Ecuador Travel Guide

• The Galapagos Islands are in Ecuador, located in the Pacific Ocean 600 miles west of the mainland. These islands were visited by Charles Darwin on his voyage of discovery and have an amazing variety of wildlife species, which are now highly protected, with limited visitors allowed.
• Visit the Amazon rainforest and learn more about how to protect the rainforest and its indigenous tribes. Take a canoe or rafting trip, a rainforest hike, or enjoy bird watching.
• You can’t miss the spectacular snow-capped Andes Mountains that are the background to many Ecuadorian scenes. Travelling along the mountain roads and visiting the small settlements is an unforgettable drive.
• The people will welcome you in Ecuador, but it’s best to learn some Spanish before you go, as English is not spoken much. If you make this effort, you will be rewarded with a much richer experience.
• You can easily combine a visit to Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands with a visit to Peru or Bolivia.

Corn is the staple diet in the Highland regions of the country, often served with meat.  A speciality that you may or may not be brave enough to try is ‘Cuy’ which is roasted guinea pig!  For the more conventional palette, whole roasted pig is another delicacy.

Fresh seafood is readily available in the coastal regions, often served with rice, fried plantain or peanuts. In the region around the Amazon, ‘yuca’ or ‘cassava’ is a staple ingredient and there is plenty of fresh fruit on offer throughout the country. 

The Galapagos and Coastal regions are influenced by the Pacific Ocean currents - hot and rainy between January and April, while slightly cooler and drier from May to December. In the Highlands, it’s wet between January and May, October and November, the dry season being June to September and around Christmas, but the mountains' wet season is comparably less wet. The central valley is warm all year, with temperatures no higher than 24°C. 

The Amazon region is very hot and has year-round rain with July and August being the wettest months and September to December the driest.

Visa Assistance

Visas may be required depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay. Below are the FCDO travel advice for British travellers. Entry rules can change at any time, so always check with the relevant embassy before travelling.

To make things easier, we’ve partnered with The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based visa specialist. Their team can guide you on requirements and, for a fee, apply for visas on your behalf.

Entry Requirements for UK Travellers

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Ecuador’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Ecuador set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Ecuadorean Embassy in the UK.

Documents required to enter via land or river border

If you wish to enter Ecuador via a land or river border from Peru or Colombia, you must present a criminal record certificate from the country where you lived for the last 5 years. The certificate must be legalised with the Hague Apostille and translated into Spanish if issued in another language. This mandatory requirement was announced on 11 January 2024 for implementation with immediate effect.

Alternatively, if you do not have a legalised criminal record certificate, you can ask the Ecuadorean immigration authorities at the border to carry out a check on their ’SIMIEC’ Ecuadorean Immigration System (which flags any travel prohibitions or INTERPOL alerts). The following people are exempt from the presentation of the criminal record certificate:

• Holders of a valid Ecuadorean visa
• Holders of diplomatic passports
• Children and adolescents under 18
• Victims of human trafficking or those seeking international protection under the Ecuadorean Human Mobility Law.

There are no restrictions in place for anyone flying into Ecuador.

To obtain a UK Police Criminal Record Certificate, check the ACRO website. For information about legalising the document with the Hague apostille check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Legalisation Office website site.

Passport validity requirements 

To enter Ecuador, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. 

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. 

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements 

You can visit Ecuador without a visa for up to 90 days in any 12-month period.

If you’re already in Ecuador and want to stay longer than 90 days, you can pay to extend your stay (in Spanish) by an extra 90 days. You must apply for an extension before the first 90-day period ends or you could be fined.  

If you overstay your visa, you will get a fine when you leave. You will not be allowed to return to Ecuador unless you pay the fine before you leave the country. 

For immigration information, see Ecuador Migration.

To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you must meet the Ecuadorean government’s entry requirements (in Spanish).

Applying for a visa 

Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (MFAHM) has an e-visa application process (in Spanish).  Find the relevant MFAHM district zone offices.

For general guidance contact [email protected] or call (02) 299 3200 extension 23064.

