last edited Dec 11, 2019
Other Practical Information for Ecuador
Luggage and Equipment to Bring
For the coast and the Amazon, plan for both lightweight clothing and a light sweater for evenings and air conditioning in all seasons. For the Andes, warm clothing is of course recommended. In all cases, everywhere, also think about sun protection and especially rain protection, mosquito repellent (outside high-altitude areas), and good hiking shoes that are preferably water-resistant. As for the Amazon rainforest, rubber boots for walking in water are most recommended.
Communications
Telephone
International dialing code: (00 +) 593.
Internet
The internet is fairly widespread in the country. Most hotels offer this service, usually free of charge to their guests, while Wi-Fi is becoming more common in places like bars, restaurants, and other public areas. As for cybercafés, there are many (not just in tourist spots) and they often also offer telephone services.
Post
Post offices are mainly found in large cities. They are generally open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday mornings until noon. As in many countries, sending mail can take time; allow around 10 days for North America and 10-15 days for Europe.
Time Difference
Local time: for the mainland.
In terms of "local time," the mainland must be distinguished from the Galapagos islands, which have a one-hour time difference from the rest of the country. Quito and the mainland are on GMT-5, meaning 6 hours behind in winter and 7 hours behind in summer compared to France. The same applies to neighboring Colombia and Peru. The Galapagos archipelago is on GMT-6, one hour behind the rest of Ecuador.
Electricity
120 V (60 Hz) with "American" sockets (officially types A and B), which will require an adapter for French plugs.
Opening Hours
Laundries
Local Tourist Offices
Weights and Measures
French Language Use
When it comes to foreign languages spoken in the country, English is dominant in tourist areas or among young urban residents, while French is virtually unknown. In short, it’s best to have at least a basic grasp of Spanish, or secondarily English as a backup, to travel independently in the country.