Welcome to Ecuador! This detailed motorcycle travel guide is packed with info covering everything you need to know about motorcycle travel in Ecuador including paperwork, routes, safety, top tips and more. If you’re planning an overland motorcycle adventure in Ecuador – start here.
This Ecuador motorcycle travel guide is based on our ride through Ecuador during our round the world trip. The guides on this website are constantly updated with info to keep them up-to-date.
Contents
Motorcycle Travel Guide Ecuador
By Andy Davidson
Mad or Nomad: Round the World Motorcycle Traveller
Ecuador is a stunning little country in northwest corner of South America. Roughly the size of the UK or the state of Arizona, it’s small but offers so much. With three distinct regions: the Pacific Coast to the west, the Andes Mountains running down the centre and the Amazon to the east – it has it all. And that makes it an incredible country to explore on two wheels. Whether you’re flying in to rent or are on a ride through the Americas, this detailed guide covers everything you need to know about motorcycle travel in Ecuador.
READ MORE: All Ecuador Guides
Our motorcycle ride through Ecuador
We (Andy and Alissa from Mad or Nomad) are on a round the world motorcycle trip and entered Ecuador in November 2024. This guide is based on our experiences and what we learnt. We spent just shy of one month in Ecuador and absolutely loved it. For more info on our ride through the country and what we got up to, have a read of our Ecuador Blog.
READ MORE:
Paperwork
For motorcycle travellers entering Ecuador, you will need your passport, motorcycle registration document and driver’s licence. The paperwork required to ride in Ecuador is as follows:
Immigration
Currently, citizens of most countries can enter Ecuador visa free, although there are 39 countries that do require a visa in advance.
Check this page to see if your country is on that list.
If you are visa free, then you simply need to turn up at the border to get your passport stamped in. You will typically be given 90 days, and it’s possible to extend by another 90 days within a 12-month period.
Temporary Import Permit (TIP)
You will require a temporary import to take your foreign registered motorcycle into Ecuador. To get your TIP you will need your vehicle registration document and driver’s licence. You will be asked to take photos of your motorcycle’s VIN number and number plate with a mobile phone given to you by customs.
Once the TIP is complete you will be sent an email there and then by the Customs officer with your TIP info. If you don’t have data on your phone, they will supply you with WiFi. Once you’ve got your email and your TIP you’re good to go.
An Ecuador motorcycle temporary import permit (TIP) lasts 90 days, running alongside your visa.
Motorcycle insurance
As far as we are aware, motorcycle insurance is not required for foreign vehicles entering Ecuador. We couldn’t find any insurance offices and were not asked for insurance either. If you really, really want insurance for Ecuador, you can buy a policy from Caroline (you’ll find her details in the Colombia Guide), but even she will tell you that you don’t need it.
Criminal record check
You no longer require a criminal record check to enter Ecuador. That rule has passed.
More on paperwork
If you’re planning a motorcycle trip and aren’t used to the different types of paperwork requirements, or are just trying to get your head around motorcycle paperwork in general, have a read of our packed paperwork for motorcycle travellers guide too.
READ MORE:
Getting into and out of Ecuador with a motorcycle
Ecuador shares land borders with Colombia and Peru and crossing between these countries is usually straight forward and easy.
However, border situations are always changing, so we recommend using the iOverlander app to find a border that suits your route and reading the current and up-to-date info left by other travellers to pick your border.
Note that border towns are rarely the nicest places to stay. So, it’s always worth getting to the border early with a full stomach and drinks and snacks to hand so you’re not rushing or stuck in mid-day heat.
Entering and exiting via Colombia is straight forward. There are a few easy land borders, but we recommend crossing at the Ipiales border and checking out the church in the town.
And between Peru and Ecuador there is a very quiet and friendly crossing at Balsa. Note, that this is an off-road ride through the Ecuador section. Once you’re in Peru it’s asphalt. It’s a beautiful ride though.
Shipping a motorcycle to Ecuador
Ecuador isn’t usually thought of as a shipping destination. But it can be done. We have a dedicated guide explaining how to ship a motorcycle from Canada to Ecuador. It doesn’t matter if you’re not shipping from Canada, regardless of where in the world you’re shipping from the section in our guide explaining the arrival info, documentation and info on the Ecuadorian shipping company will be the same regardless.
