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 19 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