The 60-second verdict
Flysimio is the clear value pick for Ecuador: 5 GB for 30 days on Movistar costs $22.50, against $99.00 for Airalo's cheapest 30-day Ecuador plan. The gap is that wide because Airalo currently sells Ecuador as unlimited-only, and unlimited is the wrong shape for a trip where you are up a volcano or on a boat for much of the day.
For a short trip the 1 GB / 7-day plan at $5.07 covers Quito and a volcano day comfortably. One useful quirk: Ecuador uses the US dollar, so there is no currency conversion to think about on the ground.
Flysimio Ecuador eSIM
$5.08 from · instant QR · 7-day refund
Flysimio Ecuador eSIM plans
Most travelers pick the 5 GB / 30-day plan at $22.50 — about $4.50/GB for Ecuador. Full live range (prices update hourly):
| Data | Validity | Price | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $5.08 | $5.08/GB |
| 3 GB | 15 days | $13.50 | $4.50/GB |
| 5 GBMost popular | 30 days | $22.50 | $4.50/GB |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $37.23 | $3.72/GB |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $73.15 | $3.66/GB |
Every plan: instant QR delivery, no physical SIM, and a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Ecuador eSIM comparison (2026)
| Provider | Plan | Price | Network | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flysimio | 500 MB / day | $3.15 | Movistar | |
| Flysimio | 1 GB / 7 days | $5.08 | Movistar | |
| Flysimio | 3 GB / 30 days | $14.33 | Movistar | |
| Flysimio | 5 GB / 30 days | $22.50 | Movistar | |
| Flysimio | 10 GB / 30 days | $37.23 | Movistar | |
| Airalo | Unlimited / 7 days | $35.00 | Otecel (Movistar) | Coverage & app |
| Airalo | Unlimited / 30 days | $99.00 | Otecel (Movistar) | Coverage & app |
Ecuador's networks
Three operators serve Ecuador: Claro, Movistar and the state-owned CNT. Claro has the largest subscriber base and the broadest rural reach; Movistar is close behind and strong across the Sierra and Costa. Flysimio routes through Movistar. For a traveller sticking to Quito, Cuenca, Baños and the volcano corridor, the practical difference is small.
Coverage by destination
- Quito — 4G/5G across the UNESCO historic centre and the Mariscal, plus Mariscal Sucre airport. Note the airport is around 45 minutes out of town.
- Cuenca and Guayaquil — 4G/5G throughout.
- Avenue of the Volcanoes — 4G at the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo park entrances; the Cotopaxi refuge at 4,800 m has 3G.
- Otavalo market and Baños — 4G, no issues.
- Mindo cloudforest — 4G in town, patchy on the trails.
- Amazon (Tena, Puyo) — 4G in town. River lodge tours on the Napo and Pastaza lose signal quickly.
- Galápagos — Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal both have 4G. Remote islands, dive sites and most cruise itineraries are offline.
A note on altitude, not data
Quito sits at 2,850 m and the Cotopaxi refuge at 4,800 m. Altitude drains phone batteries faster in the cold and, more importantly, affects you before it affects your phone. Coverage along the volcano corridor is genuinely good — the thing to plan for is a power bank and offline maps, not a bigger data plan.
How much data do you need?
A week across Quito, Baños and the volcanoes runs 2–3 GB for most travellers. Two weeks adding the Amazon or Galápagos lands around 5 GB — less than you would guess, because those legs are largely offline anyway. Buy 5 GB at $22.50 for a two-week trip and stop thinking about it.
Setting it up
- Buy and install on Wi-Fi before you fly — installation needs a connection.
- On landing at Quito or Guayaquil, switch the travel line on and enable Data Roaming for that line only.
- Turn Data Roaming off on your home line.
- Download offline maps for Quito, the volcano corridor and any Galápagos islands you will visit.
- Screenshot your Galápagos park permit and cruise details before you sail.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for Ecuador?
Flysimio on Movistar is the value choice — 5 GB for 30 days is $22.50 against $99.00 for Airalo's cheapest 30-day Ecuador plan, which is unlimited-only. Both providers use the same underlying Movistar network.
Does eSIM work in the Galápagos?
In the main towns, yes — Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal both have 4G. Remote islands, dive sites and liveaboard cruise itineraries are effectively offline, so download maps and documents before you sail.
Is there signal at Cotopaxi?
Yes — 4G at the national park entrance and 3G at the refuge at 4,800 m. Coverage along the Avenue of the Volcanoes is better than most visitors expect, but download offline maps before hiking above the refuge.
How much data do I need for Ecuador?
About 2–3 GB for a week across Quito, Baños and the volcanoes, or around 5 GB for two weeks including the Amazon or Galápagos. Those last two legs are largely offline, which keeps real usage lower than the itinerary suggests.
What currency does Ecuador use?
The US dollar. Ecuador dollarised in 2000, so there is no conversion to worry about and prices are quoted in USD everywhere — including the eSIM plans on this page.
Which Ecuadorian network is best?
Claro has the largest subscriber base and the broadest rural coverage, with Movistar close behind and strong across the Sierra and Costa. CNT is the state operator and the third choice. Along the main tourist route the difference is small.
Sources & further reading
Maya Okafor
Senior Travel Connectivity Editor
Maya has tested eSIMs across 40+ countries over five years of full-time travel — from Tokyo subways to Patagonian backroads. She runs Flysimio’s hands-on network and speed testing.