Additionally, if you’d like more info on shipping and how it works, have a read of our shipping guides and check out the recommended shipping companies page too.
READ MORE:
When to ride in Ecuador
Ecuador is on the equatorial belt (hence the name of the country, courtesy of the Spanish). That means it generally has a mild climate year-round. However, it’s near impossible to tell when the best time to ride is, made even trickier by the country being split into three distinct regions: the coast on the west, the Andes mountains in the middle and the Amazon in the east. If the weather is bad in one region, simply ride to another.
Money and costs
Ecuador isn’t as cheap as neighbouring Colombia and Peru, but it’s still very budget friendly.
Hotels, food, activities and petrol are all very affordable and it’s easy to live and travel in Ecuador for long periods of time.
Money can easily be withdrawn at ATMs in large towns, you’ll find them using Google Maps.
Petrol
Fuel is relatively cheap in Ecuador, but it can sometimes be tricky to find when you’re away from big towns and cities. However, all you have to do is ask the locals and you’ll eventually get pointed to a shack where they sell it out of bottles.
Accommodation
We recommend using iOverlander and Booking.com to find cheaper accommodation options in Ecuador. AirBnB is also surprisingly good too.
Camping is possible in Ecuador, but as always, use your common sense and don’t camp just anywhere. Speak to locals and make sure you have a good understanding of the area you’re planning on staying first.
For more info on camping, have a look at our camping guides.
READ MORE:
Hotels and accommodation we recommend in Ecuador
- Ipiales (in Colombia but a good border stop) – Hotel Royal Class
- Finca Sommerwind – Sommerwind – an absolute must for motorcycle travellers. Camping and tiny houses on offer.
- Mindo – Hostal El Descanso – one of our favourites.
- El Paraiso – Hostería Las Cucardas
- Laguna Quilotoa – Shalala lodge
- Salinas – Kachi Yaku Bed & Breakfast
- Banos – Hostal Chimenea SPA
- Misahuallí – Lodge France Amazonía
- Sucua – Hotel Romanza
Mechanics, tyres and repairs
Here’s a few recommendations on good motorcycle mechanics in Ecuador.
Freedom Bike Rental – If you’re heading to Quito, we recommend stopping in to say hi to the guys at Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental. They rent out bikes and organise tours, but they can also help with logistics, repairs, they stock motorcycle tyres, have accommodation and are just all-round great guys. This is an excellent base and place to head to. Freedom on Google Maps.
Ruta 40 – The mechanics at Ruta 40 come highly recommended by a lot of motorcycle travellers. Ruta 40 on Google Maps.
Morejon Motos Tienda y Servicio Multimarca – These guys do excellent work and are based in Cuenca. They stock a selection of tyres, oils and parts and the owner knows his stuff. Morejon on Google Maps.
Safety and security for motorcycle travellers in Ecuador
Ecuador has had its fair share of troubles and there are multiple states of emergency in Ecuador. There are still some regions in Ecuador which remain dangerous, but for the most part it’s a safe country to travel through.
For safety advice specific to Ecuador, we recommend having a look at the UK Gov website.
You’ll see a colour coded map on that page which shows the areas that the UK Gov advises against all but essential travel to. Note that if you travel to areas your government advises against, your travel insurance will be invalid while in that area.
As with everywhere in the world, use your common sense, don’t travel to the dangerous parts of towns and cities, talk to locals, don’t ride at night and consider where you’re staying.
READ MORE:
Avoiding dangerous areas
As mentioned above, the UK Gov website has a great map where you can see the areas to avoid in orange. That makes plotting a route through the green areas a lot easier. There may be times where you want or need to pass through orange zones, if you must, use your common sense and try to avoid the more remote roads and regions in those areas.
iOverlander
iOverlander is a great resource. You will find pins marked on the map where others have had trouble. But don’t take it as gospel because pins can be out of date. There were times we travelled along roads where there were pins that others had mentioned they had been robbed etc. But times change and those pins need updating. Still, it is a valuable guide.
Locals
Asking the locals is a great way to suss out a route or area. This is especially handy and useful if you’re thinking of taking a less travelled route or for off-road riding.
Don’t ride at night
This is an important one. For travellers, it’s sound advice wherever you are in the world. It’s not just the worry of banditos, but also because livestock, wild animals, sand, gravel, potholes and the dreaded speed bumps litter the roads. Always try and get to your accommodation way before it gets dark.
Common sense
Most importantly, use your common sense. If an area feels particularly dodgy or you have a lot of eyes on you without a lot of smiles accompanying them, just move on. The longer you travel the more you develop a kind of sense for these things regardless. And even if your sense is wrong, at least you avoided the potential risk.
READ MORE: How to Deal with Bribes
Keeping your motorcycle and gear safe
It’s always a good idea to find accommodation that has secure parking. And if it doesn’t, then pay to put your bike in a secure carpark with security for the night.
If you’re booking via booking.com then it’ll say whether or not it has parking and you can set a filter. If you’re on iOverlander, then again it will most likely say in the description. And if it’s via Google Maps, you can either look through the pictures or call and ask (one of the reasons we recommend buying a local SIM card so you can make calls).
We tend to put our bikes in safe parking areas belonging to the hotel or more commonly inside a hotel’s courtyard. On occasion, when a hotel doesn’t have that, they just let us bring our bikes inside. We have even brought the bikes into our rooms before.
And on occasion, we simply leave them outside. It’s dependent on the area and what the hotel staff say about safety.
Regarding kit, we leave both our panniers on the bikes. Alissa’s panniers hold our personal rucksacks and they come into the hotel and that’s it. Everything else stays on the bikes. My panniers hold the camping gear in one and the tools and miscellaneous in the other. Mine are secured with a Mosko Moto cable lock. This could be cut relatively easily but deters opportune thieves. In our crash bar bags we have other belongings. All of this stays on the bike overnight and when we leave the bikes to walk about and we’ve never had a problem.
When we started our round the world trip six years ago, we left with a big chain lock, disc lock and motorcycle cover. Now we have a small bicycle lock and very rarely use it. If you are concerned, a tatty old cover is a good idea to act as an invisibility cloak.
READ MORE: How to Keep Your Motorcycle and Gear Safe While Travelling
Health and safety
Vaccines
When travelling abroad, it’s important to read up on the vaccine recommendations and requirements of the countries you are travelling through.
The best website we have found, that clearly explains what is needed and required is travelhealthpro.org.uk. Simply click on each country you plan on travelling through and read through the vaccine recommendations.
Yellow Fever
There is a risk of yellow fever transmission throughout parts of Central and South America. And some countries in the Americas will require you to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate. So, we recommend getting the vaccine before travelling. You can find info on the travelhealthpro website, and the fitfortravel.nhs.uk website has additional info with a map of areas at risk of yellow fever.
READ MORE: How to Stay Healthy on the Road
Travel insurance and emergencies
We highly recommend getting decent personal travel insurance before you leave on your trip. It’s incredibly important that you’re covered in case of an accident and your medical bills will be taken care off.
If you are planning on heading into very remote regions and off-roading, then we also recommend carrying an emergency satellite GPS device so you can call for help if you have a medical emergency.
Alissa had a serious crash in Nepal years ago and we wish we had an SOS device back then. Luckily we had excellent travel insurance though, which took care of the £20,000 hospital bill. Do not risk it, make sure you are covered.
READ MORE:
Planning your motorcycle route through Ecuador
Ecuador is a little country and often overlooked and passed through quickly. But hang on, it may be small but it packs a punch.
It feels huge when you’re riding through it, vast, ever changing and like 10 countries in one. You could be riding through the hot, sweaty and green Amazon jungle one day and then be soaring above the clouds in rocky mountains the next.
Here’s some of our top recommendations of things to do and places to ride your motorcycle in Ecuador.
Mindo
Mindo is a short ride from Quito and a beautiful town to spend a few days. We listed a fantastic hotel in the accommodation section above, where the owner spent 25 years building a garden that attracts toucans, hummingbirds and animals. Base yourself there and go on some rides in the surrounding areas and cloud forests. There’s loads to do here including chocolate tasting, river rafting, some pretty epic hikes and bird watching.
Middle of the World
Just a short ride north of Quito is the equatorial belt. There’s a huge statue marking the middle of the world with huge lines and queues of tourists. But it’s not actually at 0 degrees latitude. Nearby is Patricio, who owns a museum and courtyard where the actual equator really runs through.
It’s well worth visiting his museum. He’s super knowledgeable and passionate, explains the line and shows you the points on a GPS. His courtyard has secure parking too and it’s all for a very nominal fee.
Patricio’s number is: +593 97 916 3566 and you can find him on Google here: Punto Cero.
Chimborazo
Chimborazo Mountain is the furthest point on Earth’s surface away from its centre, which means its closest you can get to the moon and outer space on Earth. That in itself makes it a well worth a visit. There are some excellent routes around the mountain and the off-road ride from Salinas to Chimborazo is a lot of fun.
Salinas
Not to be confused with Salinas on the coast, Salinas is not far from Chimborazo and a cool place to base yourself for a couple of days. It has Swiss influence and you’ll find lots of cheese here, amazing pizza restaurants, a chocolate factory and lots of handicrafts. Salinas on Google Maps.
Quilotoa Loop
Laguna Quilotoa is a photo you will have no doubt seen before if you’ve been researching a ride in Ecuador. It’s a water-filled caldera located in the Cotopaxi Province which formed around 800 years ago. There’s a great lodge we recommend staying at a 5 minute walk from the mirador.
Ecuador motorcycle routes
We recommend taking a look at the Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental website. Under their guided and self-guided tours they list and detail some amazing routes throughout Ecuador.
Riding gear
We always recommend choosing a lightweight, breathable and well vented adventure riding suit – and one that is not waterproof. Pack a cheap and light set of throwover waterproofs in case it rains. The aim of the game here is a layering system. It can get hot and cold in Ecuador and so you want to be in well vented kit with easy access to waterproofs and a warmer layer if needed.
For more info and guides on adventure riding gear have a look at the below guides.
READ MORE:
Rentals and tours
We’ve mentioned them a few times, and for good reason. Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental are the best. They’re a seriously well set-up outfit who have pretty much single-handedly put Ecuador on the map as a biking destination and made it accessible for riders from around the world.
They have a fantastic fleet of kitted out adventure bikes, gear and luggage. They offer excellent support, are great guys to deal with and will make sure you have an epic ride through Ecuador.
READ MORE:
Top tips
WhatsApp – We recommend joining the Ecuador WhatsApp group for overland motorcycle travellers.
Language – Learning the language goes a long way in any country you visit. And luckily, Spanish is a relatively easy language to learn for English speakers. We recommend at least learning the basics (hello, thank you, please etc) to be polite and make an effort. Anything else you learn goes a long way in improving your experience interacting and engaging with locals. But don’t worry, it’s easy and fun to communicate even if you really struggle with languages and you can get by without it. Communicating When You Don’t Speak the Language
Apps – Download the Google Translate app onto your phone, and then download Spanish onto it. This will work offline and you can easily communicate with locals using this app.
iOverlander – It’s a fantastic tool for overland travellers and is free. Download it and contribute wherever you can.
Maps.Me – A free offline map and navigation app. Simply download the maps for Ecuador and use it offline. The Best Free Apps for Motorcycle Travellers
SIM card – We recommend purchasing an Ecuador SIM card for your travels. It will make life easier when travelling and you can make phone calls to book hotels. They’re easy to buy from any Claro store. However, you may want more data or not want to have to deal with swapping your SIM out.
We personally use Holafly eSIMs. This way, you can get mobile data on your phone ready for when you cross into South America and you can get packages that cover the entire region. It’s the easiest and quickest way to have unlimited data on your phone.
Read more on motorcycle travel in Ecuador
Thanks for checking out the Motorcycle Travel Guide: Ecuador. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on motorcycle travel in Ecuador and South America that we recommend you read next.
Mad or Nomad is reader supported. We may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase products using affiliate links on our site. We’re not sponsored, are completely impartial and don’t run ads. So this helps us keep the site running and free. Thank you for your support.
Try these next…
Are you planning a motorcycle trip in Ecuador? Do you have any questions, tips or suggestions? Let us know in the comments below.
Fantastic content. Thank you.