Travel Insurance for Ecuador
What Canadians need to know before travelling to Ecuador
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in Ecuador like diving, hiking and mountain biking
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip interruptions and lost luggage.
Don’t let its size fool you – Ecuador delivers a whole lot in a small package. In Quito, colonial architecture and high-altitude views set the scene, while the nearby cloud forests offer misty trails, birdlife and lush, green landscapes. Head to the Andes for volcanoes, hiking tracks and traditional villages, or drop down to the Amazon for rainforest lodges and river expeditions. Off the coast, the Galápagos Islands are a major drawcard for Canadian travellers, with close-up wildlife encounters that are nothing short of extraordinary. Back on the mainland, colourful markets, coastal towns and a strong food culture add to the experience.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different coverages or levels of coverage.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to Ecuador. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in Ecuador
Start in Baños, where you can canyon down rock faces, zipline across river gorges or raft the Pastaza River. Up in the Andes, Cotopaxi’s near-perfect cone sets the scene for hiking and climbing, while mountain biking routes drop fast through high-altitude terrain. In the Amazon, guided treks through dense rainforest, river journeys by canoe and night walks bring the jungle to life while, along the coast, travellers and locals alike come to Montañita to surf and to party – and there’s no reason you can’t do both. In the Galápagos, snorkel with sea lions, swim alongside turtles and reef sharks, then head ashore to commune with birdlife on volcanic trails – it’s like stepping into a wildlife documentary.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for Ecuador
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Fell over hiking in the Andes? Wiped out on a mountain bike descent and ended up in hospital? Ate ceviche past its prime and got a bad bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Emergency evacuation
If you get seriously sick or injured but you’re far from appropriate medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance can help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the policy limits, the cost to get you to the closest appropriate medical facility or to your home province for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies. If you’re in hospital for three days or more, it may also include the transportation of a family member or companion to your bedside or the return of a dependent child back to your home.
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having in Ecuador, things can happen that mean you have to finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Tips for travelling to Ecuador
- Altitude can take time to adjust to in places like Quito, so take it easy on arrival and stay hydrated
- Weather varies widely by region, so pack layers for cooler highlands and lighter clothing for the coast and Amazon
- Tap water isn’t recommended for drinking, so stick to bottled or filtered water
- Keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas, especially cities and on public transport
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for Ecuador. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit Ecuador?
Canadians don’t need a visa for short stays in Ecuador (typically up to 90 days). Entry requirements can change, so check before you go.
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Is Ecuador safe for travellers?
Ecuador can be safe to visit, but petty theft and opportunistic crime can occur, particularly in cities like Quito and Guayaquil. Political protests in recent years have also gotten violent. Stay aware of your surroundings, take standard precautions and keep to tourist-friendly areas. You also may want to consider travel insurance for unexpected situations.
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What is the best time to visit Ecuador?
Ecuador can be visited year-round, but conditions vary by region. June to September is generally drier in the highlands, while the Amazon is humid year-round. The Galápagos are good to visit at any time.
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Can I drink tap water in Ecuador?
Tap water is not recommended for drinking in Ecuador. Stick to bottled or filtered water.
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What currency is used in Ecuador?
Ecuador uses the US dollar (USD). Credit cards are accepted in many places, but it’s useful to carry cash for smaller purchases.
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Do I need a permit to visit the Galápagos Islands?
Visitors to the Galápagos must pay an entry fee and may need a transit control card. Travel is typically done through licensed operators to protect the environment.
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Do I need travel insurance for Ecuador?
Visiting the Galápagos Islands may require travel insurance, but the rules and regulations change somewhat regularly. Double check with your tour provider before setting out. Even if it’s not mandatory, cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.