How to Travel Ecuador on a Student Budget: Budget Travel in Ecuador
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Ecuador is a great country to visit on a budget, even if you’re a college student! Planning a trip to Ecuador? Keep reading to find out how to travel Ecuador on a student budget!
Located on the Pacific coast between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador is bursting with incredible landscapes, rich history, and biodiversity unlike anywhere else on earth.
This makes it a must-see for anyone traveling to South America, even if you’re a college student traveling on a budget.
From cities built in the mountains to the Amazon basin and the cozy beach towns that dot the coast, this little country packs a big punch.
Famous amongst the backpacker community for being inexpensive, Ecuador is a great pick for student travelers looking to make the most out of their trip.
Visitors should note that Ecuador’s currency is the American dollar.
This is a guest post by Lina from Bucket List Places.
A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here.
Best Places to Visit in Ecuador on a Student Budget
Ecuador is about the same size as the state of Nevada, meaning you can see a lot of it in a relatively short time frame. If you’re on a budget, you can probably cross the Galapagos Islands off of your itinerary, leaving you plenty of time to see some of the country’s other main attractions (though with proper planning, it is possible to visit the Galapagos on a budget).
If you’re flying into the country, your first stop will likely be the capital, Quito. This is an excellent place to base yourself for cheap and do the many day and weekend trips from Quito available to you.
Whether you’re passing through or staying a few days in Quito, take a few hours to stroll through the historic Old Town to see picturesque colonial architecture and beautiful old churches. The TeléferiQo (cable car) up to Volcán Pinchincha is also a must-see, and at $8.50, the views alone are worth the trip. Once at the top, you can hike to the summit, or just take in the breathtaking views.
If you have time, consider taking a day trip to Mitad del Mundo. Translating to “middle of the earth”, the monument is situated on the equator, allowing you to have one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern. Entrance to the monument and museum is only $8, and you could easily spend a whole day here learning about the indigenous people of Ecuador.
READ MORE: 13 of the Best Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador
If you’re interested in exploring the Amazon while in Ecuador, head to Baños. To really immerse yourself in the Amazon, you will need to pay for a guide. This can be pricey, so those on a student budget should just stick to the outlying town of Baños. This verdant city is known as the adventure capital of the country. While in Baños, you’ll be able to rent bikes, go rafting, hiking, bungee jumping, and hunt for waterfalls – all without breaking the bank.
Located on the Santa Elena Peninsula, Montañita is a tourist hot spot and has been enticing beach bums from all over since the 1960s. If you are into surfing, this place is definitely for you. For those that haven’t surfed before, it’s a great place to learn how to surf, or just relax on the picture-worthy beach. Accommodation can be more expensive here than in other parts of Ecuador, so it’s best to book in advance if you want to experience this beach town. There are several hostels in town that will give you the opportunity to stay for around $15 a night.
Mindo is a beautiful village located in Ecuador’s cloud forest. Mindo is the perfect place to enjoy nature – the town is the perfect place for bird watching or hiking to waterfalls. If you’re in the mood for an adrenaline rush, you can also zipline over the cloud forest in Mindo for an unforgettable experience. The best part? Everything is super affordable! Ziplining in Mindo is just $20 a person. Other fun and affordable Mindo activities include visiting a chocolate factory, a cable car ride to a waterfall hike, and exploring by bike.
Best Ecuador Lodging on a Student Budget
Accommodation in Ecuador is famously cheap, so students on a budget will have plenty of options to rest their heads no matter where they are in the country.
Hostels are one of the best options, usually priced between $8-$12 a night for a bed in a shared dormitory. Most offer free Wi-Fi, and many include free breakfast. For those that don’t have free breakfast, it is often a nominal cost and can fill you up for a day of exploring. Ecuador is home to some of the best hostels in South America, including Community Hostel in Quito and Princesa Maria in Baños.
- Find great hostels for your trip to Ecuador on Booking.com or HostelWorld
Hotels are only slightly more expensive, starting around $18 a night. If you’re after a place with a swimming pool options start around $25 a night. This varies based on where you are in the country but in major cities it shouldn’t be an issue to find accommodations at a very reasonable price.
- Check out hotels in Ecuador on Booking.com
Booking a vacation rental is a great option if you’re traveling with a bigger group, with average nightly stays for larger accommodations coming in around $90.
- Check out all of Ecuador’s vacation rentals to find the perfect place to stay, including this Quito apartment with an incredible view.
