Ecuador Travel Guide

There is no single best month, because the regions have different seasons. According to Rough Guides, the Andes are warmest and driest from June to September, the coast is best from December to April, when showers alternate with clear skies, and the Amazon is warm, humid and rainy all year. The Galapagos has its own seasons, covered in the Galapagos best time guide.

According to Rough Guides, a 7-day route can cover Quito, Cotopaxi National Park, Baños and the Amazon, with the Galapagos as an alternative to the Amazon, while 14 days gives enough time for four distinct ecosystems at a comfortable pace. For the islands alone, the Galapagos guide on how many days to spend recommends at least 5 days.

As of 20 October 2026, citizens of most countries can stay in Ecuador for up to 90 days without a visa, and the passport must be valid for at least 6 months, according to Wikipedia's visa policy page. The UK government's entry requirements for Ecuador give British citizens up to 90 days in any 12-month period, say border officers may ask for proof of a return or onward journey, and allow tourists up to 60 days in the Galapagos, where a transit control card is also required. The rules depend on your nationality, so check the Ecuadorian foreign ministry and your own government before you travel.

Safety depends on where you go. As of 20 October 2026, the UK government's travel advice for Ecuador advises against all but essential travel to some areas, mainly parts of the coast and the border area with Colombia, and a state of emergency is in force in several provinces, so you may see more police and military. Advice changes, so read the UK page and the US State Department advisory before you book and again before you go.

Quito is at about 2,850 meters, according to Wikipedia. Wikipedia's page on altitude sickness says it typically occurs only above about 2,500 meters, usually after a rapid ascent, and can usually be prevented by ascending slowly, and the UK government lists it as a risk in parts of Ecuador. I felt the altitude at first, but it faded as I acclimatized on gradually higher summits before climbing Chimborazo.

According to Rough Guides, buses are the main public transport and reach nearly anywhere with a road, and a flight can cut a full-day bus trip to about 30 minutes. Trains are limited to three short tourist routes, and the guide advises against traveling by bus at night. In 2022 I got around by local bus, and a friend drove me around in his jeep. In 2023, when I lived there, my wife and I used her car.

Ecuador has used the US dollar since 2000, and it also issues its own centavo coins, according to Wikipedia. According to Rough Guides, cash is still the main way to pay, especially in rural areas, and major hotels, supermarkets and higher-end restaurants in cities accept cards. You need cash for small shops, markets, local buses, taxis and national park entrance fees.

It depends on the trip you want: the Andes for volcano climbs and hikes, the Amazon for caves and waterfalls, the cloud forest for birdwatching, the Pacific coast for diving, and the Galapagos for wildlife on the islands. Rough Guides' 7-day route starts in Quito and Cotopaxi National Park and adds either the Amazon or the Galapagos. If you plan to climb, ascending gradually is the usual way to avoid altitude sickness, according to Wikipedia.