Checks at border control 

All travellers entering Ecuador must register their entry and exit in the national immigration database. This is a mandatory requirement under Ecuadorean immigration regulations. At border control, you may be asked to: 

• provide your reason for travel 

• show proof of a return or onward journey

Peru and Colombia land border crossings 

As of 24 December 2025 only Rumichaca and Huaquillas international immigration checkpoints, at the Colombia and Peru land borders, are operating. Other checkpoints remain closed for national security reasons until further notice.

If you are entering Ecuador by land from Peru or Colombia, it is essential to use an official immigration checkpoint to receive the required passport entry stamp indicating your arrival date. Some buses may bypass immigration checkpoints, which can result in travellers not receiving the necessary stamp. This can lead to serious immigration issues.   

Evading immigration control filters, regardless of the reason, is considered a serious offence. According to official sources:  

• it will result in denied entry (‘inadmisión’) on future entry attempts 

• immigration fines are generally not applicable for this type of violation (but they apply for overstaying cases) 

• for official enquiries or direct assistance, contact an  immigration office (in Spanish) as soon as possible

Galapagos Islands 

Tourists can stay in the Galapagos Islands for up to 60 days. To enter Galapagos, you must have: 

• evidence of a hotel booking or an invitation letter from your host  
• evidence of a return flight to the Ecuadorean mainland  
• purchase a transit control card at your departure airport before checking in for your flight – you must also keep a copy 
• travel health insurance, which is mandatory for foreign tourists

If you are travelling to or from Galapagos Islands via Guayaquil airport you should check with the airline before booking to ensure you will remain airside at Guayaquil airport.  FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Guayaquil, except for airside transit through the airport.

Check the Ministry of Tourism’s accredited tourism service providers (in Spanish), which includes information on accommodation, transport, tour operators and restaurants.

Travelling with children 

Leaving Ecuador  

British children, including British - Ecuadorean dual nationals, aged 17 and under must have a notarised consent letter (in Spanish) to leave Ecuador if they are:

• travelling alone or with one parent or legal guardian
• resident in Ecuador or have been in Ecuador for over 90 days, even if they are travelling on a British passport

If they are tourists (not resident in Ecuador) British children (or British-Ecuadorean dual nationals) do not need a notarised consent letter (Art.137 Human Mobility Organic Law’ 2017).

If one parent is deceased, the other parent must submit the death certificate to an Ecuadorean public notary to get an indefinite notarial permit to travel with the child. 

In more complex situations, such as legal disputes, a child will need judicial written permission (‘Autorización de Viaje Judicial’) issued by an Ecuadorian judge (‘Juzgado de la Niñez y Adolescencia’).  

Entering Ecuador  

Children entering Ecuador with someone other than a parent or legal guardian do not need a consent letter. 

Vaccine requirements  

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Ecuador guide. 

Customs rules 

From 29 July, every adult passenger or family group travelling to or from Ecuador carrying taxable goods or cash equal to or higher than 10,000 US dollars must:

• register online
• complete the form, and present the digital version (QR code) to customs on arrival/departure (airports, land borders, ports)

This form must be completed at least three days before travelling. Failure to declare goods can lead to fines, confiscation of goods or criminal charges.

Taking money out of Ecuador  

You must declare cash you’re carrying when you leave Ecuador. You will have to pay tax on amounts over 1,350 US dollars. 

Drug production and trafficking have become a problem in Ecuador, having spread across from Colombia and Peru and trafficking or use of illegal drugs is a serious crime with severe penalties.

It is a legal requirement to carry ID while visiting Ecuador, so keep a photocopy of your passport pages (including your photograph) and your Ecuadorean immigration entry stamp with you at all times. If you enter Ecuador via the border with Peru or Colombia make sure you are given an entry stamp at the border showing the date of your arrival.

If you travel to the Galapagos Island by boat you may be asked to state your blood group.

We have selected what we believe to be the key points that you should be aware of when travelling in Ecuador.

Gap 360 follows advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and we recommend that you frequently check the FCDO for updated travel advice. You can find the website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office

Crime

Petty crimes such as muggings and pickpocketing are common in Ecuador. Take particular care in ‘La Carolina’ and ‘El Ejido’ parks, the districts of ‘La Mariscal’, ‘La Floresta’ and ‘La Marin’, the old town including the central bus station, and ‘El Panecillo’ hill in Quito. Don’t travel to ‘El Panecillo’ hill alone, or on foot, use reliable transport or tours. Be watchful in the Kennedy, Alborada, Urdesa and Malecon Simon Bolivar districts of Guayaquil.

