Travel advice for Ecuador
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Ecuador
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
Direct flights to Ecuador’s international airports in Quito and Guayaquil depart from a relatively small number of places outside of Latin America. In the United States, regular services leave from Miami, Houston and Atlanta; in Europe, they go from Madrid and Amsterdam. Higher prices are likely in the July to September high season and during December.
Meet your Ecuador local travel expert
21 days / from11900 USD
Ecuador's Best in 3 Weeks
A journey to the heart of Ecuador: discover the Andean highlands, go on a deep dive in the Amazon jungle, explore the colonial cities on the Pacific Coast and end your trip with the incredibly diverse Galapagos Islands. This trip packs all into one, the adventure of a lifetime!
customize ⤍14 days / from6565 USD
Best of Peru & Galapagos Islands
Split your South America trip into two fascinating countries: Peru with Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, as well as ocean-facing capital Lima. Afterwards, proceed to the Galapagos Islands. You will stay on 3 different islands and explore many more.
customize ⤍8 days / from4350 USD
Pristine rainforest - Ecuador's Amazon
Start in Ecuador's capital Quito with nearby Cotopaxi volcano. Afterwards proceed to your adventure in the Amazon - a luxurious Lodge awaits with plenty of excursions from river canoes, bird watching, rainforest hikes and more.
customize ⤍10 days / from7450 USD
Mesmerizing Ecuador - Amazon & Galapagos
Despite its small size, Ecuador packs an incredible variety of wildlife, nature and culture. On this trip, you will explore the Amazon on a river cruise, getting close to not just the wildlife but also the native cultures. Afterwards, fly to the Galapagos for a unique wildlife adventure.
customize ⤍14 days / from13500 USD
Luxury Andes and Galapagos
Combine Ecuador's mainland, visiting Cotopaxi volcano, the fascinating city of Quito, the market in Otavalo, hot springs in Papallacta and more, with the unique wildlife and nature of the Galapagos. A once in a lifetime trip with extraordinary hotels and lodges awaits.
customize ⤍10 days / from2900 USD
Galapagos Special - 3 islands in 10 days
The Galapagos islands in Ecuador are a truly special place. On this trip, you will get to stay on 3 different islands and explore several more on boat tours. Start and end point of your journey is the UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of Ecuador - Quito.
customize ⤍18 days / from5875 USD
On Top of the World & Deep Into the Sea
Calling all adventurers - hiking volcanoes? Meeting indigenous tribes in the Amazon? Diving in the magnificent Galapagos islands? This trip truly has it all. Enjoy a fast-paced trip including Quito, Mindo, Cotopaxi, Coyambe, Otavalo, Yasuni Reserve in the Amazon, as well as the Galapagos.
customize ⤍17 days / from16500 USD
Luxury Galapagos Cruise & Mainland Highlights
Seven nights on a luxurious super yacht in the Galapagos - explore the natural wonders of this island paradise in style. Afterwards, fly to the mainland and discover Ecuador from Guayaquil to Quito. Volcanoes, waterfalls, markets, and much more are to be discovered.
customize ⤍12 days / from3800 USD
Ecuador Highlights - Amazon & Galapagos
Three dream destinations in Ecuador await: discover the colonial city of Quito and Otavalo before heading to the Amazon. Guided boat tours will explain flora, fauna and the indigenous customs to you. Afterwards, explore the fascinating Galapagos islands.
customize ⤍9 days / from3990 USD
Diving Adventure in the Galapagos
The Galapagos islands are one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. This includes the stunning marine wildlife. Explore it yourself on this trip, including several dives. If you're a beginner - no worries, a course can also be quoted. For advanced divers, different spots can be chosen.
customize ⤍10 days / from5850 USD
The Andean Highway & the Magical Galapagos
Experience the best of Ecuador with our expertly crafted itinerary. Explore the ancient and modern aspects of Quito's colonial city. Discover hidden cultural gems nestled between the rocky peaks of the Andes. Finally, marvel at the breathtaking natural beauty of the Galapagos aboard the Archipel I.
customize ⤍10 days / from2950 USD
The Ecuadorian Highlands & Amazon Jungle
Experience the best of Ecuador with our expertly crafted itinerary. Visit Quito's colonial center, hike around stunning lagoons, and explore the natural beauty of Cotopaxi National Park. End your trip with a cultural immersion program in Napo.
customize ⤍If you’re planning to include Ecuador as part of a South American tour, consider an “open-jaw” ticket, which lets you make your own way overland between your arrival and departure points. Popular combinations are Quito and Lima, or Quito and La Paz, and tickets cost about the same as a normal return.
Ecuador is too small to warrant its own airpass, but is included in larger networks, such as the LAN airlines Airpass, which links LAN destinations and offers further discounts if you have a transatlantic ticket with them.
While there are few direct routes to Ecuador, it’s easy to pick up connecting flights to the main hubs. From the US, direct routes to Quito and Guayaquil are operated by American Airlines, Delta, LATAM and United from Atlanta, Houston and Miami. JetBlue and Spirit fly from Ft Lauderdale. Avianca and Copa Airlines have indirect flights via cities such as Bogotá, Panama City and San Salvador (El Salvador). There are no direct flights from Canada to Ecuador; Canadian travellers generally have to travel via the US or Mexico, with Aeroméxico.
Approximate flying times from the US to Quito without stops are around four hours from Miami, and around five hours from Houston and Atlanta. Prices are roughly $500–700 return from Miami, $600–800 from Houston and Atlanta, and CAN$700–900 from Toronto, but shop around, as prices can vary greatly.
There are no direct flights to Ecuador from Britain and Ireland, but there are plenty of indirect flights to both Quito and Guayaquil involving a change of plane in either a European or American city. The US airlines fly via their respective hubs (see above), while Iberia routes via Madrid, and KLM via Amsterdam. Other possibilities include taking a flight to a South American hub, such as Bogotá or Lima, from where connections to Ecuador can be made.
Typical journey times are between 15 and 17 hours. You can expect to pay around £700–900 return in low season and £800–1100 in high, though prices can vary widely.
There are no direct flights to Ecuador from Australia or New Zealand. The most straightforward route is with Qantas/LATAM from Sydney to Quito and Guayaquil, stopping in Auckland and changing in Santiago. Alternatively, you can travel via the US, or fly to Buenos Aires with Aerolineas Argentinas and pick up a connection from there. Typical travel times are around 25 to 40 hours. Expect to pay at least around A$2000 from Australia, and NZ$2100 from New Zealand.
To get to Ecuador from South Africa, you’re best off flying to a South American hub, such as São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago or Lima, from where there are onward services to Quito. Johannesburg to São Paulo with South African Airlines is a ten-hour flight costing from ZAR6000. Brazilian airline GOL flies to São Paulo three times a week (6 hours) and is the only direct option.
It is possible to enter Ecuador by bus from Peru via Macará, Huayquillas and La Balsa, or from Colombia via Tulcán. However, the region around the border with Colombia is unsettled and may be unsafe – check the latest security situation before attempting this route. It’s also worth noting that cross-border buses are notorious hunting grounds for pickpockets and bag-snatchers; keep a very close eye on your belongings. Be aware, too, that scams are common – spurious stories along the lines of “the road is closed” or “there are protests” can be ploys to get travellers into the scammers’ vehicles or to an isolated place with the aim of robbing them.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Ecuador
written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 26.04.2021
Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert
Book securely with money-back guarantee
Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support
Jacqueline Veltman
The perfect experience! We really had the best possible experience with our local guide Tamer in Ecuador. He put together a brilliant programme taking acc...
Read all reviews ⤍