17 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Ecuador
Are you planning your trip to Ecuador? You should then know where to go and what to pack, and also a few small details that might make your travel adventure better. Here's our list of 17 things you need to know before visiting Ecuador.
When we recollect our memories from traveling around South America, we can't help feeling that even though Ecuador is one of the most diverse countries on the continent, it is also often one of the most underrated ones.
As we were backpacking across several countries and Ecuador was on the way between Colombia and Peru, it did not cross our minds, even once we would have skipped this destination.
On the other hand, still not that many international travelers plan their trip entirely around Ecuador.
Sure, nowadays, many visit the Galapagos Islands, but after this trip, they usually fly to Cusco in Peru to admire Machu Picchu or the Amazon.
But believe us, Ecuador is a captivating country that has so much to offer. If you've just started planning your trip to Ecuador, or you're only looking for inspiration, feel free to check out our posts in our Ecuador section on our travel blog.
Hopefully, these posts will ignite your wanderlust. Once you enthuse yourself for traveling to Ecuador, here comes another stage. Get to know what you can expect in a country like Ecuador as it is quite a specific destination.
After several years we've been on and off on the road, we are convinced that being well-informed, even about the minor details, helps travelers enjoy the destination better.
This is why we've created this travel guide on the 17 things you need to know before visiting Ecuador.
We share these travel tips from our personal experience. Some of them are pretty obvious (now after the visit), some of them fall in the category 'had we known that we would have done that'.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING ECUADOR
To be honest, we love reading tips on making our travels in a foreign destination as smooth as possible, but what we like even more is writing down experiences we've gained after the trip itself. It just feels great.
We spent in Ecuador over a month, and even though it was challenging at times, we would have returned in a heartbeat.
So without any further ado, here's everything a traveler should know before visiting Ecuador, one of South America's smallest countries.
#1 BORDER CROSSING TO OR FROM COLOMBIA CAN TAKE TIME
The chances are that Ecuador is not the only country you would like to visit on this particular trip. We were actually quite surprised by the number of backpackers in South America who traveled from one country to another within a span of a few months.
That's why, in case you plan on crossing borders from Colombia to Ecuador or vice versa, you might find this tip helpful. Because of Venezuela's recent crises, an insane number of Venezuelans have decided to flee the country.
Their usual first stop is Colombia, but not all of them stay there, and they continue down south.
For travelers, it means one thing. Border crossing can take a while. You might get lucky, like us, and experience an absolutely smooth procedure, but we cannot promise anything.
Follow our guide on crossing borders from Colombia to Ecuador via Rumichaca Bridge, but do not plan any other activity for this day, just in case you get stuck at the border for some time.
#2 TAXI SITUATION
Ecuador, as a country, is working hard to be seen as a safe place. We all know that - the worse the safety situation is, the fewer visitors arrive, the less money local people earn. We think everyone knows this principle.
Until recently, the biggest problem was probably the reputation of taxi drivers and safety of travelers who wanted to use this kind of service to get around.
When we crossed borders, together with a new passport stamp, we were handed out a pamphlet with a few tips on recognizing a trustworthy taxi driver.
According to it, all taxi drivers in Ecuador should have an orange license plate, a panic button inside the car, and even a camera.
Moreover, all of them should use taximeter.
Well, these things usually sound good on paper, but to be honest, had we followed all of the rules strictly, we would have never gotten to Cuicocha Lagoon from Otavalo because none of the cars waiting for tourists matched all the requirements.
Simply put, always use your common sense - we were more relaxed about the rules in the countryside than we would have been in the capital city Quito, which has a bit dodgy reputation.
#3 ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Ecuador has it all for outdoor lovers. Both sea and high mountains. But if there's one thing you should definitely know is, that you can experience altitude sickness.
In case you land in Quito, you'll immediately be 2850 meters above sea level. If you plan a multi-day Quilotoa Loop Trek, it is good to know that the Quilotoa Lagoon itself lies in suffocating 4000 meters.
We also biked down from Chimborazo back to Riobamba from almost 5000 meters.
Simply put, the altitude can affect your visit, especially if you plan on visiting several destinations with different elevations.
As we trekked the Annapurna Circuit years ago, we knew a bit what to expect, but still, getting back from the Galapagos Islands to Quito was quite a shock for our bodies. Though it shouldn't be such a big deal as landing in La Paz, for instance.
How can you avoid altitude sickness? Acclimatization is the key.
We recommend spending a few days in Quito to adjust your bodies; take it easy, moreover, stay hydrated, this simple trick also helps.
#4 VACCINATION
Before every trip, you should check up to date information regarding compulsory vaccination. We could read that it is obligatory to get a yellow fever vaccination for all South American countries.
Still, the truth is that no one has ever wanted to see our card, except before the bumpy flight from Brazil to Panama.
On the other hand, we always follow the written rules, and if we were you, we would have opted for a yellow fever vaccination. Also, in case you plan on visiting Amazon in Ecuador, learn more about antimalarial pills.
