Trip Planning
The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure.
The full Guide covers all 94 highlights,
ranked, mapped & put into context.
Download now for only
Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.
Travel Essentials
Routine Vaccinations: Ensure you’re up-to-date with routine vaccines like measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and your yearly flu shot.
Hepatitis A: Recommended for all travelers. You can get it through contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B: Consider if you might have sexual contact, get a tattoo, or need medical treatment.
Typhoid: Recommended if you plan to eat or drink outside major restaurants and hotels.
Yellow Fever: Required if traveling to certain parts of the Amazon Basin. Check specific regions and entry requirements.
Rabies: Consider if you’ll be involved in outdoor activities like camping, caving, or working with animals.
Check the CDC or your local health authority for the most current info. Plan vaccinations early, as some require multiple shots.
vaccination requirements When I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.
These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Ecuador, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.
There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Airalo, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.
Get your e-sim for EcuadorCulture & Customs
Ecuadorians value politeness, so always greet with a smile and a handshake. When addressing someone, use their title and last name. For gay travelers, larger cities like Quito and Guayaquil are more open-minded, but discretion is advised in rural areas. Women should be prepared for some catcalling; it’s usually harmless but can be annoying. Dress conservatively, especially when visiting churches or indigenous communities. Avoid discussing politics unless you’re familiar with local perspectives to prevent any tension. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, particularly indigenous communities.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Ecuador.
- Encebollado: This hearty fish soup, typically made with albacore tuna, yuca, and pickled red onions, is a breakfast staple and a beloved hangover cure in Ecuador. The combination of tangy and savory flavors makes it a local favorite.
- Llapingachos: These are delicious potato patties stuffed with cheese, often served with chorizo, fried eggs, and avocado. Originating from the highlands, they are a comfort food that showcases Ecuador’s love for potatoes.
- Ceviche: While ceviche is popular along the coast of many South American countries, Ecuador’s version often includes shrimp and a tangy tomato-based sauce. It’s a refreshing dish that captures the coastal influences of the country’s cuisine.
- Hornado: This is roasted and seasoned pork, typically served with mote (hominy), llapingachos, and salad. It’s a communal dish often found at local markets and is synonymous with festivities and gatherings.
- Fanesca: A rich, hearty soup traditionally eaten during Easter, made with 12 different grains and legumes to represent the 12 apostles. It’s a testament to Ecuador’s agricultural diversity and cultural heritage.
Tap water in Ecuador is generally not recommended for tourists to drink, as it might not be treated consistently and can upset sensitive stomachs. While locals might drink it in certain areas, it’s safer for travelers to stick with bottled or filtered water to avoid any issues. Always check the seal on bottled water to ensure it’s unopened.
The main language in Ecuador is
Spanish. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Spanish skills have become a bit rusty.
Want to understand locals better?The complete Travel Guide for Ecuador includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.
Get your local basic phrases 👉
Get the Travel Guide - In Ecuador,
English proficiency varies significantly by region and demographic. In major cities like Quito and Guayaquil, you will find a higher number of English speakers, particularly among younger people and those in the tourism industry, such as hotel staff, tour guides, and restaurant employees. In rural areas and smaller towns, however, English is less commonly spoken, and Spanish is the primary language.
While many Ecuadorians understand basic English, fluency is not widespread. Travelers may encounter challenges in communication outside tourist hotspots, so knowing some basic Spanish phrases can be beneficial. Additionally, many signs, menus, and information in tourist areas may be available in English, making navigation easier for non-Spanish speakers.
Overall, while you can get by with English in Ecuador’s urban centers and tourist areas, learning a few Spanish phrases can enhance your experience and interactions with locals.
Money & Payments
The local currency of Ecuador is USD ($).
ATM access: ATMs are pretty common in cities and larger towns, but might be scarce in rural areas. Keep a backup stash of cash just in case. Also, remember to notify your bank about your travels to avoid any card blocks.
Cash: Ecuador uses the US dollar, so no need to worry about currency conversion if you’re coming from the States. If you’re arriving with euros, exchange them for dollars at banks or authorized exchange houses in major cities for the best rates.
Cards: Credit and debit cards are accepted in most urban restaurants, hotels, and larger stores, but always have cash on hand for markets, small shops, and street vendors. Visa and MasterCard are more widely accepted than other cards.
Exchange: Skip the airport exchange rates if you can—they’re usually not great. Head to a local bank or use the ATMs for a better deal. Just keep an eye out for any foreign transaction fees your bank might charge.
In Ecuador, tipping isn’t mandatory but is appreciated in many situations. In restaurants, a 10% service charge is often included in the bill, but leaving an additional small tip is a nice gesture if the service was excellent. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare is common practice.
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Best Backpacking
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Over the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.