Travel insurance for Ecuador

To find a range of policies availablethrough the Compare the Market website, you can use our online comparison tool. All you will need to do is add in some key details, such as your age, destination and trip duration, and we’ll find the policies and prices available to you.

Keep in mind a cheap policy may not always be the most suitable option for you. Read through a policy’s PDS to ensure it’s a good choice for your budget.

What your travel insurance covers will depend on your insurer and level of coverage, though there are some common inclusions. With a comprehensive travel insurance policy, you may be covered for:

There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between Australia and Ecuador, which means a travel insurance policy that includes medical insurance is essential. Most travel insurance policies will include cover for medical care, including emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Medical cover is always important to have, but particularly if you’re travelling to somewhere with limited medical facilities such as the Amazon rainforest or the Galapagos Islands.

You never know when a trip interruption will hit, and being able to get some money back for non-refundable flights, accommodation or activities can be a sanity-saver when something out of your control goes wrong.

Many travel policies that cover trip cancellations, disruptions and delays will also generally provide coverage for emergency accommodation.

Unfortunately, tourists sometimes fall victim to petty theft – especially in the capital city, Quito, or the tourist-heavy Guayaquil – so cover for lost, stolen or damaged luggage can come in handy. This doesn’t just refer to your suitcase or backpack; it usually also includes personal effects such as your watch, laptop, medical aids and more.

Most items will include a limit or maximum amount the travel insurance provider will pay if your claim is accepted. Depending on your policy and insurer, you may be able to increase an item limit for an additional premium.

Accidents happen, and if you find you’ve caused bodily injury or property damage to others while on your trip, personal liability cover will assist you with the legal liability. This includes any applicable legal fees and usually has maximum amounts such as $5,000,000.

If an accident occurs in certain situations, you may find you’re not covered, regardless of holding personal liability insurance. For example, some providers won’t cover accidents that occur while driving a car or motorbike.

Natural disasters do strike in Ecuador; in fact, the Cotopaxi volcano in the Cotopaxi National Park last erupted in 2022. If there’s any volcanic activity or suspected volcanic activity at the time of purchase, your policy will likely not cover it. Floods and landslides are also common and won’t be covered if they begin before your travel.

All insurance products vary so to find out what’s included in your policy, as well as any terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, you should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

What your travel insurance coverage consists of will be dependent on your insurance company, but there are some common exclusions to keep in mind. These include:

• Adventure activities: This may include snorkelling, mountain biking, white water rafting and more.
• Altitude: If you choose to hike through the Andes Mountains, you may not be covered for altitude sickness depending on the height.
• Ignoring government advice: If Smartraveller has put out a warning to not travel to Ecuador or a certain area of the country and you choose to anyway, you may find your claim rejected.
• Illegal or reckless activities: Being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will mean your claims will be denied, as will any claims that are a result of breaking local law.

To determine whether your travel insurance policy has the inclusions you need, you can compare policies from different insurers. Be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of your chosen policy to ensure it’s right for you.

As of March 2026, Smartraveller has rated Ecuador as ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’ due to internal conflict. Despite this conflict, it is generally considered safe for tourists to visit Ecuador. Like any destination, it’s important to take necessary safety precautions and always be aware of your surroundings.

Some areas of Ecuador have a ‘Do not travel’ warning in place, such as within 20km of the border with Colombia (except the official border crossing at Tulcan). This is due to the high risk of kidnapping and violent crime associated with drug-related criminal organisations.

For the Galapagos Islands, Smartraveller advises Australians to exercise normal safety precautions.

No, travel insurance is not mandatory for mainland Ecuador, but it is for the Galapagos Islands.

Yes, it’s easy to compare quotes online of a range of travel insurance policies for Ecuador. All you need to do is use our comparison tool and enter a few key details, such as your age, trip duration and any add-ons you wish to include. We will then provide a range of policies for your trip that suit your budget.

There are some circumstances where vaccinations are required to visit Ecuador but, for the most part, Australians don’t typically need any. According to Smartraveller, you’ll need to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination if you have spent more than 10 days in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia or Peru.

Regardless of whether you have visited these countries, it’s still recommended to get vaccinated against yellow fever as it’s a common and widespread virus.