Ecuador tours & holidays

Travellers from most nationalities need a visa to enter Ecuador. For more information, please visit the Government of Ecuador’s website or the Essential Trip Information.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.

You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

While tipping isn’t mandatory, tips are very much appreciated by service workers and guides. Leaving a 10% tip is customary in restaurants. Some automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill, in which case an extra tip isn’t required.

Ecuador is a country with a tropical climate, so you’ll need to pack clothes that are lightweight and breathable. Whether you’re up in the highlands, down in the Amazon or across the water in the Galapagos, make sure you’ve got good closed-toe shoes and a rain jacket.

If you’re headed to the Galapagos, bring sandals that can be used to walk over rocky surfaces, a swimsuit and sun protection.

If you’re going into the Amazon, it’s a good idea to have long, light-coloured, tight-weave cotton pants and shirts, along with thick socks, insect repellent and some binoculars.

Travellers should avoid drinking tap water in Ecuador. For environmental reasons, try to avoid bottled water. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found, as some hotels provide this. Remember to peel fruit and vegetables before eating and avoid ice in drinks.

Internet can be accessed at internet cafes and hotels in large cities and towns but is limited in rural and remote areas.

Mobile phone coverage is good in Ecuador’s cities but may not be available in rural and mountainous areas. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.

Ecuador has a mix of Western-style flushable toilets and squat toilets. Either way, always carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser, as these are not always provided. You’ll notice that most flushable toilets have a waste basket next to them. This is because toilets in Ecuador can’t handle toilet paper and will overflow if you try to flush it. Instead, always put used toilet paper in these baskets.

Ecuador is a relatively hassle-free destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers. Same-sex marriage was legalised here in 2019 and LGBT discrimination is illegal. In saying that, conservative attitudes still exist throughout the country and LGBTQIA+ travellers are generally advised to use discretion when it comes to public displays of affection.

If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group trip, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.

Most people can start to feel the effects of altitude at over 2000 m (6561 ft) regardless of age, gender or fitness level. Quito, as well as other tourist spots, sit above this elevation and some travellers might experience symptoms of altitude sickness, including shortness of breath, headache, nausea and loss of appetite. It’s important to take it easy, drink plenty of water and speak to your group leader at once if you feel unwell.

We recommend seeing your doctor if you have any health concerns before undertaking the trip. Particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition or take any medication.

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveller. Trips to Ecuador directly support our foundation partner, Galapagos Conservancy. 

Galapagos Conservancy 

The Galapagos Conservancy protect the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos. Donations from our trips support their Galápagos Conservancy Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WISE) program, providing critical capital for sustainability initiatives and building the entrepreneurial capacity of Galápagos women.

Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.