Money in Ecuador

US Dollar — Ecuador's Official Currency Since 2000

Ecuador officially adopted the US dollar (USD) in 2000 and has no local currency. American, Canadian, British and Australian travellers do not need to exchange money — simply bring or withdraw USD. Euros and other currencies are not accepted in everyday transactions and can only be exchanged at major banks in Quito or Guayaquil (Banco Pichincha, Banco del Pacífico), typically at a poor rate. Carry small-denomination bills — larger notes are often refused at small shops, markets and rural transport due to counterfeit concerns, and torn or heavily marked bills may also be turned away.

ATMs in Cities — Carry Cash for Galápagos and Rural Areas

ATMs are plentiful in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca — Banco Pichincha, Banco del Pacífico, Produbanco and Banco Guayaquil all accept international Visa and Mastercard. In tourist towns (Baños, Montañita, Otavalo) there are usually one or two machines, but lines can be long and limits low. In the Amazon basin (Tena, Puyo, Coca) and deeper into the Galápagos, ATMs are scarce and often run dry, particularly on weekends. Stock up on cash before heading to Galápagos — Puerto Ayora has a few ATMs but they can't be relied on. The Galápagos National Park fee is payable in cash at Baltra or San Cristóbal airports, so arrive with enough cash for it already in hand.

Cards in Cities and Tourist Spots — Cash for Markets and Rural Ecuador

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at restaurants, hotels and shops in Quito's historic centre and Mariscal Sucre district, in Guayaquil's Malecón area and in the main tourist corridors. American Express has limited acceptance. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not meaningfully supported — contactless mobile payments are rare even in upscale Quito restaurants. In Otavalo's artisan market, on local buses, in community-tourism lodges in the Andes and in the Amazon region, cash (USD) is essential. Ecuador levies IVA (VAT) on most goods and services at a rate set by decree and adjusted periodically, so check the current percentage when budgeting rather than trusting an older figure.

Budget-Friendly Andes, Pricier Galápagos

Ecuador divides into two distinct budget categories. The mainland — Quito, the highlands, the coast and the Amazon — runs from simple guesthouses to comfortable mid-range hotels, with market lunches (almuerzo: soup, main, juice) among the cheapest meals in South America and long-distance buses inexpensive across the board. The Galápagos are a different budget entirely: accommodation, boat-based day tours and the mandatory National Park fee together make the islands the most expensive leg of most Ecuador trips by a wide margin — budget for this separately rather than assuming mainland prices extend to the islands. Check current rates directly rather than relying on a remembered figure, since both the fee and the tour market shift over time.