When we talk about your health, make sure you have good travel insurance covering all the activities you plan on doing.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
#5 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Yes, Ecuador is home to the famous Galapagos Islands.
For many, it is the only reason to visit Ecuador, but then there's the other group of budget backpackers, who have to think over and over again whether this trip is worth it, because frankly, it does not come cheap.
There are plenty of reasons to visit the Galapagos, and if you are still undecided, we can only encourage you to include the Galapagos Islands in your itinerary.
The entire visit is like stepping into a completely different world, and it is a true paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Plus, it's a life-changing travel experience and will be an eye-opener for you to travel sustainably.
We spent seven days cruising the Galapagos archipelago, saw many places, many species, and most importantly, learned about this fragile paradise on earth.
In case you cannot afford the cruise but still want to visit the Galapagos, it is good to know you can visit them independently.
Base yourself on one of the Galapagos islands, take a few day trips, and then travel to another island. Yes, this alternative will still be a bit more expensive than your regular day, but you'll thank us later.
And one more thing that came to my mind. Many travelers decide between the Galapagos and then a destination on the coast of Peru, Islas Ballestas, known as Poor Men's Galapagos.
Even though it might seem like a good substitute, we found this place after visiting the Galapagos Islands a bit underwhelming.
#6 QUITO BUS STATIONS
The traffic in Quito is heavy, and to get from one side of the city to another often seems like a nightmare. That's why one of the things you should know from the very beginning is that the capital has two main bus terminals.
One is on the northern edge of the city, called Terminal Terrestre Carcelen, and the other one is located on the southern edge and is known as Quitumbe.
As locations suggest, the southern terminal is used mostly for destinations south of Quito, and the northern one is for those who want to travel in the opposite direction.
For example, if you arrived from the market town of Otavalo and want to go to cloud forest in Mindo, you have to switch not only buses in Quito but also bus terminals.
#7 ALWAYS WATCH YOUR VALUABLES
This should go without saying, but we have to mention the most common problem in Ecuador when talking about buses. Nothing can ruin your holiday as when you lose your valuables, so you must be super-careful.
When traveling in Ecuador, never leave your hand luggage under your seat or above your head.
Keep all your valuables on your lap all the time. It is not very comfortable, but it will save you a lot of stress.
Chapter for itself is public transport in Quito. The buses are so overcrowded that it's not even funny. Always wear your daypack on your front once onboard.
We were once almost robbed on a bus in Ecuador, and it was a situation like from a textbook. We had been robbed in Bogota, so we were more alert this time.
A guy on a bus told us to sit on specific seats and advised us to put our backpacks under.
We declined; he started to be a bit pushy, but at that time, we noticed another guy sitting behind us with sunglasses, so we knew we have to hold tight.
Well, before the bus left the station, these dodgy looking passengers left, thankfully without our stuff.
What struck us the most was that the driver outside the bus told us to watch our valuables, which is not very common, and we are pretty sure he knew he had thieves on board.
When it comes to large backpacks, you should always get a tag from a bus driver.
#8 ROADS IN ECUADOR
If there's something that surprised us pleasantly, it was the perfect conditions of roads in Ecuador.
It seemed to us that all roads, at least those connecting major travel attractions such as Quilotoa Lagoon, have undergone renovations, and traveling in Ecuador was actually very comfortable.
It also helped that Ecuador is a small and compact country, so we did not have to take many night buses as in other countries, but the experience was still great.
There's really nothing to worry about if you want to get around the country independently by bus.
Ecuador is even one of the few countries in South America where we think that renting a car is a good idea, in case you want to have the flexibility.
#9 MONEY
The official currency in Ecuador is the American dollar. It has many advantages. If you are from the US, it is quite obvious. You don't have to care about changing money at all.
But even for us, who have a different currency, it was a win-win situation as we always carry emergency dollars with us just in case.
It was for us much easier to pay with dollars than with a currency we had never seen before.
On the other hand, everything in Ecuador is slightly more expensive than in the neighboring countries because of dollars.
We were told that Ecuador's original currency was so unstable back in the days that almost all of the citizens rather used dollars that provided them with much-needed stability. Therefore it was much easier to adopt this currency officially as well.
What we think is a really great tip? Bring small bills.
If you decide to pay on a local market with a new and shiny $20 just withdrew from an ATM, no one will have change.
#10 WEATHER
Before traveling to Ecuador, you should know that packing right is the key. Not only Ecuador has two wet and two dry seasons throughout the year, but because of dramatic topography changes, you need to be prepared for all types of weather conditions.
Based on our experience, success lies in layers.
Make sure you pack leggings or outdoor trousers, a few functional t-shirts with both long and short sleeves, fleece jacket; we were even glad to have a down jacket as it gets really cold in the mountains.
Also bring a rain poncho or travel umbrella, but in case you plan on visiting the coast, a swimsuit is also a must-have.
