Description
Ecuador packs a lot into a small country. UK travellers come for the Galápagos Islands, the colonial centre of Quito, the volcanoes along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, Amazon lodges and the Andean town of Cuenca. Many combine several of these in one trip, which means plenty of transfers, flights and bookings to manage.
With a travel eSIM, you can keep on top of it all with mobile data from the day you land. It works in parallel with your UK SIM, so your number from home remains in the phone, and the eSIM takes care of maps, messaging, translation and booking apps along the way.
Choose your Ecuador data plan
There are 17 plans for Ecuador. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 100MB – 1 day | £0.72 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £1.83 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £2.04 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £4.78 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £7.88 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £11.25 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £14.25 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £18.00 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £21.00 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £26.25 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £26.25 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £31.01 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £36.75 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £46.80 |
| Unlimited – 30 days | £74.78 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £75.24 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £146.72 |
- Stopover in Quito or Guayaquil: 100MB for 1 day or 1GB for 1 day is enough between flights.
- Week on the mainland: 1GB for 7 days for light use, or unlimited for 5 or 7 days if you stream or video call.
- Two-week mainland and Galápagos trip: 3GB for 15 days, or unlimited for 10 or 15 days, bearing in mind signal on the islands is limited.
- Longer journeys: 5GB, 10GB or 20GB for 30 days, unlimited for 30 days, or 50GB for 90 days and 100GB for 180 days.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Ecuador.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Staying connected in Ecuador
Mariscal Sucre International Airport serves Quito and José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport serves Guayaquil, the usual departure point for Galápagos flights. In the cities, data helps with ride apps, translating Spanish and finding your way around Quito’s steep streets.
Signal is reasonable in towns and along main highways, but expect gaps in the Amazon, on high mountain routes and in the Galápagos, where coverage is mainly around the populated towns. On boat trips between islands and on live-aboard cruises you are likely to have little or no signal, so download what you need first.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Ecuador, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Ecuador and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Galápagos: coverage on the islands is limited to populated areas and is often weak. Treat mobile data there as a bonus rather than something to rely on.
- Unlimited plans: as with most unlimited travel plans, a fair-use policy can apply. Check the latest FCDO travel advice for Ecuador before you go.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Colombia, Peru and Panama. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will I have data on a Galápagos cruise?
Only occasionally, when the boat is near a populated island. Most of the time at sea there will be no signal.
Does altitude in Quito affect the eSIM?
No, altitude makes no difference to the eSIM itself. Signal depends on local coverage, which is generally good in the city.
When should I buy my Ecuador eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
