Ecuador uses the US dollar, which makes prices easy to understand, but daily travel still depends a lot on cash. Small meals can cost around USD 3, hostel beds are often about USD 7–15, and many buses are still cheap. Cards work better in cities, bigger hotels, and some restaurants. But markets, local buses, small towns, and many budget places prefer cash. ATMs can be hard to find or unreliable outside major cities, especially on the coast or in smaller towns, so take out money in advance. Expect possible local ATM fees, use bank machines in safe places, and always decline dynamic currency conversion.

Ecuador has four very different zones. The Andes, Quito, Cuenca, Baños, stay mild to cool all year, often around 18–20°C in the daytime and colder at night. Hiking weather is usually clearer from June to September. The coast is hotter and tropical. The best beach weather is usually from December to April, while May to November is cooler and often gray. The Amazon is warm, humid, and rainy all year. The Galápagos has warmer, calmer seas from December to June, and cooler, rougher conditions from July to November.

The main problem in Ecuador right now is crime, especially in Guayaquil and parts of the coast. Many budget travelers keep Guayaquil short or skip it. Esmeraldas, Salinas, and some border or coastal areas also need extra care. In Quito, safety depends a lot on the area and the time. Some neighborhoods are fine, but isolated or quiet places after dark are a bad idea. Common problems include pickpocketing, bag snatching, fake taxis, and the spill or wipe-down scam. Travel in the daytime, keep phones out of sight, and use Uber or arranged taxis at night.

Intercity buses are the main budget transport. They are cheap and usually reliable. Medium or longer rides often cost around USD 4–5, though major routes can be more expensive. In Quito, you need the correct terminal: Carcelén for the north, Quitumbe for the south, and La Ofelia for Mindo. Flor de Valle runs Quito to Mindo for USD 3.60. Uber works well in cities and is the safer choice at night. From Quito airport to the center, it is about USD 22. Buy bus tickets at terminals or company offices, and keep your bag with you because theft is the usual problem.

The main travel health problems are stomach bugs, altitude, mosquitoes, and limited medical care outside big cities. Quito and other highland stops can cause altitude symptoms. Take the first day slowly, drink water, and do not begin with a volcano hike. Tap water safety is mixed, so use filtered or bottled water. In tropical lowlands, dengue and other mosquito illnesses are the main risk, so use repellent. Power cuts and remote travel can delay care, and clinics may ask for payment first. Good insurance is useful.

If you want a physical SIM, Claro is the easiest general choice. Reported prepaid offers include USD 5 for 3 GB over 3 days and about USD 8 for 10 GB over 25 days, and Claro also officially lists larger prepaid packages. Tuenti is another common option for longer stays, and Movistar is good in cities. Buy in an official shop with your passport or ID. Coverage is usually decent in Quito, Cuenca, and other big cities, but less reliable in smaller towns and along the coast. Online top-ups may fail with foreign cards, so recharge in person if needed.

Spanish is the language of daily life. Kichwa and other Indigenous languages are used in some regions, but for buses, markets, and cheap food, Spanish is the important one. English is used in tourist hostels, some tours, and parts of Quito, Cuenca, Baños, and the Galápagos, but it becomes much less common outside those places. Basic Spanish helps a lot here, and locals usually react well if you make a real effort, even if your Spanish is not perfect.

Daily life is polite, with lots of greetings, and it is fairly calm. Saying hola or buenos días before asking for something helps a lot. Ecuadorians are usually friendly and patient if you are respectful and not showy. In smaller towns, people may look at outsiders, but this is usually curiosity, not trouble. In the highlands, dress a little neater than beach-backpacker style, and cover up in churches. Tipping is light. Many restaurant bills already include 10%, and taxi fares are often just rounded up. Bargaining is normal in craft markets like Otavalo, but less common where prices are fixed.

Budget food is one of Ecuador’s better deals if you eat local. A classic option is almuerzo, a set lunch that can cost about USD 3–4 and usually gives you a full plate. Market meals around USD 3 are also common and help keep costs down. On the coast, seafood lunches are often especially good value. Expect ceviche, encebollado, hornado, llapingachos, and many rice-and-beans meals. Coffee can cost about USD 0.80, and bottled water about USD 1. Street food is useful and cheap, but choose busy stalls with quick turnover and avoid snacks that have been sitting there all afternoon.