Compare the best eSIM plans for Ecuador

Ecuador has roughly 75% internet penetration and 4G mobile coverage exceeding 90% of the population (source: ITU DataHub, 2024). Four carriers share the market: Claro (~50% share), Movistar (~28%), CNT (state-owned, ~17%) and Tuenti (Movistar low-cost brand). Commercial 5G is live in Quito and Guayaquil since 2023 (Claro and Movistar).

• ●Excellent 4G in Quito (La Mariscal, La Floresta, Centro Histórico, Cumbayá, Tumbaco), Guayaquil (Malecón, Urdesa, Samborondón), Cuenca (Centro Histórico, El Vergel), Manta, Salinas, Loja, Ambato, Riobamba, Ibarra. Very good on the Panamericana (E35) and around accessible volcanoes (Cotopaxi: signal up to José Rivas refuge, weak above; Chimborazo: signal at Urbina village). Patchier in the Amazon (Tena: 4G, Coca/Puerto Francisco de Orellana: 3G, Yasuní and Cuyabeno: NONE deep, 3G/EDGE at river lodges), Mindo (decent 4G in the village, weak in cloud forest), Cotopaxi NP (signal at entrances, weak/none higher), Galápagos (Santa Cruz/Puerto Ayora: 4G OK, San Cristóbal/Puerto Baquerizo Moreno: decent 4G, Isabela/Puerto Villamil: limited 4G, Floreana and remote islands: weak/none).
• ●Average mobile speed ~25–45 Mbps download in Quito per Ookla (Q1 2025), peaking 200+ Mbps on 5G.
• ●Mandatory SIM registration (ARCOTEL law) for physical SIMs : passport required. An international travel eSIM avoids the paperwork.
• ●Great for Cabify and Uber (Quito/Guayaquil taxis), inDriver, Google Maps, offline Maps.me (essential for national parks, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa Loop, Galápagos outside towns), Booking, WhatsApp (universal), Yappy/De Una (mobile payments), Banco Pichincha (mobile banking), Aerogal/LATAM Ecuador (domestic and Galápagos flights).

Sources: Internet Society Pulse: Ecuador, ITU DataHub: Ecuador, Ookla Speedtest Global Index, ARCOTEL (telecom regulator)