Keep an eye on your bags while travelling on public transport and in restaurants and cafes. Wear your rucksack on the front of your body and avoid storing anything under your seat or in overhead storage on public transport. Keep your passport and money on you at all times.

Stay vigilant when withdrawing money from a bank or ATM machine, as gang members from inside the bank can alert other gang members of potential targets at ATMs.

Drugs such as a homemade version of ‘scopolamine’ can be used to subdue victims of crime, so don’t accept food, drinks, leaflets, telephone cards or cigarettes from any stranger.

Armed robbery is a problem in Quito, Guayaquil and in remote areas. There has been an increase in robberies on interstate transport and at bus stations, especially in the tourist location of Baños. As most incidents take place at night, avoid road travel after dark. Take care in the provinces of Pichincha, El Oro, Los Rios, Guayas, Azuay, Manabi, Tungurahua and Chimborazo. Avoid interstate buses that pick up passengers at night as these are a target for criminals.

So-called ‘express kidnappings’, and short-term opportunistic abductions aimed at extracting cash or money from ATMs have been reported, particularly in Quito and Guayaquil. If you are the target of a robbery, don’t resist attack.

Ecuador’s northern border with Columbia has an army-controlled 20 km exclusion zone and we advise against all travel to this area except the official border crossing town of Tulcan (Carchi province), using the main highway. Crime and kidnappings are high in this area due to drug-related criminal groups. Avoid the area of Tarapoa and the Cuyabeno reserve in Sucumbios. Crime rates are higher in southern parts of Sucumbios province, including Coca (also known as Francisco de Orellana). The area along the Napo river, between Sucumbios and Orellana provinces, is home to many eco-lodges, but only visit this area when travelling with a reputable tour operator. Do not accept unsolicited offers of cheap tours or accommodation. Another area where crime is on the increase is Quininde in Esmeraldas province.

A state of emergency is in place at the National Assembly in Quito (as of May 2014). Travellers are advised to avoid all demonstrations.

Passports

It is a legal requirement to carry ID while visiting Ecuador, so keep a photocopy of your passport pages (including your photograph) and your Ecuadorean immigration entry stamp with you at all times. If you enter Ecuador via the border with Peru or Colombia make sure you are given an entry stamp at the border showing the date of your arrival.

Typical Scams

Criminals have been known to squirt liquids on potential victims and then steal your bag while pretending to help you get cleaned up. Other typical scams include false requests for assistance, staged fights and pushing or shoving.

Transport/Travel

Road accidents and travel delays can be caused by heavy rain or mudslides. Ecuador has one of the highest rates of road accidents in Latin America. If travelling by public bus make sure the bus company is insured with a ‘SOAT’, a ‘mandatory traffic accident insurance policy’.

Do not use illegitimate taxis as their drivers have been implicated in robberies and kidnappings, and avoid hailing cabs on the street. Try to book a taxi through a hotel or by using a reputable radio taxi service. Authorised taxis in Quito and Guayaquil have yellow cabs, which should display the municipality registration number sticker on the windscreen and doors, as well as on the orange (or white with orange strip) license plates. Legitimate taxi ranks operate at airports and at larger supermarkets. Make sure the taxi meter is reset (the minimum charge in Quito is USD1).

Quito has a ‘safe taxi passenger’ scheme in which a taxi passenger can send an SMS to 2468 with the taxi’s registration number to get an instant confirmation about the taxi’s status. The Ecuador-wide “Secure Transport” project has installed video cameras, panic buttons and GPS inside interstate buses and registered taxis, so you should only use yellow registered taxis with a video camera inside, or a radio taxi.

Much of Ecuador’s railway system has recently been repaired, but travelling on train roofs is no longer allowed as it poses serious risks. Accidents involving tour-company boats have been reported on the Galapagos Islands, so always ensure any boat you travel on has adequate safety features, lifeboats and life vests.

We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.