (BRT. Bus Rapid Transit)
Called the Trolebus, it costs US$25 and runs from Kido North to Terminal South to Terminal Matte.
Metro
The metro will open in December 2023.
Regular fare: $0.45.
A one-time payment at each metro station, such as at a counter or vending machine, generates a QR code that can be read at access points.
Quito
Called taxis (Uber, Cabify) are convenient and relatively safe. However, if you don’t have an authorization number, it is not recommended to use them as they are illegal taxis.
The metered system is based on distance and time, and late-night surcharges are not applied by the meter, so it is necessary to negotiate the price before getting in. Fares within the city range from $2 to $5
4.Safety
Avoid walking in dangerous areas late at night, and consider keeping your ID and valuables in your hotel room or safe. When travelling, wear your backpack in front of you and be aware of your belongings. You should also approach locals in a friendly manner but avoid getting too close, and be careful not to accept candy or flyers from unknown people.
Quito’s Old Town, Plaza de la Mariscal, and areas near large shopping malls.
*Extreme caution when travelling in Guayaquil, Manta, Esmeraldas, Carchi, Sucumbios, and along the Ecuador-Colombia border.
There is a high incidence of pickpocketing and robbery near major tourist attractions and shopping centres; avoid travelling at night, and be careful not to carry expensive belongings
When travelling on buses, be aware of pickpockets, especially during peak hours, and keep your belongings close to you.
5. Climate
Ecuador’s equatorial location means that the country experiences spring and autumn-like weather year-round. The city’s climate is subtropical highland, a type of temperate climate rather than a tropical climate, with very little daylight hours and average minimum and average maximum temperatures each month. The climate varies greatly with altitude, with 21 climate zones generally recognised. November to March is the rainy season.
Average annual temperature
Coastal 25°C (77°F)-31°C (88°F)
Mountainous 13°C (55°F) – 18°C (64°F)
Jungle 23°C (73°F)-32°C (90°F)
Average annual rainfall
Coastal 250-3,000 mm
Mountains 700 to 1,500 mm
Rainforest 3,000 to 4,000 mm
6. price
Cheap.
Petrol (1 litre) 0.69 USD
McDonald’s Combo Meal:7.00 USD
Water (1.5 litres): 1.00 USD
Milk (1 litre) 1.00 USD
7. Travel precautions
Quito is an alpine city and travellers should be prepared for altitude sickness.
Avoid dangerous areas late at night
Leave identification and valuables in your hotel room or in a safe deposit box, wear your backpack in front of you when walking, and be especially careful with cameras.
Contact authorised agencies or information centres for travel information and be wary of anyone who approaches you in an overly friendly manner.
Do not accept candy or flyers from strangers when travelling by bus (these may contain drugs or other hallucinogenic substances)
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
Un Beso (cheek kiss) is a common greeting in Ecuador between men and women
Tipping
A 10% service charge is expected in most restaurants, but it is customary to expect a small tip (1-2 USD) on top of that
10. Holidays
The following are the national public holidays for 2024:
1 Jan Mon New Year’s Day
12 Feb Mon Carnival
13 Feb Tue Carnival
29 Mar Fri Good Friday
3 May Fri Labour Day Holiday
24 May Fri Battle of Pichincha Holiday
9 Aug Fri National Day Holiday
11 Oct Fri Independence of Guayaquil Holiday
1 Nov Fri All Souls’ Day Holiday
4 Nov Mon Independence of Cuenca Holiday
25 Dec Wed Christmas Day
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday, 1 January : New Year’s Day
Monday, 3 March : Carnival
Tuesday, 4 March : Carnival
Friday, 18 April : Good Friday
Friday, 2 May : Labour Day Holiday
Friday, 23 May : Battle of Pichincha Holiday
Sunday, 10 August : National Day
Monday, 11 August : National Day Holiday
Friday, 10 October : Independence of Guayaquil
Sunday, 2 November : All Souls’ Day
Monday, 3 November : Independence of Cuenca
Tuesday, 4 November : All Souls’ Day Holiday
Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day