All country guides
- Capital
- Quito (UIO)
- Dialing Code
- + 593
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT -5
- Language
- Spanish
- Best Time to Go
- Year-round, depends largely on region
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
Travel Tips
- In Galapagos the time zone is UTC / GMT -6
- There are active volcanos – check before travelling to these areas.
- All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated, milk is unpasteurised
- Check the local political situation before travelling – there have been some disruptions due to political protests
- Travel to the areas surrounding the Colombian border should be avoided
Last updated 9 October 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador
2nd Floor, South Block, Brookfield Office Park, 272 Bronkhorst Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Telephone: 012 346 1662
E-mail: eecusudafrica@cancilleria.gob.ec
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1
February: 16 - 17
April: 3
May: 1, 24 - 25
August: 10
October: 9
November: 2 - 3
December: 25
Visa Requirements
South African passport holders do not require a tourist visa to visit Ecuador for a period of up to 90 days
Visa Information: www.cancilleria.gob.ec
Entry Requirements
For mainland Ecuador
- Valid passport (valid for 6 months)
- Useful information: ecuador.travel
If visiting Galapagos:
- Foreign tourists must have private health insurance, without prejudice to international agreements on free mobility
- Purchase your transit control card at the Quito and Guayaquil airports for $20
There is a fee for entry into protected areas
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
Yellow Fever
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio