How much does it cost to travel to Ecuador?
You should plan to spend around $63 per day on your vacation in Ecuador. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $19 on meals
- $10 on local transportation
- $40 on hotels
A one week trip to Ecuador for two people costs, on average, $886. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Ecuador expensive to visit?
Ecuador is a reasonably affordable destination to visit. It is in the top 25% of countries in the world for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within South America, Ecuador is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Peru or Paraguay.
For more details, see Is Ecuador Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Ecuador?
The average Ecuador trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Ecuador travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$40
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$10
|
|
Food 2
|
$19
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$21
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
$10 -
31
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$6 -
18
|
Accommodation Budget in Ecuador
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Ecuador is $20. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Ecuador is $40. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Ecuador? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in Ecuador
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Ecuador is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $10 per person, per day, on local transportation in Ecuador.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$10
Typical prices for Local Transportation in Ecuador are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Ecuador, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Ecuador
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Ecuador can vary, the average cost of food in Ecuador is $19 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Ecuador should cost around $7.44 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Ecuador is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$19
Typical prices for Food in Ecuador are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Ecuador, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Coffee
$2.50
-
Hot Dog
$1.00
-
Empanada
$1.50
-
Ice Cream
$1.00
-
Coke
$1.00
-
Snacks
$2.00
-
A Quick Snack
$2.10
-
Snacks
$4.10
Entertainment Budget in Ecuador
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Ecuador typically cost an average of $21 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$21
Typical prices for Entertainment in Ecuador are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Ecuador, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Entrance to Waterfall
$2.00
-
2 Bike Rentals (1 Day)
$10
-
Day at the Spa
$45
-
Cost to see Waterfall
$2.00
-
Two Rented Bikes for the Day
$10
-
Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two
$8.00
-
Condor Park Entrance Fee (for 2)
$6.00
Tips and Handouts Budget in Ecuador
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Ecuador
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Ecuador is $2.69, as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$2.69
Alcohol Budget in Ecuador
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $12 on alcoholic beverages in Ecuador per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$12
Typical prices for Alcohol in Ecuador are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Ecuador, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Beers
$9.00
-
Beers for Two
$9.00
-
Beer
$4.00
Water Budget in Ecuador
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.46 on bottled water in Ecuador per day. The public water in Ecuador is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$1.46
Ecuador On a Budget
Cuenca, Ecuador
Ecuador is located in the northwestern part of South America and has a coastline along the Pacific Ocean. It is, perhaps, most famed for the Galapagos Islands, although there are many other destinations within the country including a large number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some of these include Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano and the city of Cuenca, among others.
The country is divided into four distinct regions. These include the Amazon Rainforest in the east, the Andean Highlands in the central area, and the Coastal Lowlands along the Pacific Ocean. Finally, the Galapagos Islands are remontely located about 1,000 kilometers from the South American coastline.
Many visitors arrive through the capital city of Quito. It's a fascinating city to spend some time and has a historic center that is one of the largest and best preserved in South America. It was also the first World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978, along with Krakow.
Ecuador has regions that experience almost all climates. It is tropical along the coast and cooler and dryer in the inland areas that have higher elevations. The Amazon Rainforest is also very tropical. Although the climate is quite diverse across regions, once you are in a region, the weather stays relatively consistent throughout the year.
At A Glance
- Many visitors choose to take a Spanish course while they're in Ecuador. There are many different private Spanish academies in Quito. Although the quality is variable, this is usually a great way to learn or improve your Spanish skills.
- Ecuador uses the US dollar as its currency and most places do not accept any other form of currency. Generally business is conducted with paper cash as opposed to credit cards. Larger bills are rarely taken as well, so it is best to have many smaller bills to pay with. You can break larger bills at most banks. Also make sure your bills are new and not worn, as older bills are often declined.
- Ecuador is among the safest countries in South America. The crime rate is relatively low, almost half of that in found in much of the United States. Some of the safest areas to visit include the cities of Cuenca and Laja, in the province of Azuay.
- Many people choose to give back a little during their time in Ecuador by volunteering. There are a variety of organizations you can volunteer with, but research the options thoroughly in advance. You can work on anything from conservation projects to building homes or teaching English. There are many third party organizations that can help you coordinate your options, or you may contact an NGO directly.
- Major cities have a good number of Internet cafes that travelers can use, and smaller towns usually have at least one option. The cost is low and the access is typically high-speed. Free wi-fi is available in some hotels and restaurants but is often password protected. They will usually give you the password if you ask.
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Top Tourist Attractions
Galapagos Islands: The most famed spot in Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are uniquely diverse and spectacular. They are found in the eastern Pacific Ocean and are quite remote and isolated, making them difficult and expensive to visit. They are 1,000 kilometers from South America and are made up of 13 larger islands and 6 smaller isles. There are travel restrictions that make visiting the islands even more challenging and the only way to reach the Galapagos is by plane from Guayaquil or Quito airports.
Amazon Rainforest: Ecuador is often overlooked as a great spot to immerse yourself in the diversity of the Amazon Rainforest. The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is one of the best places to visit the Amazon in Ecuador. There are other national parks you could visit, but this area is known for its biodiversity and indigenous communities.
Cuenca: This is a World Heritage City that was established 1000s of years ago. It sits at the intersection of five rivers and offers visitors a nice example of colonial Spanish architecture. It has a large old town with cobble stoned streets and is very clean and impressive to visit.
Popular Foods
Locro de papa: This is a famous Ecuadorian soup that is made with potatoes and cheese. It is usually garnished with avocado and served with a spicy aji sauce. The dish itself is quite simple and filling, and it is a staple throughout most of Ecuador.
Ceviche: Ceviche is a popular dish along the coast and is made with a cold seafood cocktail. The Ecuadorian variety is often served with "chifles," which are thin fried plantains, and popcorn.
Encebollado: This hearty fish soup is made with yucca and is common on the coast. It is tomato based and prepared the pieces of yucca and marinated vegetables. For crunch, some restaurants add "chifles".
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.