Ecuador Travel Insurance Plans

In this article:

• Travel Insurance Plans for Ecuador
• Ecuador Travel Tips and Safety Information
• Other Ecuador FAQs

Travel insurance is not a requirement for entry to Ecuador; however, it’s recommended you have medical expense coverage on your trip, which may not be provided internationally by your U.S. health care plan. With a travel insurance plan, you can get medical expense coverage along with a variety of other coverages, such as Trip Interruption and Baggage Delay, to help ease unexpected burdens on your trip.

Travel Guard’s Deluxe Plan is a great option to help protect your trip to Ecuador as it has the highest benefit limits and most coverages included on the base plan. Coverages include trip cancellation, trip delay, baggage coverage, medical expense coverage, and more. All of our travel insurance plans come with access to Travel Guard’s 24-hour emergency travel assistance so you’re not left to deal with certain travel mishaps alone. Additionally, you can customize your plan with several add-on upgrades to personalize your travel insurance plan. If you plan on scuba diving to certain depths at some of the amazing locations on the Galapagos Islands, you’ll want our Adventure Bundle, which provides coverage for certain losses as a result of covered adventurous activities that are otherwise excluded from your travel insurance plan.

Travel insurance plans typically cost between 5-7% of the total price of your trip. Several factors come into play when it comes to pricing your plan, such as the product you choose and the number of eligible travelers added to your travel insurance plan. For more details on pricing, check out our article on how much travel insurance costs.

To help ensure travelers to Ecuador are safer and more informed, Travel Guard has compiled some popular questions asked by tourists visiting the country.

For the latest information related to COVID-19 travel requirements for Ecuador, please visit the official U.S. Embassy website for Ecuador.

Travelers visiting Ecuador should carefully research their destination before booking or departing for their trip, as the security situation in the country is complicated and there are certain locations that should be avoided altogether. Ecuador has seen sharp increases in violence and crime associated with organized criminal groups. Tourists are not specifically targeted in gang-related violence, but travelers could find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time or could face travel disruptions and government restrictions. During travel, stay aware of current events, follow all directives from authorities and carry identification – preferably a copy with the original in a secure location – at all times. 

Crime is a serious concern in Ecuador. Pickpocketing, bag-snatching, mugging and assaults are issues, including in popular tourist areas. Criminals may use distraction methods or even drugs to rob victims. In addition to carefully planning ahead, visitors should stay aware of their surroundings at all times, avoid carrying valuables or large amounts of cash, arrange taxis through a hotel instead of hailing a cab on the street and avoid traveling after dark. Travel by bus is also not recommended because of crime and safety concerns. 

Many travelers to Ecuador go to experience the country’s numerous national parks, such as Cotopaxi National Park and the Galapagos Islands, and outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain climbing and scuba diving. In addition to general safety concerns associated with adventure travel, some activities require transit through rough terrain with limited options for supplies and communications services. Natural hazards such as flooding, landslides, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can pose additional risks. Criminals have also targeted tourists on hiking trails and in national parks. Visitors should book activities through experienced local providers in advance of travel to help mitigate safety concerns.

Visit the U.S. Department of State website for up-to-date information on travel advisory levels and safety information for travelers to Ecuador

All U.S. travelers should consider enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service offered to U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad. Enrolling in this program allows you to receive important information from the embassy as well as helps the embassy contact you in an emergency.

The official currency of Ecuador is the U.S. Dollar. While debit and credit cards are typically accepted, you should consider carrying a small amount of cash on your person in case you visit a cash-only vendor. Remember to contact your bank before your travels to make sure you have access to your finances while you’re abroad.

The official language of Ecuador is Spanish with the local dialect of Quichua being spoken by many indigenous people in the country. While English is commonly spoken in tourist areas, it’s best practice to learn common phrases and sayings before your trip as well as bringing a translation app that works without Wi-Fi.

Tourists visiting Ecuador do not need a visa for stays shorter than 90 days in a 12-month period. Passports with six-months validity and blank pages for your entry and exit stamps are required for entry to the country.

The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador is located in Quito. Visit the official U.S. Embassy government website for a list of up-to-date phone numbers and addresses.

Ecuador’s climate can vary depending on where you visit in the country. In the northern and eastern areas of Ecuador, the climate is hot and humid year-round with rainfall throughout the year while central Ecuador has cool temperatures due to the Andes mountains. Weather on the Galapagos Islands stays warm throughout the year with the warmest months being from December to June.

The best time of year to visit Ecuador depends on your preferences. The most popular months are July and August since the temperatures tend to be cooler with almost no rainfall, though prices are likely to be increased during this time of year. September to November is considered shoulder season for Ecuador, meaning prices are lower and there are less tourists; however, temperatures and rainfall increase around this time of year as well.

The dial code for Ecuador is +593, when making calls from home, remember to use the U.S. exit code of +11 followed by the area code and seven-digit number of the person you’re trying to reach. When calling the U.S. from Ecuador, use the exit code +00 followed by the U.S. dial code of +1 with the ten-digit number of the person you’re contacting. Remember to let your phone company know of your travels to avoid service interruptions and unwanted fees.

Ecuador uses a different voltage type than the U.S., so you will need to bring a transformer to properly charge and use your devices. The wall sockets are similar to the U.S. so a plug adaptor is not needed, though a universal adaptor can be beneficial on other international trips you may take in the future.

Popular tourist destinations and cities, such as the Galapagos Islands and the city of Quito, are known to be safe for solo travelers while some areas of the country, like the city of Guayaquil, tend to be higher risk for tourists. Wherever you travel, be sure to follow typical safety precautions for best practice, particularly traveling only during daylight hours.

Most tourists visiting the Galapagos choose to fly from the mainland of Ecuador from either Guayaquil or Quito, with Guayaquil providing a direct flight to the islands.

Though air travel can be ideal depending on where you are hoping to visit, another transportation option is to hire a driver, as it tends to be an affordable option and allows you to take the stress from navigating the roadways. When booking tours or travel reservations in Ecuador, be sure to do your research and book with a reputable company with good reviews.

Travel Guard offers comprehensive and customizable travel insurance plans for travelers visiting Ecuador. With excellent coverage and specialized emergency travel assistance representatives ready to help you at any time, Travel Guard is there for you. Compare our popular plans and find the best one for you!