Ecuador ATM Travel Guide
ATMs in Ecuador don’t usually pose any challenges, however there are a few exceptions where we’ve heard of problems. ATMs can frequently reject your card or simply not work away from the cities. Examples being Mompiche, Canoa, Same, Isabela Island, Las Penas, Guamote, Ayampe and Puerto Villamil.
If there are no ATMs close by or the ATMs in Ecuador are not working with your card, or you want to avoid paying ATM fees, check back here for our guide below. It explains how you can send yourself money online and pick it up at an authorized local cash pick up point.
It is a very similar process to buying something online with your debit card and is probably the quickest way to send money to yourself in Ecuador.
There’s also currently a promo code so you pay NO FEE on your first money transfer.
Here are two useful links to find the nearest ATMs In Ecuador : Visa / MasterCard
Ecuador ATM Fees & General Information
Many ATMs in Ecuador charge fees. These are reasonable compared to many destinations and range from 50c to $2.00. ATMs not attached to banks tend to have the greater fees.
You will also probably get charged a fee by your own bank which is usually much greater than the local atm fee.
Having a Wise (formerly TransferWise) MasterCard can help reduce your home bank fees and gives a great exchange rate on purchases. With their borderless account / card you can hold your money in more than 40 currencies and use the debit card to get your cash out with low conversion fees and zero transaction fees. Click here for more info.
Withdrawal limits depend on the bank, but are quite generous at around 400-500.
This means helps you reduce fees by making fewer, but larger withdrawals.
Major hotels take debit/credit cards, but cheaper accommodations, tourist sites and restaurants may only take cash.
You’ll find Visa is the most commonly accepted card at ATMs in Ecuador, though there are an increasing number that also accept Cirrus/MasterCard.
Unfortunately, ATM fraud in Ecuador is not uncommon….. Check out our Travel Money Tips for what to look out for and more general information covering pre-trip planning, fees, scams, and general safety.
Getting Cash Without Using The ATMs In Ecuador:
– Send Money To Ecuador & Pick It Up Locally
With so many overseas Ecuadorians sending money home to their families, there are lots of local cash pick up points to collect these funds.
In a similar way, you can use your ATM card (debit/credit) or bank details to securely send yourself funds online through a reputable International money transfer service that has a partnership with a local cash pick-up point.
What’s more, it’s convenient, safe and cheaper than paying ATM withdrawal fees.
The Ecuador country guide below provides instructions on how you can send yourself money to pick up locally if there’s no ATM or the ATM is not working where you are.
Check HERE to see if there is a local authorized cash pick-up point where you are.
In Ecuador, this is any branch of:
- Banco del Austro
- Banco de Guayaquil
- Banco Internacional
- Servipagos
- Banco Bolivariano (Ecuagiros)
- EasyPagos
If there’s a branch locally, then follow the step-by-step guide below.
– Step By Step Guide…incl fee free promo code
Note: The process is quicker than the detailed guide suggests. It is currently possible to send from 50 countries, however, Israel and a few others are not yet included due to local government policies
- To begin, click World Remit LTD
(IMPORTANT: If you don’t see ‘Ecuador’ in the Choose a Country To Send To list, this is because you must first choose which overseas country to send money from. The “Send From” option can be found at the top of the page on PC/Laptop. On mobile it is the last option in the drop down menu at the top of the page represented by the 3 horizontal lines) - Once You have chosen ‘Ecuador’ as the Country To Send To, click “Get Started”
- On the next page make sure the Cash Pickup tab is ticked and click “Continue”
- On the next page, where it says “Select a cash pickup payout network” choose the local pick up point you identified to be convenient in the previous section.
- Enter the amount to send in your currency or receive in USD. The exchange rate & fee (which you can remove with a promo code later) will automatically show. Once you’re happy click “Continue”. You are then prompted to register / create an account.
There is no need for a referral code on this page as you will apply your fee-free promo code on the payment page as you process your money transfer. - Once registered you will input details of who you are sending the money to, so for the recipient, put yourself (as your name appears on your Passport) and use the address of your current accommodation. You will also be required to provide a local mobile number, however if you don’t have one, people have successfully used all zeros, or asked their accommodation to use their number. For the sending reason, select “Sending Funds To Self”.
- When it comes to payment details, it is important to make sure your name and address match the name on your Debit card and the billing address is used. Don’t forget to use the promotion code “FREE” (without quotes) on the payment page to get your first transfer FEE-FREE!
If your card payment fails for any reason, select the Sofort option and pay using your online banking log-in details. - Almost instantly you will receive a welcome email (don’t worry if this does not arrive) and a confirmation email of your transfer informing you to wait for a further email. In most cases this takes 10-30 minutes (longer if paying via bank details & not debit card or your financial situation is complicated). The final email will say whether identity / regulatory checks have been completed and inform you if your transfer is available to pick up. Note: Sometimes further information may be required from you before they can process the transfer in order to comply with regulatory requirements, however this is unlikely in most cases.
- Once complete just go to the pickup point you chose, show your Passport and for:
Banco del Austro, Banco Internacional, Servipagos and Easypagos: quote the 11-digit reference number.
Banco Bolivariano, Banco de Guayaquil and Banco del Barrio: quote the 8-digit reference number to collect your money.
We update this guide every month or so, however, if you have any feedback to help keep this guide up-to-date or make it more comprehensive and easier for others to follow, please Message us on Facebook
Sending Money To A Bank Account Instead
You can also use the above method to quickly transfer money to an overseas bank account, perhaps to pay for your accommodation or an activity. The promo code above for NO FEES on your first money transfer also applies for these transactions.
Click HERE for this service.
IMPORTANT: If you don’t see ‘Ecuador’ in the Choose a Country To Send To list, this is because you must first choose which overseas country to send money from. The “Send From” option can be found at the top of the page on PC/Laptop. On mobile it is the last option in the drop down menu at the top of the page represented by the 3 horizontal lines.
Once You have chosen ‘Ecuador’ as the Country To Send To, click “Get Started”
On the next page make sure the ‘Bank Transfer’ tab is ticked, click “Continue” and proceed with your transfer. Don’t forget to use the promotion code “FREE” (without quotes) on the payment page to get your first transfer FEE-FREE!
For more information visit this FAQs section.
Wise, formerly TransferWise is another service that also offers bank transfers. If you are new to the service, and follow THIS LINK, you will automatically pay NO FEES on your first transfer of up to £500 (or the equivalent amount in any other currency).
Arguably the best thing about them is that they give you the mid-market rate on the currency exchange, so it’s much cheaper than a traditional bank to bank wire transfer. You won’t need any SWIFT or IBAN numbers, just the name of the account holder, their account number, the bank name and branch location.
Useful Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecuador
Travel Money Tips
*** ATMs In Ecuador ***