Buy travel money online

Currency

The US dollar is the official currency of Ecuador.

Interesting facts

Ecuador originally formed part of the northern Inca Empire, until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Thirty years later, Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government and then part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. Between 1819 and 1822, the territories of the Viceroyalty – New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela and Quito – gained their independence and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. It was only when Quito withdrew in 1830 that the traditional name was changed to 'Republic of the Equator'. During the first half of the 20th Century, Ecuador lost territories through a number of conflicts with its neighbours.

In terms of politics, voters approved a new constitution in September 2008; Ecuador's twentieth since gaining independence. General elections were held six months later (in April 2009) and President Rafael Correa
was re-elected.

Geography

Situated in western South America, Ecuador borders the Pacific Ocean at the Equator – between Colombia
and Peru.

Climate

The weather in Ecuador is quite tropical along the coast, becoming cooler inland the higher up you go. The Amazonian jungle lowlands also have a tropical climate.