Money & duty free for Ecuador
Exchange rates:
US DollarC$1 = US$0.75
€1 = US$1.04
£1 = US$1.24
Currency & Money
US Dollar (USD; symbol US$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents. Some coins are usual US cents and some are Ecuadorean centavos. They have the same value.
Major credit/debit cards are accepted in most businesses. ATMs are available at most banks in urban areas. On the Galápagos Islands, currently only Mastercard is accepted.
ATMs are available at most banks in urban areas. Note that dirty or torn notes will not be accepted. Try to keep cash in smaller denominations; shopkeepers tend to refuse $50 and $100 bills as forgeries of these notes are common.
Traveller's cheques are generally accepted in the larger cities and can be exchanged into currency at most banks and casas de cambio.
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$10,000 must be declared.
Ecuador duty free
The following goods may be imported into Ecuador without incurring customs duty if arriving by air:
• Alcoholic beverages: maximum 5L for those above 18 years old.
• Perfume: maximum 500ml per passenger or 1000ml per family.
• 1 mobile phone used or new.
• 1 computer monitor new or used.
• 1 TV used or new.
• Up to 2500 ml of creams, lotions, splashes per passenger or 5000 ml of creams, lotions, splashes per family group.
• Gadgets for disabled or senior passengers for personal use.
• 1 drone used or new up to the value of US$1000.
The following goods may be imported into Ecuador without incurring customs duty if arriving by land:
• Alcoholic beverages: maximum 3L for those above 18 years old.
• Tobacco: 3 packs of cigarettes
• Creams, lotions, toiletry and similar items for personal use.
• Medication for personal use. Prescription is needed for psychotropic medicines.
• Jewellery for personal use.
• 2 musical instruments.
• 1 used gadget: 1 mobile phone, 1 camera, 1 tablet etc.
• Personal effects up to US$500.
Please refer to the border control list for other items.
Prior permission is required for the import of fresh or dry meat, uncanned meat products and all plants and vegetables.
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