Practical A–Z

EU Citizens & Swiss Nationals

As an EU citizen or Swiss national, you do not need a visa for Ecuador. Upon entry, you automatically receive a residence permit for 90 days. Requirements:

• Passport — Valid for at least 6 months beyond the travel date. An ID card is NOT sufficient.
• Return ticket — Theoretically required, but rarely checked. To be safe, have a return or onward ticket.
• Proof of financial means — Rarely required, but possible.

Galápagos Special Rules

Additional entry requirements apply for the Galápagos Islands:

• Transit Control Card (TCT) — 20 USD, purchase at the departure airport (Quito or Guayaquil) before check-in.
• National Park Fee — 100 USD (foreigners), payable in cash upon arrival on Galápagos. Ecuadorians: 6 USD.
• Luggage inspection — Strict control for invasive species: do not bring fresh food, plants, or animals.
• Return ticket from Galápagos — Mandatory. No boarding without a return flight.

Customs

Personal items are duty-free. Alcohol: 1 liter, cigarettes: 300 pieces. No illegal drugs, no weapons, no fresh food of animal origin.

Vaccinations

Mandatory vaccination: Yellow fever vaccination is recommended if traveling to the Amazon (below 2,300 m). Some countries require proof when traveling onward from Ecuador. Vaccination at least 10 days before travel.

Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies (for jungle stays). Refresh standard vaccinations (tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles).

Altitude Sickness (Soroche)

The greatest health risk in Ecuador is altitude sickness. Quito is at 2,850 m, many attractions in the highlands are even higher (Cotopaxi: 5,897 m, Chimborazo: 6,263 m). Symptoms: headache, nausea, shortness of breath, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite.

• Prevention: Take it easy for the first 1–2 days in Quito. Drink plenty of water (3–4 liters/day). No alcohol in the first 24 hours. Eat lightly.
• Home remedy: Mate de coca (coca leaf tea) helps with mild symptoms — available everywhere in hotels and restaurants. Completely legal and non-intoxicating.
• Medications: Acetazolamide (Diamox) can be taken prophylactically — discuss with your doctor beforehand. Ibuprofen for headaches.
• Warning signal: In case of severe headache, confusion, shortness of breath, or cough: descend immediately! The only effective treatment for severe altitude sickness is descent.

Malaria & Dengue

Malaria exists in low-lying rainforest areas (below 1,500 m) but is extremely rare among tourists. Discuss prophylaxis with a tropical medicine specialist if going deep into the Amazon. In the highlands and on the coast: no risk. Dengue fever occurs on the coast and in lowlands — best protection: mosquito repellent (DEET, long clothing, especially in the morning and evening).

Drinking Water

Tap water in Ecuador is not drinkable. Always buy bottled water (1 USD for 6 liters in supermarkets, 0.50 USD for a 0.5l bottle) or filter water (LifeStraw, SteriPen). Ice cubes in restaurants are usually made from treated water and are safe.

Travel Health Insurance

A foreign health insurance with repatriation is mandatory. Medical care in Quito and Guayaquil is good (private hospitals like Hospital Metropolitano, Hospital de los Valles), but significantly limited in rural areas and on Galápagos. In the event of mountaineering accidents or jungle emergencies, helicopter evacuation may be necessary — without insurance, this costs thousands of dollars.

General Situation

Ecuador is generally safe for tourists but requires a higher level of attention than Europe. The security situation has deteriorated in recent years — mainly due to drug trafficking, which particularly affects port cities (Guayaquil, Esmeraldas) and the Colombian border region. Tourist areas (Quito Old Town, Baños, Otavalo, Cuenca, Galápagos) are significantly safer and hardly affected by the problems.

Practical Safety Tips

• Pickpocketing is the most common issue — especially in Quito's old town, markets, and public buses. Keep valuables close to your body (waist pouch under clothing), do not display expensive jewelry or watches.
• Express kidnapping (secuestro express): Rare but possible in Quito and Guayaquil. Use taxi apps (Uber, Cabify) or hotel taxis at night, never hail a taxi on the street.
• Night: In Quito's old town and La Mariscal (entertainment district) after midnight, use Uber/taxi, do not walk.
• Copies: Carry only copies of your passport and credit cards, keep originals in the hotel safe.
• Emergency number: 911 (police, fire department, ambulance). Tourist police in Quito and Guayaquil: English-speaking and helpful.

The Layering Strategy

Ecuador requires a layered packing list as you may cross four climate zones in a single day. In Quito, a fleece jacket in the morning, a T-shirt at noon, a down jacket at the volcano, and shorts in the rainforest. Here are the essentials:

Highlands (Quito, Cotopaxi, Cuenca)

• Warm layers: Fleece jacket or light down jacket for evenings and high altitudes (above 3,500 m it gets noticeably cold).
• Rain jacket: It can rain in the afternoons even during the dry season.
• Sun protection: The UV radiation at the equator and at altitude is extreme — sunscreen SPF 50, sunglasses, hat.
• Comfortable hiking shoes: For cobblestone streets in the old town and volcano trails.

Coast & Galápagos

• Light, airy clothing: Shorts, T-shirts, sandals.
• Snorkeling gear: Your own mask and snorkel are more comfortable (Galápagos tours provide them, but the fit is often poor).
• Rash Guard / UV Shirt: Against the extreme sun while snorkeling.
• Water shoes: For volcanic beaches on Galápagos.

Rainforest

• Long-sleeved clothing: Against insects, lightweight and quick-drying.
• Rubber boots: Usually provided by lodges.
• DEET insect spray: 30% or higher.
• Dry Bag: For electronics.

Universal

• Travel adapter: Ecuador uses Type A/B (US plug, 110V). European devices need an adapter — and possibly a voltage converter for sensitive devices.
• Sunscreen SPF 50: Essential at the equator and at altitude.
• Copy of passport: Always carry it, keep the original in the safe.
• Medications: Ibuprofen (altitude headache), diarrhea medication, sunburn gel, mosquito bite ointment.