Ecuador travel medical insurance and visa guide

January 03, 2019

Ecuador is located in north-western South America. Despite its small size, there is so much to get excited about when organizing your visit and so many adventures to experience. You can cruise to the Galápagos Islands, swim with sea lions, visit the equator or wander through its colourful markets.
To fully enjoy your trip, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy as soon as possible, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you have got all your bases covered.

Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:

Visa Information for Ecuador

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Ecuador?

No

U.S. Citizens traveling to Ecuador do not need a visa if travelling for up to 90 days for tourist, study or business purposes. Your U.S. passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Ecuador.

If you are planning to stay for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa at an Ecuadorean Embassy.

Health and Medical Advice

Before jetting off on your travels, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in Ecuador. It’s also a good idea to find out where the nearest hospital is in case of an emergency.

Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to Ecuador?

There are no obligatory vaccination shots for travelling to Ecuador, but we would highly recommend that you get protected against Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, Yellow Fever and Rabies as well as getting your routine vaccinations updated. The standard vaccines are:

-    MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
-    Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
-    Influenza
-    Polio
-    Chickenpox

Book an appointment at your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book an appointment, at the latest, four to six weeks before your trip, giving enough time for the vaccinations to take effect.

Emergency Contact Information in Ecuador

No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services while they’re on vacation, but unfortunately, accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.

If you are staying in Quito, Guayaquil or Cuenca, the emergency number is: 911

Emergency Police number in Ecuador is: 101

Emergency Fire Brigade number is: 102

Ecuador Local Laws and Customs

• The bin you find in the toilet is for your toilet paper, the plumbing in Ecuador is not built to flush toilet paper.
• Men should take off their hats or caps indoors, and short trousers or skirts shouldn’t be worn inside churches.
• It is a legal requirement to carry a form of ID on you at all times.

Safety and Security

Transport Security

• Zebra crossings aren’t necessarily respected by drivers in Ecuador. It is important to be aware of this and take precaution when crossing at one.
• Avoid hailing a taxi on the street instead book taxi’s through a reputable booking service.
• Do not leave valuables in a car and make sure you drive with the doors locked.

Crime threats

Pickpocketing is very common, thieves will often try to distract you by staging fights or asking for assistance.
Take particular care in highly populated areas:
•    Don’t wear expensive jewellery
•    Take care of your bags in public transport
•    Carry your rucksack in the front of you
•    Don’t store things in the overhead storage or under your seat in buses
•    Use hotel safes for your belongings where possible
•    Avoid withdrawing a lot of money at one point

U.S. Embassy Quito

U.S Embassy Quito
E12-170 Avigiras Ave. and Ave. Eloy Alfaro
Quito, Ecuador

Tel: +593-2-3980-5000


Useful Tips for Ecuador

Official Language: Spanish

Currency: United States Dollar 
Before your trip make sure to exchange enough U.S. Dollar for your spending requirements and to get the best exchange rates.

Plug Sockets: Types A and B
Ecuador uses types A and B plug sockets. The standard voltage and frequency is 120V and 60 Hz. We would recommend that you buy a plug adapter if you don’t have one already.

You can determine if you need a converter or a transformer by looking at the appliance rating plate. A dual voltage rated appliance will display for example ‘INPUT: 110-240 V’ on the appliance body. In this case, you wouldn’t need a converter or transformer.

© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.