Overview
Ecuador is well known for its bucket-list destination: the Galápagos Islands. But there is so much more to explore. From the Amazon rainforest, to volcanic highlands, to cloud forest, to costal towns, Ecuador is one of the most diverse countries for its small landmass. It’s hard to believe you can explore so many different regions, each with their own ecosystem, all within one country!
When To Visit
There are two main seasons in Ecuador, the Wet season (running October to May) and the Dry season (June through September). During the Wet season, you can expect rain in the early afternoon but it typically doesn’t rain all day. April is the peak rainy month. During the Dry season, it is warmer and typically sunny all day.
The “high” season for the Ecuadorian mainland is June – September, when temperatures can reach 19-25 degrees Celsius (66-77 Fahrenheit) but given the elevation, can still drop to 9 degrees Celsius at night (48 Fahrenheit). This could be a good time to visit if you want to focus on the highlands, hiking in the Cotopaxi region, or visiting the rainforest during dry season.
In Galápagos, the weather is more consistent making it a good year-round destination, but it is often recommended to visit in the December – May timeframe to coincide with warmer ocean conditions which results in calmer seas for sailing and warmer water for snorkeling, combined with interesting bird nesting activity. Temperatures typically range 17-26 degrees Celsius (62-78 Fahrenheit) during the December to May timeframe and 20-31 degrees Celsius (68 to 88 Fahrenheit) during the rest of the year. Galápagos tends to hit peak busy season during holidays (Christmas, Spring Break, Summer vacations).
Overall, we think mid to end of January is the best time to visit Ecuador, especially if you are planning to hit both Galápagos and the mainland. January sees some colder temperatures on the mainland, but is a great time to visit Mindo and see peak wildlife activity. It also is great weather in the Galápagos, while avoiding some of the craziness of the holidays.
General Tips & Facts
Country Entry / Exit: For US / Canada, no tourist visa is required for a stay less than 90 days. Overall we found the border process easy & efficient.
Money: Ecuador adopted the USD in 2000 which makes conversion easy. Most stores will have trouble accepting a $50 or $100 USD bill – bringing lots of $20s, $10s, and $5s is recommended. They also use $1 USD coins which are quite common. Tipping is not common for taxis / ubers, in restaurants you can expect to tip 10% (Sometimes it is included as a service charge) and for guides the guideline is typically $10-20 per day. There are ATMs in Ecuador and we found the withdrawal limit to range between $100-$300 USD in one transaction (but it would allow you to do multiple transactions in a row.
Domestic Travel: Plane is the safest and easiest way to get around Ecuador, with each major city having an airport. Avianca and LATAM are the major airline carriers, with TAME, Equair, and Ecuador Plus also offering domestic flights. For shorter travel (e.g., Quito to Mindo or Quito to Banos), public bus can also be a good option.
In-City Transportation: We recommend using Uber for transportation in Quito – it’s very affordable and makes it easy to put in your location and track where you are going. On arrival at the airport, Taxis are readily available (you will see them lined up with a taxi stand right at the exit) and a trip into the city is ~40 minutes and $25USD. We would not recommend flagging a taxi in the street – have your hotel or restaurant call one for you or use Uber.
Safety: We never felt unsafe in Quito, but it’s always important to be aware of your surroundings. When out exploring, avoid wearing flashy jewelry or expensive clothing. We also kept our valuables in a crossbody bag (which we’d wear across our front) or in a money pouch. Bring copies of your passports with you, but leave those and any other important documents / currency in a safe at your hotel / hostel. If you have a camera, keep it away unless you are actively taking photos.
What To Eat & Drink
- Ceviche: Fresh, raw fish cured in lime juice and mixed with onions and other seasonings
- Cuy Asado (Guinea Pig): A local delicacy, popular for celebrations. Tastes like the dark meat from a chicken.
- Encocado de Pescado: Fish dish made with a coconut sauce and commonly made using Covina as the fish.
- Locro de Papa: Creamy potato stew made with cheese, onions, and spices
- Bolon de Verde: Big fried dough ball made from green plantains containing meat or cheese
- Llapingachos: Potato patty stuffed with cheese
Souvenirs: Best Gifts To Bring Home
- Chocolate: Ecuador is well known for its chocolate. Our personal favorite was the passion fruit chocolate – Pacari is a popular brand which also offers single origin bars for chocolate aficionados.
- Tigua Art: Vibrant paintings full of color and depicting typical village life, these paintings come from a town of artisans close to Cotopaxi.
- Tagua Nut Jewelry / Figures: Tagua is Ecuadorian Ivory palm that is known as natural Ivory. It is used to make jewelry in bright colors and can also be carved into figures (tortoises, blue footed boobies)
- Panama Hat: Despite the name, the famous Panama hat is actually made in Ecuador. These range from affordable that you will see being sold around the country to hundreds or thousands of dollars for authentic Montecristi (where prices range based on weave count). You can read more about the iconic hat at Brent Black’s dedicated site on the topic.
- Darwin & Wolf Galapagos Clothing: Locally owned & made, this trendy Galapagos clothing is perfect for exploring the islands. Boutique in Puerto Ayora and stall in the Baltra airport.
- Wool / Alpaca Clothing: Similar as in Peru, will find Wool and Alpaca clothing (sweaters, blankets, hats) in every market. In Ecuador, sheep’s wool is more common than Alpaca wool (most of the Alpaca population in the world is found in Peru). Sometimes these will be advertised as “100% Alpaca” but are typically synthetic or mixed (and hence so affordable).
