Ecuador
Ecuador uses the US dollar, so American travelers skip currency exchange entirely — just bring small bills since change for $20s is scarce. inDrive is the most-used ride app (you name your fare), with Uber and DiDi also active in Quito and Guayaquil. WhatsApp is how everyone communicates and PedidosYa and Rappi cover food and grocery delivery; data is cheap, so an eSIM keeps you connected between cities.
🚖Rideshare & Taxi
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Driver-negotiated rideshare popular in Latin America, Africa, Central Asia, Pakistan.
The most popular ride app — propose your own fare and drivers accept or counter; great value in Quito and Guayaquil.
The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.
Reliable in Quito and Guayaquil with upfront pricing; a safer default than hailing street taxis at night.
China's dominant ride-hailing app, also big in Latin America. China uses a separate app (DiDi China) from the DiDi Rider app used everywhere else.
Competitive fares in Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca; frequently the cheapest option.
🗺️Navigation & Maps
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Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.
Good for driving and walking; download offline maps before heading to the Andes or Amazon where signal drops.
📱Messaging
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The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.
Universal in Ecuador — hostels, tour guides, and drivers all coordinate over WhatsApp.
🍱Food Delivery
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Latin America super-app: food, groceries, pharmacy, cash withdrawal.
Super-app for food, groceries, and pharmacy delivery across Ecuador's larger cities.
Latin America's home-grown delivery app — the most used in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and several Central American and Caribbean countries.
Ecuador's most-used delivery app for food, groceries, and pharmacy in the larger cities.
📶eSIM & Data
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eSIMs for 200+ countries, instant install. Avoid roaming charges entirely.
An Ecuador eSIM avoids roaming and keeps you online; Galápagos coverage is limited, so plan for offline there.
Is Ecuador one stop of several?
Add your other destinations and get one combined app list, with the adapters and currencies for the whole trip.
The practical basics
Power & plugs
- Plug type
- A / B
- Voltage
- 120V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
- Type A: Two flat parallel pins. Common in North America, Japan, parts of Central America and Asia.
- Type B: Two flat pins + grounding pin. Standard in North America for grounded appliances.
Identical to the US and Canada — North American devices plug in with no adapter or converter.
Tipping
Mid-range and upscale restaurants add a 10% service charge; leave a little extra for good service. Round up for taxis.
CurrencyUSD
Spanish you'll actually use
Etiquette and scams to know
✓ Do
- Greet with 'Buenos días/tardes' before asking anything; a handshake or cheek kiss is normal among acquaintances.
- Dress modestly when visiting churches and indigenous highland communities.
✕Don't
- Flashing phones or jewelry in crowded areas of Quito's old town and Guayaquil after dark.
- Assuming altitude won't affect you — Quito sits at 2,850m, so ease into the first day.
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Street taxis without a meter overcharging tourists — use inDrive, Uber, or DiDi, or agree the fare before getting in.
- Express kidnapping ('secuestro exprés') in unregistered taxis at night — only use app-booked or registered orange-plated cabs.
This page was last reviewed in September 2026. Apps launch, rebrand and pull out of countries all the time, so confirm anything your trip depends on. Spotted something out of date? Tell us — here's how we check.