Rules for overlanding in Ecuador

Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 4 March 2026.

Which licence you need

All vehicles — An Italian licence is recognised for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Check what applies to the licence you hold.

An International Driving Permit states the categories it covers: check yours covers what you will actually drive. A car licence does not cover a motorcycle, and a heavy camper or a truck can need a higher category.

At the wheel

Insurance — Third-party liability cover is compulsory.
Customs papers — A Carnet de Passage is required for vehicles imported temporarily.
Detained after a crash — Under local law every driver involved in a crash that caused serious injury or serious damage is detained immediately, while responsibility is established.
Roads and landslides — The road network has improved noticeably in recent years, but the terrain and the lack of signage mean driving carefully and staying off the road at night. Landslides are frequent in the rainy season and can damage or cut links, so check the state of your route with the transport ministry before leaving.
Buses — Use only bus companies of proven reliability. Crashes are frequent, caused both by the state of the roads, with slides and landslides, and by drivers who have been drinking.
Taxis — Do not stop taxis in the street: book by phone and note the registration plate. Check that the municipal register document and the driver's ID are displayed inside. Some Quito taxis carry cameras, panic buttons and a TRANSPORTE SEGURO marking.

What catches travellers out

Drugs — Personal use and trafficking carry the same penalties, from 1 to 25 years depending on the substance and the quantity found at arrest. Never agree to take packages or suitcases out of the country without knowing exactly what is inside. Serving the sentence back in Italy is only possible after a final conviction, part of the term served and the court fine paid.
Cash and ATMs — Because of counterfeiting, 50 and 100 dollar notes are rarely accepted, so carry nothing larger than USD 20, and be aware that fake dollars circulate. Cards are accepted in the bigger cities. Take great care at ATMs, where organised gangs prey on users.
Declaring valuables — Since 29 July 2025 anyone entering or leaving with cash, bearer financial instruments or precious metals and stones worth USD 10,000 or more must file the customs registration form with SENAE. The declaration is made online, and paper filing is accepted only in exceptional cases.
ID and 90 days — Carry a valid identity document at all times: without one the police can arrest you while they run checks. Tourism needs no visa for up to 90 days per year, counted from your first entry and not by calendar year, and someone who arrives having used them up is held at the airport until the next flight back. Entering for tourism on a one-way ticket brings the same treatment.

Before you rely on this

This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 4 March 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Ecuador before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.

Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 4 March 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.