Is Ecuador Open for Tourists? – Ecuador Travel Restrictions

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Ecuador started reopening its borders to international travel on June 1, 2020. Currently, Ecuador is one of the many countries that are open for tourism, and travelers from anywhere can visit.

All travelers must have a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours prior to boarding or a certificate of vaccination for COVID-19, where the final dose was received at least 14 days prior to boarding. They must also complete a Health Declaration Form. Additionally, travelers may be subject to random rapid antigen testing on arrival.

All international tourists traveling to the Galapagos must present either a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of entry or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate where the final dose was received at least 14 days prior to travel. They must also have a transit control card from the Galapagos Government Council and pay an entry fee to enter the Galapagos National Park.

Can I travel to Ecuador right now?

You can travel to Ecuador from any country right now. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Ecuador at the moment.

Ecuador - EN

Ecuador COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Ecuador has two main entry requirements for travelers.

Ecuador COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

All travelers must have a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of boarding or a certificate of vaccination for COVID-19. They must also submit a Health Declaration Form.

Upon arrival in Ecuador, all travelers will be subject to temperature checks. They may also be subject to random rapid antigen testing.

All international tourists traveling to the Galapagos must either present a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of entry or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate where the final dose was received at least 14 days prior to travel.

Travelers must also have a transit control card from the Galapagos Government Council and pay an entry fee to enter the Galapagos National Park.

Travelers from Brazil and India must present a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of boarding, regardless of their vaccination status. They must also self-isolate for 10 days from their arrival.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Ecuador

If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you should present a certificate of vaccination for COVID-19 on arrival in Ecuador in lieu of a negative RT-PCR test result or negative antigen test. You do not need to take a RT-PCR test or antigen test to enter Ecuador, unless you are traveling from Brazil or India.

You must have received the final dose of your vaccine at least 14 days prior to traveling to Ecuador.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Ecuador

Also, if you have been previously diagnosed as COVID positive and it’s been more than a month since you started having symptoms, you can present a medical certificate that confirms your recovery and current good health as an alternative to presenting a negative PCR test result.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Ecuador?

All travelers must have a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to boarding or a certificate of vaccination for COVID-19.

Children under the age of 2 are exempt from testing and certificate of vaccination requirements.

All international tourists traveling to the Galapagos must have a negative RT-PCR test result from within 72 hours of entry or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate where the final dose was received at least 14 days prior to travel.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Ecuador?

There is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Ecuador as long as you don’t test positive if you are randomly given a rapid antigen test on arrival.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Ecuador?

You may undergo a random rapid antigen test on arrival in Ecuador. If you test positive, you must self-isolate for 10 days at your residence or accommodation. If your test is negative, you do not have to self-isolate.

Travelers who are coming from Brazil or India must self-isolate for 10 days from their arrival at their residence or accommodation at their own expense.

Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Ecuador

You are not required to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Ecuador, but you really shouldn’t travel without it.

Heymondo is a great option for travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage. Their policies have come out on top every time we compare travel insurance because they offer extensive coverage, particularly for COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad, for an affordable price. You can even save 5% on their policies with the discount link below.

Other travel restrictions for Ecuador during COVID-19

Ecuador has a few other travel restrictions in place:

• All travelers must submit a Health Declaration Form.

• All travelers to the Galapagos must have a transit control card. They must also pay an entry fee to enter the Galapagos National Park.

• All travelers will undergo temperature checks upon arrival in Ecuador.

• All travelers may be subject to random rapid antigen testing on arrival.

• Face masks are required in all public areas.

• Social distancing rules must be observed.

• You may need a tourist visa to visit Ecuador. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in Ecuador

There is plenty to do in Ecuador at the moment because lots of places are open, including hotels, restaurants, beaches, and attractions.

Hotels that are open in Ecuador

Hotels in Ecuador are open to travelers and tourists alike. There are lots of great places to stay, but these happen to be our favorites:

• Hotel Casa Gangotena Quito
• Swissôtel Quito
• Hotel del Parque Guayaquil
• Sheraton Guayaquil

Guests must wear face masks in all public areas and sanitize their hands before entering the accommodation. They must also complete a questionnaire on any symptoms they may be having. Cleaning and disinfection of accommodations will be frequent and thorough.

More information on hotel regulations is available here (in Spanish).

Beaches that are open in Ecuador

Beaches in Ecuador are open, but there are increased health and safety measures in place.

Beaches that are open in Ecuador

Beaches’ reopenings are being monitored via the Distancia2 app. Beachgoers must keep at least 2 meters apart from other beachgoers who are not part of their household. Masks must be worn at all times when beachgoers are not in the water. Umbrellas must be set up 3 meters apart from other umbrellas.

More information on beach regulations is available here (in Spanish).

Attractions that are open and tours that are operating in Ecuador

Ecuador has many amazing attractions to visit, including El Cajas National Park, the Cascada El Pailon waterfall, and Guayaquil Historic Park. Fortunately, attractions in Ecuador are currently open and tours are operating. We highly recommend these tours:

• Quito: Cotopaxi National Park Full-Day Tour
• Quito: Full-Day Ciudad Mitad del Mundo Tour
• Quito: Quilotoa Lagoon Full-Day Tour

On tours and at attractions, guests must wear masks at all times and keep a distance of 2 meters away from others who are not in their household. Many attractions require reservations, so be sure to check if you need to make a reservation before you visit. Group sizes and attraction capacities may be limited.

At indoor attractions, guests must disinfect their shoes. On tours, guests should disinfect and/or wash their hands, particularly before eating or drinking.

You can find more details on tour regulations here and here (both in Spanish).

Restaurants that are open in Ecuador

Hungry for some delicious Ecuadorian food? Luckily, restaurants in Ecuador are currently open.

Restaurants are currently limited to 50% capacity for indoor dining and 75% capacity for outdoor dining.

Restaurants that are open in Ecuador

Hand sanitizer will be available for guests to sanitize their hands. Tables will be placed at least one meter apart in outdoor dining areas and at least two meters apart in indoor dining areas.

More details on restaurant regulations can be found here (in Spanish).

Airports that are open in Ecuador

Ecuador’s busiest airports, Quito Mariscal Sucre, Guayaquil, Seymour, and Cuenca Mariscal Lamar, are open and commercial flights are operating.

Travelers must wear masks at all times and keep a distance of 2 meters away from others. All travelers will undergo temperature checks on arrival and may be subject to random rapid antigen testing.

Curfew in Ecuador

There is no curfew in Ecuador at this moment. 

Where to get a PCR test in Ecuador

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Ecuador, you can find more information on getting tested here.

Ecuador reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to Ecuador reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

We will update this guide on Ecuador reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Ecuador, you can check these official sources:

• US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Ecuador
• CDC Travel Recommendations for Ecuador
• General Ecuador Travel Advisory
• Travel Safe in Ecuador: Entry Requirements in English and Spanish
• Information on Current Entry Requirements in Spanish
• Current Entry Requirements in Spanish
• Guayaquil Airport FAQs about Entry Requirements and Airport Protocols in Spanish
• Ecuador Coronavirus Website in Spanish
• Regulations for Hotels, Attractions, Beaches, and Restaurants in Spanish
• Health Declaration Form