South America and South Atlantic Islands

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

Here's how we can help if things go wrong.

Registering with the British Embassy

We advise all travellers to register with the British Embassy using our on-line LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. 

Money

 

Besides Ecuadorian-minted 5c, 10c, 25c and 50c coins, which are used in parallel with the US equivalents, the US Dollar is the only legal currency in Ecuador.  Credit cards and travellers’ cheques are generally accepted in the cities.  You should ensure you bring enough money, in the form of US Dollars (preferably in small denominations up to US$20 notes), or travellers' cheques.

 

You should use your credit and debit cards with caution.  If you use an ATM, do so during business hours at a location inside a bank, supermarket or large commercial building.