Ecuador
How to get to Ecuador starts with two airports and a clear choice: fly into Quito (UIO) to explore the colonial capital and the Andean highlands, or into Guayaquil (GYE) to reach the coast and the country’s largest commercial city. Both have multiple nonstops from the US, and the Galápagos Islands are a domestic flight from either. Ecuador sits directly on the equator — the country’s name literally means equator in Spanish — and covers a remarkable range of terrain in an area smaller than Nevada: Pacific coastline, the Andes with peaks above 20,000 feet, Amazon rainforest, and the volcanic Galápagos archipelago 600 miles offshore. One of the most traveler-friendly practical details: Ecuador adopted the US dollar in 2000, so American visitors don’t deal with currency exchange. US citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days. One practical note on Quito: the capital sits at 9,350 feet (2,850 meters), making it one of the highest capital cities in the world. Plan a day or two to acclimatize before intense activity.
Tourism Board
Why Go
Main Cities & Airports
| City | Airport | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Quito · capital, Andes gateway | Mariscal Sucre International Airport | UIO |
| Guayaquil · largest city, coastal gateway | José Joaquín de Olmedo International | GYE |
| Baltra / Galápagos · main Galápagos airport | Seymour Airport | GPS |
| San Cristóbal / Galápagos · secondary island | San Cristóbal Airport | SCY |
| Cuenca · colonial highlands city, UNESCO | Mariscal Lamar Airport | CUE |
| Coca · Amazon gateway (Yasuní National Park) | Francisco de Orellana Airport | OCC |
Ecuador has no national airline — the domestic network is operated by LATAM (LA) and Avianca (AV). Both carriers connect Quito and Guayaquil to the Galápagos, Cuenca, and Coca (Amazon gateway).
Key Carriers for Ecuador
How to Get to Ecuador From North America
💵 Ecuador uses the US dollar. No currency exchange needed for American travelers — ATMs dispense dollars and prices are in USD throughout the country. This makes Ecuador one of the most financially straightforward destinations in South America.
| Nonstop From | Code | Carrier(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸Atlanta | ATL | Delta Air Lines (DL) |
| 🇺🇸Houston-Intercontinental | IAH | United Airlines (UA) |
| 🇺🇸Miami | MIA | American Airlines (AA), LATAM (LA) |
| 🇺🇸New York-JFK | JFK | Avianca (AV) |
| 🇨🇦Montreal | YUL | Air Canada (AC) |
| 🇨🇦Toronto | YYZ | Air Canada (AC) |
| Nonstop From | Code | Carrier(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸Fort Lauderdale | FLL | JetBlue (B6) — confirm non-rev access |
| 🇺🇸Miami | MIA | American Airlines (AA), Avianca (AV) |
| 🇺🇸New York-JFK | JFK | Avianca (AV), JetBlue (B6), LATAM (LA) |
There are no international flights to the Galápagos. All visitors must first enter Ecuador through Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) and clear customs, then take a domestic flight. LATAM (LA) and Avianca (AV) both operate Quito–Galápagos and Guayaquil–Galápagos service. Baltra (GPS) is the main gateway to Santa Cruz island; San Cristóbal (SCY) is the gateway for the eastern islands. Most visitors fly into Baltra and out of San Cristóbal, or vice versa. Budget for two practical fees: a Transit Control Card (~$20 USD, paid on departure for Galápagos) and the National Park entrance fee (~$100 USD for non-residents), payable on arrival at the islands.
Common Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Ecuador?
No. US citizens can enter Ecuador visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism. No advance application or fees required — just a valid passport. Canadian citizens also enter visa-free. Always verify current entry requirements at iatatravelcentre.com before travel.
Can I fly directly to the Galápagos from the United States?
No. There are no international flights to the Galápagos Islands. All visitors must enter Ecuador through Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) first, clear immigration and customs, and then take a domestic flight to Baltra (GPS) or San Cristóbal (SCY). LATAM and Avianca both operate domestic Galápagos service from both gateways. Flight time from Quito is approximately 2.5 hours; from Guayaquil approximately 1.5 hours.
Which airport should I fly into — Quito or Guayaquil?
It depends on your itinerary. Fly into Quito (UIO) if your primary destination is the colonial capital, the Andean highlands, or you’re doing a circuit that includes Cuenca and the Amazon. Fly into Guayaquil (GYE) if you’re heading straight to the coast or want a slightly shorter hop to the Galápagos. Both airports have comparable North American nonstop options. If you’re doing a full Ecuador circuit, flying into one and out of the other is a common and practical itinerary — both Avianca and LATAM connect the two cities domestically.
Tourism source: Ecuador Ministry of Tourism (ecuador.travel). Cultural and heritage citations: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Galápagos entry fees: Galápagos National Park Directorate (PNG). Route data compiled from airline and airport schedules.