Includes how to get to and from the country/economy as well as the different transportation options and their reliability within this country.
Last Published: 8/2/2016

There are a number of U.S. and international airlines servicing routes from the United States to Ecuador. Avianca, Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, TAME, Copa Airlines, and United offer a total of more than 100 flights arriving in Ecuador from the U.S. each week.

Two main international airports serve Ecuador, one located in Quito (Mariscal Sucre International Airport) and the other in Guayaquil (Jose Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport). Both airports are also used for domestic flights. Local airlines TAME, LAN Ecuador, and Avianca Ecuador offer regular service between the principal cities of Ecuador.

Taxis are plentiful, have reasonable fares, and are generally the most effective way of moving around within cities. For security reasons, the U.S. Embassy recommends that travelers use radio taxis, rather than hailing taxis on the street.

Car rental is available throughout the country, although it is expensive compared to U.S. rental costs.  It can be difficult to rent vehicles with automatic transmissions. Such vehicles should be specially requested when making a rental reservation.

Travelers should be aware that Ecuador has a high rate of auto accidents. Tourists and temporary visitors are allowed to drive for 90 days in Ecuador on a valid U.S. driver’s license and a passport showing the entry date stamp. While in Ecuador, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Although some of Ecuador’s roads and highways have greatly improved in recent years, road travel throughout Ecuador can still be dangerous, especially at night. Driving practices differ from U.S. standards, and drivers often disobey traffic laws and signals. Buses stop without warning to pick up or drop off passengers. Drivers often turn right and left from any lane, and rarely yield to pedestrians and cyclists.

If you are the driver of a vehicle involved in an automobile accident, even if you are not at fault, you may be taken into police custody, especially if injuries are involved or if you do not have insurance. If injuries or damages are serious, you may face criminal charges.

The following is a list of important transportation contacts along with their local telephone numbers and web addresses.

International Airline Companies

American Airlines                800-433-7300 (Reservations, 24-hour)
                                                04-259-8800 (Guayaquil)
                                                02-299-5000 (Quito)
                                   
Avianca                                 (5937) 245-5563 (Cuenca)
                                                (5934) 208-2316 (Guayaquil)
                                                (5932) 226-5385 (Quito)
 
JetBlue Airways                   800-538-2583 (U.S.)
                       
TAME                                     800-430-2471 (U.S.)
                                                700-500-800   (Ecuador)
 
LAN                                        866-435-9526   (U.S.)
                                                (1800) 000527  (Ecuador)
 
Copa Airlines                       800-359-2672 (U.S.)
                                   
United                                    800-864-8331 (U.S. Customer Service)
                                                254-662  (Quito)
 
Delta                                      800-241-4141 (Int’l Reservations)
                                                800-10-10-60 (Ecuador Reservations)
 
Domestic Airline Companies

Avianca Ecuador                 800-284-2622 (U.S.)
(formerly Aerogal)               1-800-00-3434   (Ecuador)
 
Executive Taxi Companies

American Taxi                      (593-2) 222-2333 (Quito)
J.J. Taxis                               (593-2) 263-9639 (Quito)
Fast Line                               (593-2) 222-2222 (Quito)
                                                (593-4) 282-3333 (Guayaquil)

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