Making Calls to Ecuador

To call Ecuador from abroad you must dial the international access code (011 in the United States) followed by Ecuador's country code (593), followed by the city code (listed below), and finally the number (seven digits for calls to Quito, Guayaquil, and cell phone numbers, and six digits for calls to the rest of Ecuador).*

The city/provincial codes for Ecuador are as follows:
Pinchincha (Quito) - 2
Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Pastaza, Chimborazo, Bolívar - 3
Guayas (Guayaquil) - 4
Galápagos, Los Ríos, Manabí - 5
Carchi, Esmeraldas, Imbabura, Napo, Orellana, Sucumbíos - 6
Azuay (Cuenca), Cañar, El Oro, Loja, Morona, Zamora - 7
All cellulars - 9

*Please keep in mind that, as of September 1, 2001, all Quito and Guayaquil phone numbers begin with a 2 and all cellular phone numbers begin with a 9. Accordingly, if you encounter a phone number for a listing within Quito or Guayaquil, or for a cellular phone, that is only six-digits, please remember to add a 2 or a 9 at the beginning of the phone number as the case may be.

Making Calls in Ecuador

In major cities, local calls can be made from sporadically placed street phones, owned in large part by either Bell South or Porta. A few coin operated phones may still be found, but most pay-phones now operate on debit cards that may be purchased from Bell South and Porta stores and booths scattered about the larger cities and in certain pharmacies and convenience stores. Remember that, when making calls within Ecuador from a pay phone, you must start by dialing 0, followed by the two-digit city code (listed above), before dialing the six- or seven-digit number.

It is also possible to make calls from tiendas (stores) that lend phones to the public; prices vary according to the owner's mood. The cheapest calls, whether local, inter-provincial, or international, are made at the offices of Andinatel (phone company). Fax service is also available at Andinatel. Expect to stand in line to use either of these services. Also, be prepared for not-so-organized service and dog-eared out-of-date phone books.

Because of the poor service, many people use the privately owned street phones, as well as cellular phones, to make calls. Net-phone, which we will discuss later, is the best option for calls to the United States.

The Huaorani. Photo by Andy Drumm. tropieco.com

Many indigenous peoples in the Amazon have traditionally thumped the buttress roots of large trees to send Morse code-like messages through the forest.

Collect Calls

Collect calls are possible to a limited number of countries. In the Andinatel offices, the call will be connected for you; from private phones you can connect with an international operator by first dialing 999, then the appropriate country code: Argentina (161) Brazil (177) Canada (175) Chile (179/166/168) France (180) Great Britain (178) Spain (176) Switzerland (160) USA (AT&T - 119, MCI - 170, Sprint - 171) and Venezuela (173). For more collect call country codes, look in the phone book or speak with an operator.

Net-to-Phone

Web-based phones like Net-Phone and dialpad.com are revolutionizing international calls to the United States. Though calling is currently limited to United States, it will soon expand to Europe and other parts of the world. Many of the Internet cafes (see the Email section below) in Quito support Net-Phone. The Internet cafes generally charge about 25 cents per minute, this can add up but it's much cheaper than calling with a calling card or collect. If you have access to a private computer that has either a headset or a microphone and speakers, you can also connect to dialpad.com, where you can make unlimited calls to the United States for free.

E-Mail

Internet cafes are becoming increasingly common throughout Ecuador, especially in Quito. Internet Cafes pepper the La Mariscal, Quito's main tourist and commercial district.

The services in Quito range from basic dial-up connections to top-of-the-line radio modems, offering additional services from pool to full meals. Take a stroll through La Mariscal or ask the hotel or hostel where you are staying. Other travelers that have spent more than a few days in Quito will also usually know where to find Internet cafes.

Postal Services

Air mail services between Ecuador and the Americas/Europe are generally quick and efficient. Postcards and air mail letters to the US normally take between 7-10 days, and to Europe between 10 days and 2 weeks. When posting airmail mark each one with POR AVION, otherwise it may not arrive until well into the next century.

The postage on air mail letters (up to 20g) and postcards sent to destinations within Ecuador costs thirty three cents while the postage on those sent anywhere else within the Americas and destinations worldwide is seventy cents and eighty six cents, respectively. Letters, greeting cards etc. cannot be sealed with Scotch tape. Instead you must use gum/glue, normally available in Correos (Post offices). Parcels can be sealed before being taken to the Correo, where the sender must complete a custom's declaration listing contents and value. Parcel prices depend on weight and destination. Two services are available: 4 week delivery and a more expensive 2 week delivery.

There are several stationery stores along Colón (between 10 de Agosto and Reina Victoria) and Veintimilla (between 9 de Octubre and Amazonas) where you can also buy boxes, tape, Jiffy bags, bubble wrap, art tubes and stationery in bulk. You can also find these items in the vicinity of Quito's many universities.

Letters and postcards can be quickly mailed from a number of hotels and shops in Quito as well as from the most conveniently located correo in the new town, on Reina Victoria and Colon.

Post Office Addresses in Quito:

Reina Victoria and Colón (Edificio Torres de Almagro): Mon - Fri 0730 - 1745 Sat 0800 - 1145

Espejo (between Guayaquil and Venezuela): Mon - Fri 0730 - 1900 Sat 0800 - 1400

Eloy Alfaro 354 and 9 de Octubre: Mon - Fri 0730 -1900 Sat 0800 - 1400

Japón and Naciones Unidas: Mon - Fri 0730 - 1900 Sat 0800 - 1400

Airport Mariscal Sucre (National Departures): Mon - Fri 0730 - 1900 Sat 0800 - 1300

Receiving Mail and Faxes in Ecuador

If you are working or volunteering you can usually have mail sent to your office. If you have an apartment you can also try having mail sent there, but make sure it is well marked and that the building receives mail.

In Quito, if you do not have an address or if expected mail does not arrive in a timely manner, you should go to the main post office at Eloy Alfaro and Espejo. All incoming mail and mail that does not have a specific address, or that has an incorrect or unidentifiable address, will end up at Espejo unless specifically marked 'Correo Central - Eloy Alfaro'. It is worth checking at both locations when trying to locate mail. Be aware that mail may have been filed under your first or middle name rather than your last name. To help ensure that your long-awaited letters reach you, capitalize and underline the letters in your last name. You will need to take your passport in order to claim any mail. Address letters as follows:

Jane TRAVELER (list only first and last names to avoid confusion)

Lista Correos (specify Eloy Alfaro or Espejo)

Quito, Ecuador

The letter should also be marked: Favor de retener hasta la llegada (Please hold until arrival).

Some embassies/consulates will hold mail for a specific period of time and even receive faxes on your behalf - before leaving home, you should check what services your embassy/consulate provides. Additionally, the South America Explorer's Club and American Express offices will receive mail and faxes on your behalf if you are a member/client. Some travel agencies, Spanish schools, and hotels now also offer e-mail, mail and fax services for their patrons.

On this page:Calls to Ecuador | Calls in Ecuador | Collect Calls | Net-to-Phone | E-Mail | Post Offices | Mail & Faxes |