🇪🇨 Ecuador travel: cost, safety & when to go

Galapagos wildlife, Andean markets and Amazon lodges in one compact country.

💰 Local prices ≈ 41% of the US (Nov 2026)

🛡️ Level 2 · Increased caution — Safety · per US State Dept (Nov 2026)

🌤️ Best time to visit Ecuador

The best weather in Ecuador is in August, September and November.

Things to do in Ecuador

🎒 Top things to do

• Galápagos wildlife — The Galapagos Islands let you walk among fearless giant tortoises, sea lions and blue-footed boobies.
• Old town (Quito) — Quito has one of Latin America's best-preserved colonial old towns, high in the Andes.
• Amazon lodges — Ecuador's Amazon, reached from the Andes, packs jungle lodges and wildlife into a compact area.
• Markets (Otavalo) — Otavalo hosts one of South America's largest and most colourful indigenous craft markets.

🗓️ What's in season

• Galapagos calm warm season (Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May) — Dec-May is the Galapagos' warm season — calmer seas, warmer water and great snorkeling.
• Highlands drier window (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — Jun-Sep is the drier window in the Andean highlands around Quito.

Visa (US passport): Visa-free entry · 90 days. Checked June 2026; verify before booking — rules change.

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