Planning Your Trip to Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands: A Practical Guide

When to go, which vaccines, which itinerary, what to see: here is our practical guide and travel tips to help you prepare your trip to Ecuador!

At a Glance: Essential Facts Before You Go to Ecuador

• Best time to travel: Ecuador can be visited year-round depending on the regions; the dry season from June to November is generally preferred.
• Entry requirements: Passport valid for the full duration of the stay for EU nationals
• Flight duration: 15 to 20 hours with a stopover
• Time difference: In winter, Ecuador is 6 hours behind the UK; in summer, 6 hours behind. Add a further hour for the Galápagos Islands: –6h from the UK in winter, –7h in summer.
• Languages: The official language is Spanish. Numerous indigenous languages are also spoken.
• Population: 18.19 million (2023)
• Area: 283,561 km²
• Currency: Since 2000, Ecuador’s official currency is the US Dollar (USD). We recommend checking the exchange rate before departure.
• Plug type: Types A and B – an adapter is required.
• Country code: +593

Climate: When to Travel to Ecuador?

Ecuadorian Climate

One reminder before planning your Ecuador trip: in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed compared to Europe. Summer runs from December to February, winter from June to August.

Ecuador, as its name suggests, has an equatorial climate. There are two seasons (the dry season and the rainy season) with variations according to altitude.

The rainy season runs from December to May in the Andean region and from January to April on the coast, with daily rainfall. The dry season, from June to November in the Andes and from May to December on the coast, brings lower humidity and more comfortable temperatures.

In the Andes Cordillera, temperatures are cool year-round, rarely above 18°C. On the Pacific coast, with an average of 20°C, the climate is pleasant throughout the year.

When Is the Best Time to Go to Ecuador?

Ecuador can be visited year-round: it all depends on the regions you plan to explore. The Andes, for instance, can be visited at any time of year.

If you wish to visit the Galápagos Islands, the months of June to December are the most pleasant. July and August are also excellent in terms of weather, though they fall within the high season. For spotting humpback whales, the best window is between June and September.

For deep Amazon exploration (Cuyabeno Reserve and Yasuní National Park), it is best to avoid February and March, when river levels are too low for comfortable navigation.

Planning Your Ecuador Itinerary

Ecuador’s Must-Sees

Nicknamed the “Country of 4 Worlds”, Ecuador is overflowing with wonders to discover on your trip! Between the Amazon, the Avenue of Volcanoes, the Pacific coast and the ‘enchanted islands’, there are as many Ecuador itineraries as there are travellers.

The highlights not to miss in Ecuador:

1. The Galápagos Islands: a true sanctuary of biodiversity, a place unlike anywhere else on Earth!
2. Quito, the Ecuadorian capital: a genuine cultural and historical treasure, with an Old Town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
3. Cotopaxi Volcano, a jewel of the Andes Cordillera with its near-perfect conical shape, reaching 5,897 metres
4. Baños de Agua Santa, at the foot of Tungurahua Volcano, surrounded by lush mountains and spectacular waterfalls
5. The Quilotoa Volcano Lagoon, a brilliant blue crater lake and the starting point for many outstanding hikes

How Long Should You Spend in Ecuador?

The ideal duration of an Ecuador trip depends on your interests, planned activities and mode of transport. Ecuador is a small country that is very easy to get around! As a general rule, we recommend a minimum of 2 weeks to discover the country’s highlights at a comfortable pace.

Here is an example 2-week Ecuador itinerary:

• Days 1–2: Quito
• Day 3: Otavalo and its colourful market
• Days 4–6: Cuyabeno Reserve in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon
• Days 7–8: Cotopaxi and Quilotoa volcanoes
• Days 9–10: Homestay with a Cañari community
• Days 11–14: Puerto López and the Pacific coast

To add a Galápagos Islands extension to your Ecuador circuit, allow an extra week.

What Budget Do You Need for Ecuador?

The budget for an Ecuador trip varies considerably depending on several factors:

• Type of activities: sightseeing, hiking, national parks…
• Format: with or without a guide, private service or small group…
• Mode of transport: bus, domestic flight, private transfer with driver…
• Accommodation: 2/3-star hotel, guesthouse, homestay, eco-lodge…
• Meals: street food, local restaurants, upmarket restaurants…
• Regions visited: the Galápagos Islands are noticeably more expensive than the rest of the country

As a general guide, budget €2,000 to €3,000 for a 2-week Ecuador trip with a mid-to-high-range agency service.

