Ecuador eSIM

Staying connected in Ecuador

Install a travel eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land in Quito or Guayaquil. AirOva sells Ecuador plans from $2.99, with a fixed amount of data or unlimited, all data only, with no calls, SMS or local phone number. GB plans run on Claro and unlimited plans on Movistar; each plan card shows whether it is listed as 3G, 4G or 5G.

Which Ecuador plan to choose

GB plans suit most trips, since maps and messaging take little data. Unlimited plans give unlimited data with no data cap and no fair-usage limit; you only choose the number of days, which suits long stays, remote work and video calls home. For how much data different trips need, see our Ecuador eSIM guide.

Claro, Movistar, Tigo and CNT

Ecuador has three mobile operators: Claro, Movistar and the state-owned CNT, which is not on our plans. Millicom, the company behind Tigo, has bought Movistar Ecuador, and the Movistar and Tuenti brands are gradually giving way to Tigo. Customers keep their numbers, SIM cards and plans, so your phone may show Tigo where the plan card says Movistar.

Arriving at UIO or GYE

Mariscal Sucre (UIO), Ecuador's busiest airport, lies in Tababela, about 18 km east of Quito; José Joaquín de Olmedo (GYE) is 5 km north of central Guayaquil. UK travel advice links many crimes to taxis hailed on the street and suggests booking through your hotel or a known radio-taxi firm, so land with data. After landing, turn off airplane mode, switch the eSIM line on, choose it for mobile data and enable Data Roaming for that line; the plan is prepaid, so roaming adds no charge.

The Galápagos, the Amazon and borders

Flights to the Galápagos land on Baltra (GPS) or San Cristóbal (SCY). Claro announced 4G in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz back in 2016, but we cannot confirm coverage on every island or at sea, so check with our support before you go. At Amazon lodges, expect to be offline. Overland, the main crossing to Colombia is the Rumichaca Bridge near Tulcán; before any border, check on the plan card whether your plan covers the next country.

Tip: before a Galápagos trip or an Amazon lodge stay, download offline maps and tickets on Wi-Fi. On board, switch to airplane mode with Wi-Fi on, and keep your home SIM in for bank codes with its data roaming off.