Ecuador Tours & Holidays

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Most travellers do not need a visa to enter Ecuador. This includes visitors from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland and most other Western European countries. Visa-exempt travellers will receive an entry stamp valid for 90 days on arrival.

Some travellers will need to apply for a visa prior to departure including citizens from Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Please contact your nearest Ecuadorian embassy for more information.

In any case, your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Argentina.

The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. 

Last updated: 08/12/2023

There are two seasons in Ecuador, wet and dry, and they vary depending on the region. For the most part, Ecuador is a sunny, warm country, and even the wet season will bring its fair share of sunny days.

The best time to visit is largely dependent on your itinerary, although it should be noted that the Christmas period (December to January) is often the busiest, so be prepared for large crowds.

In the Amazon, August and December through March are the driest seasons and April to June are the wettest. In the highlands, the dry season is from June to September as well as December. The Galapagos and coastal regions are mainly influenced by ocean currents.

The hot and rainy season runs from January to April. It doesn't rain much, but you can expect some downpours at times. From May to December, it can be a bit cooler with more overcast days.

The high seasons in the Galapagos (June through August, December and January) are generally determined by holiday trends and not by weather conditions

While tipping isn’t mandatory, tips are very much appreciated by service workers and guides. Leaving a 10% tip is customary in restaurants. Some automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill, in which case an extra tip isn’t required.

Internet can be accessed at internet cafes and hotels in large cities and towns but is limited in rural and remote areas.

Mobile phone coverage is good in Ecuador’s cities, but may not be available in rural and mountainous areas. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.

Ecuador has a mix of Western-style flushable toilets and squat toilets. Either way, always carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser, as these are not always provided. You’ll notice that most flushable toilets have a wastebasket next to them. This is because toilets in Ecuador can’t handle toilet paper and will overflow if you try to flush it. Instead, always put used toilet paper in these baskets. 

Ecuador's unit of currency is the US Dollar (USD). Here's what you can expect to pay for a:

• Short city bus ride = USD 0.50
• Juice = USD 2
• Coffee = USD 2
• Beer = USD 3-5
• Street food snack = USD 1.50
• Simple lunch = USD 3-5
• Sit down dinner at a local restaurant = USD 10-25

Travellers should avoid drinking tap water in Ecuador. For environmental reasons, try to avoid bottled water. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found as some hotels provide this. Remember to peel fruit and vegetables before eating and avoid ice in drinks.

Credit cards are usually accepted by hotels, large retailers and tourist sites but are less commonly accepted by smaller vendors and family-run restaurants and market stalls. Always carry enough cash for smaller purchases in case credit cards are not an option.

ATMs are easily found in the large cities and airports, although are less common in rural and remote areas. When travelling out of the city, be prepared by having enough cash, as ATMs aren't always available.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of your trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey. 


For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

• 1 Jan: New Year’s Day
• March/April: Good Friday*
• 1 May: Labour Day
• 24 May: Battle of Pichincha
• 10 Aug: Independence Day
• 9 Oct: Guayaquil Independence Day
• 2 Nov: All Soul’s Day
• 3 Nov: Cuenca Independence Day
• 25 Dec: Christmas
• 31 Dec: New Year's Eve

*Please note these dates vary. See a current list of public holidays in Ecuador.

Most people can start to feel the effects of altitude at over 2000 m (6561 ft) regardless of age, gender or fitness level. Quito, as well as other tourist spots, sit above this elevation and some travellers might experience symptoms of altitude sickness, including shortness of breath, headache, nausea and loss of appetite. It’s important to take it easy, drink plenty of water and speak to your group leader at once if you feel unwell.

We recommend seeing your doctor if you have any health concerns before undertaking the trip. Particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition or take any medication.

Ecuador requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever. Many South and Central American countries pose a risk (including Argentina, Brazil and Colombia), so if you are planning on visiting other nearby nations before Ecuador you may be required to get this vaccine. 

Visit your doctor or travel clinic for advice and make sure to schedule your vaccination 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective. No other vaccines are required in order to enter Ecuador but some are recommended for protection against disease.

Ecuador is a relatively hassle-free destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers. Same-sex marriage was legalised here in 2019 and LGBT discrimination is illegal. In saying that, conservative attitudes still exist throughout the country and LGBTQIA+ travellers are generally advised to use discretion when it comes to public displays of affection.

In the big cities like Quito and Guayaquil, there are many gay-friendly hotels, bars, clubs and cafes, however, they can be harder to find in smaller cities and towns.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.

Last updated: 08/12/2023

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveller. Trips to Ecuador directly support our foundation partner, Galapagos Conservancy. 

Galapagos Conservancy 

The Galapagos Conservancy protect the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos. Donations from our trips support their Galápagos Conservancy Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WISE) program, providing critical capital for sustainability initiatives and building the entrepreneurial capacity of Galápagos women.

Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.