Health and Vaccines in Ecuador

Source: France Diplomatie.

Health Risks in Ecuador

There are very few health risks in Ecuador, with the exception of some mosquito-borne diseases in areas below 1,500 metres altitude (in the Amazon and on the coast). The risk is relatively low, but we still recommend protecting yourself against mosquito bites with repellent and covering clothing.

A further risk concerns digestive issues linked to water consumption and unhygienic food. To protect yourself against traveller’s diarrhoea:

• Wash your hands regularly with an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
• Avoid raw or undercooked food
• Prefer peeled fruit and vegetables. Avoid raw salads
• Drink bottled or previously filtered water. Outside major cities, tap water is often not considered safe to drink
• Avoid ice cubes and ice cream from unknown sources

Altitude sickness can also affect travellers at elevations above 2,500 metres.

Which Vaccines Are Required for Ecuador?

Vaccination against yellow fever is strongly recommended and is required on entry into Ecuador for travellers arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic. It is also advisable to ensure your DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, polio) vaccination is up to date, along with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine for children.

Depending on local conditions and your itinerary, vaccinations against typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B, and bacterial meningitis may also be recommended.

Safety: Is Ecuador a Dangerous Country?

The level of crime has fallen significantly in Ecuador over the past ten years, thanks to CCTV in major cities, increased police presence in tourist areas, and other measures.

That said, it is advisable to avoid walking alone after dark in Quito and Guayaquil, to keep a close eye on your personal belongings, and to use official taxis to get from place to place.

Documents You Need for Ecuador

Do I Need a Visa for Ecuador?

For EU citizens, no visa is required for tourist stays of 90 days or less. However, you must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from Ecuador.

Travel Insurance for Ecuador

We recommend taking out a comprehensive cancellation and multi-risk insurance policy for your Ecuador trip. Although Ecuador is a relatively safe destination, comprehensive cover will protect you against any travel mishap.

All Tierra Latina trips include repatriation insurance, with optional additional and multi-risk cover available.

Packing Your Suitcase for Ecuador

What to pack for Ecuador depends on the season and the regions you plan to visit, given the country’s remarkable diversity of landscapes and climates. Here are the essentials to include:

• Avenue of Volcanoes: a fleece, a lightweight down jacket and a windproof layer
• Pacific Coast: light, thin clothing
• Amazon: loose, light clothing and a waterproof poncho if travelling during the rainy season
• Galápagos Islands: a pair of binoculars for observing the exceptional wildlife!
• A swimsuit and a microfibre towel
• A good pair of trainers and sandals
• A filter water bottle
• A universal electrical plug adapter
• Sunglasses, a hat and sun cream
• Solid toiletries (soap, shampoo…) to reduce plastic waste
• Insect repellent
• A small first-aid kit

Culture: Films and Books Before You Go to Ecuador

Documentaries and Films to Watch Before Travelling to Ecuador

• Ecuador: At the Summit of Biodiversity, Arte (in 2 parts)
• Trains of a Different Kind: Ecuador, France TV
• The Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de motocicleta) by Walter Salles, available on VOD

Books to Read Before Travelling to Ecuador

• The Old Man Who Read Love Stories by Luis Sepúlveda: a novel set in the Ecuadorian Amazon, exploring the relationships between local communities and their environment
• Huasipungo by Jorge Icaza: a landmark Ecuadorian novel depicting the struggle of Andean indigenous peoples in the face of forced modernisation
• The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin: the famous naturalist’s logbook, including his visit to the Galápagos and the observations that shaped his theory of evolution

What to Eat in Ecuador?

Ecuador offers a rich and varied cuisine, shaped by its different regions: the Andes, the Amazon and the Pacific coast. Specialities not to miss during your stay:

• Ceviche; an absolute must: on the coast it is typically made with prawns marinated in lime juice; in the Andes, with trout
• Patacones; twice-fried green plantain slices, served as a side dish with guacamole or cheese
• Encocado de Camarones, a prawn stew cooked in a sauce of coconut milk, tomatoes and spices, usually served with rice
• Locro de Papa, a creamy potato soup, often garnished with avocado and cheese
• Maito de Pescado, an Amazonian dish in which fish is wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over an open fire, typically served with yucca and rice.