Simply put, the weather in Ecuador can often be unpredictable, although the dry season that lasts from December to February and then from July to September should not surprise you with unpleasant weather.
Also, Ecuador, as the name suggests, is on the equator. That means the sun is super-strong here, and you should never forget to apply sunscreen, even if it's cloudy out there.
#11 MITAD DEL MUNDO
Ecuador did not get the name by accident. It refers to the fact that the country sits on the equatorial line, and you can even visit here a place where it is possible at one moment stand on both hemispheres.
You can have one foot in the Southern hemisphere and the other one in the Northern hemisphere.
The place where you can experience such 'sensation' is called Mitad del Mundo, alias the Middle of the World. Mitad del Mundo is approximately 20 kilometers from Quito; that's why we think no traveler should miss it.
Mitad del Mundo is actually a park, where you can visit the monument, see the line that separates the hemispheres, there are a planetarium and a few exhibitions.
The thing is that the actual equator is about 240 meters away. How did it happen? Let's just say that modern equipment and tools are much more precise.
Despite this small flaw, we still think that visiting Mitad del Mundo is worth your time, and you should not leave Ecuador without the iconic photo.
#12 WATER
If you really want to enjoy your time in Ecuador, we have one tip. Do not drink tap water. Actually, we've heard that the only place where you can drink tap water in the country is in Cuenca, but we have not tried it ourselves.
Drinking water is a big topic when traveling in South America.
Even though we really want to lower our plastic consumption, it is simply harder in some countries.
Still, it is possible. Of course, you can try drinking tap water, we just think it is hit or miss, and we are not fans of spending most of our time on the toilet, although we believe it is possible to train your belly a bit.
We usually buy large water barrels, 5 or 10 liters, and then refill our travel reusable water bottle. In case you want to go even further with your efforts, consider purchasing this water bottle with integrated filter.
#13 ECUADOR HAS SO MANY WONDERFUL PLACES
If you choose your next travel destination, it is worth knowing that Ecuador has plenty of beautiful places and things to do. It looks small on the map, but the diversity is absolutely incredible.
We spent more than a month in Ecuador, and even though the competition is tough, it still belongs among our top places to see in South America.
Ecuador has colonial towns with narrow cobblestone streets and photogenic houses, coast, waterfalls, wildlife, Amazon, high mountains, paramo ecosystem, national parks, insanely blue mountain lakes, lush green hills, the Galapagos, indigenous markets, Incan ruins, deep valleys, and we could go on and on.
We did not know what to expect before our visit, but now, we cannot believe that we did not have Ecuador on our list a long time ago.
Sure, countries like Peru or Colombia will probably always be higher on travelers' bucket lists, but we think Ecuador deserves a rightful place in the sun as well.
#14 PANAMA HATS ARE FROM ECUADOR
Have you ever heard about Panama hats? Panama hat is a straw hat that is woven from palm trees' fibers. The really interesting information is about to come.
Panama hat actually originated in Ecuador. This product's history dates back to the 16th century, but they were called by many indigenous names back then.
The popularity of these traditional hats was slowly increasing during the centuries, but the real boom came at the beginning of the 20th century when the US president Roosevelt wore this hat when he visited the construction of Panama Chanel.
Ecuadorians are very proud of these hats, so do not make a mistake, and never say in public that Panama hats come from Panama.
If you want to bring home a nice souvenir, this straw, handmade hat is actually a great idea.
#15 ENGLISH IS NOT WIDELY SPOKEN
Before your trip to Ecuador, you should consider taking a few-week long Spanish course to learn the basics, or at least buy a Spanish textbook.
Ecuador was the second country we visited in South America, and after our experience in Colombia, we knew that we could expect very similar things when it comes to communication.
Simply put, if you speak Spanish, great. If not, your time in Ecuador will be a bit harder (or funnier, it depends on the point of view), and we guarantee you that after a few days, you'll have to learn some essential words such as almuerzo or por favor.
Unfortunately, English is still not widely spoken, not even in the tourism industry, and sometimes we needed a lot of patience when we needed to get a specific answer.
Still, in the end, with our improving Spanish and the help of modern apps, we made it.
#16 CASH IS KING
It is always better not to rely on your credit card in Ecuador - it is much better to have cash in your wallet.
Sure, if you stay in a nicer hotel, you'll most likely be able to pay with a credit card, but other than that, for example, at local markets, bus stations, or even most of the travel agencies, you'll need cash.
As international travelers attract pickpockets, we always had in our wallets what we needed for the day and left the rest of the money in the hotel room.
It is also wise to plan in advance and know whether there's an ATM in your next destination.
#17 TASTE FRUITS
We are fruit addicts, and thanks to it was for us Ecuador a perfect destination.
The fruit on local markets is ready to eat, and we could finally eat bananas right from the source as back home, in the Czech Republic, we can often find bananas from either Ecuador or Colombia in the grocery stores.
Ecuador's food is quite heavy and fried, and we were glad that we could eat something fresh every day, for a very reasonable price.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
