Money and Budgets

Ecuador adopted the US dollar in late 2000, making dealing with money easier than in many countries - particularly for citizens of the US! If you bring cash, we recommend you don't bring notes higher than a $50 bill, since changing a $100 bill is pretty hard. $20 bills are the best.

In all the major cities and large towns of Ecuador you will find banks with ATMs where you can withdraw cash with a Visa or Mastercard card. You can change travellers' cheques in many banks and bureau de change (casas de cambio). In smaller cities and in the countryside, it's best to take cash.

Most schools do not accept credit cards as payment, so it's best to pay with cash or travellers' cheques. The most accepted cheques are American Express, in denominations not greater than $100. There is an American Express office in Quito to deal with problems.

Since dollarization, prices have risen in Ecuador in general. However, for the foreigner they are still cheap in comparison to any northern hemisphere country.

Costs will vary hugely depending on what kind of activities a student will enjoy during their time in Ecuador and Quito, but here we give an idea of prices and what to expect to pay:

• You can get lunch or dinner throughout the city from $1.50 to $3 upwards.
• Lunch at a medium category restaurant will cost between $5-10.
• Bottle of Ecuadorian beer: $1-2
• Entrance to a disco: $5-7
• Cinema ticket: $4 (less on certain days)
• One hour in an internet café: $1
• Bus ride in Quito: 25 cents
• Bus ride outside of Quito: roughly $1 per hour of the journey.
• Short taxi ride in Quito: minimum $1, $2 at night.
• Tours in Galapagos: $80-300 per day (not including air fare, around $380 return, plus national park entrance fee $100)
• Tour with tour operator: $30 to $60 per day.
• Airport leaving tax: $25 cash.