Best Ecuadorian Food on a Budget
Ecuador serves up some seriously delicious dishes with a small price tag. Local cuisine is usually cheaper than western-style meals, so even students on a budget will be able to try the dishes this country is famous for.
Breakfast is usually the cheapest meal of the day, and won’t cost you more than $1-$2.50. A traditional breakfast usually includes eggs and either rice or potatoes.
Lunch is the biggest meal of the day in Ecuador, and you’ll find restaurant prices to be extremely reasonable. Stick with local cuisine and you’ll find almuerzo specials on nearly every menu between $3-$5. Almuerzo (lunch) often includes soup, a main course, and a drink – typically fresh juice. Keep in mind that bigger cities often mean bigger price tags when it comes to dining out.
Dinner is a great time to try some street food, which you’ll be able to find in almost every city and town for just a few dollars. Don’t miss the famous cuy (guinea pig), which is a local delicacy. Other local favorites include ceviche (fish marinated with fruit juices and veggies), locro de papa (cheese and potato soup), and encebollado (fish and yucca soup).
If you find yourself in Mindo and saved up some money to splurge on a good meal, one of the best restaurants in Mindo is Cuyana. While their individual plates are not very expensive, make sure to ask for the 7 course tasting menu for a one-of-a-kind culinary experience.
As far as alcohol goes, Ecuadorian beer will be your cheapest option. A beer usually runs between $1-$2 at local joints.
Make sure to tally up the cost for bottled water each day, as the tap water is generally not safe to drink. Buy water by the gallons and refill a reusable water bottle to save on cost and save the planet. To avoid this extra cost and to cut down on waste, consider buying a water bottle with a built-in purifier before you go.
Getting around Ecuador on a Student Budget
The best way to get around Ecuador on a budget is indisputably via bus. Cross-country travel usually costs between $1-$2 per hour, making it a much cheaper option than flying between cities.
Quito has a local bus around the city for $0.25 a ticket and is the only city with designated stops. In other cities, you will have to flag the bus down and know where to get out.
If intercity travel by taxi feels safer to you, don’t hesitate to haggle with your driver, as most don’t use meters outside of Quito. Make sure to request a taxi only from a hotel as certain cities have taxi schemes that you should avoid. Uber also works in Ecuador and is sometimes cheaper (and safer) than a taxi.
Ecuador on a Budget: Daily Costs
Students on a budget can expect to pay as little as $25 to $30 a day when you consider accommodation, food, and transportation.
Entertainment varies depending on the city you are in, but museums, excursions, and other entrance fees can range anywhere between $3-$20. For a free activity, consider volunteering. It’s a good way to learn more about the people of Ecuador and their culture without spending a penny. Plant trees, build houses, or teach English. Be sure to research organizations in advance so that you know you’re contributing to a good, sustainable cause.
Remember to carry small change with you, as bills larger than $10 are often hard to break in smaller towns. Make sure to also inform your bank that you will be traveling to Ecuador so ATM withdraw attempts don’t get blocked. To save on ATM fees, consider getting a bank account that offers fee-free ATM withdrawals such as the Charles Schwab Investor Checking Account.
MONEY-SAVING TIP
If you’re a student, don’t forget to bring along your student ID! Many activities and attractions offer discounts just for students.
Also, consider applying for an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). This card is an internationally recognized proof of student status and makes you eligible for thousands of discounts in Ecuador and elsewhere in the world!
Don’t forget travel insurance!
Travel insurance might seem like an unnecessary added expense, but it’s definitely something you’ll want to budget for when visiting Ecuador (or any other destination!). In the case of an emergency illness, injury, or robbery, travel insurance will help cover unexpected costs (that are likely way more than your student budget can handle). It’s a small investment to pay for peace of mind.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for visitors to Ecuador. Check out their plans to see if World Nomads is right for you.
Visiting Ecuador on a Student Budget
As you can see, Ecuador is one of the best countries to visit on a budget, especially a student budget. Accommodation, food, and activities are all super affordable, and the country has so much to offer.
Planning a trip to Ecuador? You might find these posts helpful:
- 3 Days in Quito, Ecuador: The Perfect Itinerary and Travel Guide
- 13 of the Best Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador
About the Author: Lina is a blogger and writer at Bucket List Places. Bucket List Places sets out to help people discover the most epic destinations, experiences and places to eat and stay from around the world.
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