Time Difference
Ecuador is five hours behind GMT and the clocks do not change seasonally, so in the summer they are six hours behind.
Money
The local currency is the US dollar. Sucre, the old national currency, has not existed since 2000. We would advise you to take dollars in small denominations, although Visa and MasterCard are also widely accepted in shops. Bank hours are generally open from 09:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday. Some banks have offices that open on Saturdays in shopping malls.
Electricity
Standard voltage is 120 volts. Plug types A and B are used, so you will need to bring a US adapter.
Shops and Amenities
Shops are usually open daily between 09:00. and 19:00, although large shopping centres are open every day from 10:00.
Media
Two of the biggest newspapers in Ecuador are El Universo and El Comercio, which are both widely distributed.
Post
Postal rates are high in Ecuador, so it usually costs around $2.25 to send a postcard to Europe. In all major cities, you will find post offices where you can buy stamps (they can also be found at kiosks at some airports). It should take around seven to ten days for post to reach Europe, although occasionally it can be very slow and take more like two to three months. We recommend using post offices directly rather than handing post over to the reception of your hotel. Post offices are open 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, and 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays.
Phone
To call Ecuador from the UK, dial 00 593 plus the area code without the initial 0, followed by the number of your correspondent. To call the UK from Ecuador, dial 00 44 plus the number of your correspondent without the initial 0. For internal calls, you do not need to dial the area code if you’re within the same area. Domestic telephone connections (including in the Galapagos Islands) are quite good.
Internet and Mobile Coverage
Wi-Fi is widespread across Ecuador and some public spaces in large cities have free Wi-Fi access, although speeds may be slow. Mobile coverage is generally good but can depend on your operator, so check with them before travel.
Currency
USD
