Ecuador, a small country straddling the equator in South America, is a mosaic of diverse landscapes, rich cultures, and abundant wildlife. From the majestic peaks of the Andes to the lush Amazon rainforest, and from the historic streets of Quito to the unique biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador offers a world of adventure. To navigate this varied terrain with ease, familiarizing yourself with the local currency and cash, cash and ATMs in Ecuador and payment methods is key. This guide will provide you with the essential financial information needed to explore Ecuador’s wonders with confidence, ensuring an unforgettable journey through this vibrant and enchanting country.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to travel on a budget in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Ecuador?
Ecuador has more than 1,200 ATMs available, mostly in cities and towns. If you’re traveling to smaller towns, finding an ATM might be challenging. They’re typically found at major transportation hubs and shopping centers, main high streets, bank branches.
You can find ATMs at:
- major transport hubs, central markets, busy tourist streets, malls, and near banks.,
- Central Markets,
- Busy tourist streets,
- Malls,
- Near Banks.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Small airports on islands,
- Bus stops in the area,
- The villages’ interiors,
- Hidden away in small towns, away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets,
- Remote resorts and retreats.
Best ATMs to use in Ecuador for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Ecuador are those owned by popular banks such as:
Banco Guayaquil,
Banco Internacional,
Banco Del Pacifico,
Banco Pichincha, and.
Produbanco,
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
Global ATM alliance: Global ATM Alliance is a partnership among many banks in the world to allow its customers to withdraw cash from all partner banks abroad without any ATM fee. Many banks in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Latin America are part of the Global ATM Alliance, including Bank of America, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, and others. BUT, there is no local bank in Ecuador part of this network. So don’t rely on this.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Ecuador, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in USD).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Ecuador, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in USD’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Ecuador?
Yes, many types of foreign cards are easily accepted at ATMs in Ecuador.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Ecuador.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs – In most cases, yes, they are open around the clock, every day of the year 24×7. You should have no trouble getting to any of them at any hour of the day or night because many of them are self-contained ATMs. Depending on the location, some bank branches may only be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in Ecuador?
Words Cajero Automatico or ATM are used or look for BanRed sign
PIN type
ATMs in Ecuador primarily accept 4-digit PINs. Longer PINs are generally not accepted.
Languages at ATMs in Ecuador
Ecuadorian ATMs offer Spanish and English as primary languages. If you need language help, Google Translate’s camera function is there, but take it slow as translations can sometimes be inaccurate.
If you’re not familiar with these languages, that’s totally fine. Try out Google Translate’s camera feature to instantly translate the text on your phone! Just a heads up – these translations might not always be 100% accurate, so it’s best to take your time and not rush through the transaction.”
Do ATMs in Ecuador work similarly as other countries?
Ecuador’s ATMs match the sophistication of those you’d encounter in the western world or Asia, with a familiar look and operation. Some might secure your card during use, so don’t forget it after withdrawing your funds.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in South America.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Ecuador?
ATMs in Ecuador dispense only the official currency United States Dollar (USD).
ATM withdrawal limits in Ecuador?
ATMs in Ecuador have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of US$ 200 to US$ 500, with the most common being US$ 300 or US$ 400.
ATM Fees in Ecuador?
There are some fee-free ATMs in Ecuador. Majority of the bank ATMs charge between US$ 0.5 to US$ 6.16 per transaction as ATM Fees to foreign cardholders. And a couple of bank ATMs do not charge fees to some specific foreign cards. So, there are limited fee-free options in Ecuador for a foreign cardholder.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Ecuador – something every traveller handling cash in Ecuador should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Ecuador?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Ecuador?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Ecuador. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Ecuador.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Ecuador ATMs?
In Ecuador, ATM safety varies based on location, time, and surrounding people. Muggings for cash are common, especially at night and in isolated or crowded areas.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Ecuador takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
Yes, it is possible. There are some fee-free ATMs in Ecuador. Majority of the bank ATMs charge between US$ 0.5 to US$ 6.16 per transaction as ATM Fees to foreign cardholders. And a couple of bank ATMs do not charge fees to some specific foreign cards.So, there are limited fee-free options in Ecuador for a foreign cardholder.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Ecuador?
Yes. You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Ecuador
Bitcoin ATMs?
No, there are no Bitcoin ATMs in Ecuador.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Ecuador
Bank of America: None at all
Citbank: No, there are no Citibank ATMs in Ecuador.
Barclays: None at all.
HSBC: Not present.
Standard Chartered: None at all.
